Joseph Z Podcast: Red Church with Special Guest Rick Renner
March 29, 2026

Episode Overview

In this dynamic episode of the Red Church series, Joseph Z welcomes Rick Renner—a renowned author, broadcaster, and prophetic voice. Focusing on the theme of spiritual warfare, Renner delivers a deeply insightful exegesis of Ephesians 6:12, breaking down Paul’s famous passage about the battles believers face in the spiritual realm. Drawing on historical and linguistic analysis, Renner illuminates the reality, seriousness, and practical implications of spiritual conflict for Christians today, providing encouragement, revelation, and tools for victory.

Main Discussion & Key Insights

1. The Relevance and Reality of Spiritual Warfare

• Neglect of the Topic: Rick laments that spiritual warfare, once frequently discussed, is less talked about today, even though “the devil did not disappear” ([01:45]).

  • “People kind of forgot about it. But the devil did not disappear. The devil is still working.” — Rick Renner ([01:50])

• Ephesians 6:12 as a Foundation:

  • Rick urges listeners to study this passage, which forms the biblical basis for understanding spiritual struggle.
  • He references his book Dress to Kill, which explores these themes in greater depth.

2. “Wrestle Not Against Flesh and Blood”—A Historical Analysis

• Greek Word Study: “Wrestle” (pale, P-A-L-E)

  • Renner explains the Greek term for “wrestle,” situating it within the context of ancient Greek and Roman combat sports ([03:10]).

  • He draws a vivid parallel to the palaestra (“the house of wrestling”), emphasizing the brutal, all-encompassing nature of the contests:

    • Wrestlers: No holds barred, often resulted in severe injuries.
    • Boxers: Leather straps with metal nails—the violence often left fighters disfigured.
    • Pancration: The deadliest event, combining wrestling and boxing with weapons—“They fought until one lived and one died” ([08:30]).

  • “Spiritual warfare can be a back-snapping, eye-gouging, blood-spilling event if not up to it.” — Rick Renner ([09:34])

3. The Enemy’s Hierarchy

• Principalities, Powers, Rulers, Wickedness

  • The Greek terms each have distinct meanings:

    • Principalities (archē): Ancient, high-ranking spiritual powers—“like princes” ([13:19]).
    • Powers (exousia): Those given delegated authority “to do whatever they wish” ([13:47]).
    • Rulers of Darkness (kosmokratōr): Ordered, disciplined demonic forces, likened to graduates of a military boot camp ([14:10]).
      • “He actually trains evil to do what evil does... There are some demon spirits that do nothing but cancer... spirits of perversion...” — Rick Renner ([15:38])
    • Spiritual Wickedness (ponēros) in “high places”: Describes malevolent forces operating in our immediate environment—not in outer space, but “in the air where we live” ([17:43]).

  • “The devil is not accidental in what he does. He is very serious in dispatching evil into the world to victimize the human race.” — Rick Renner ([16:18])

4. Purpose of Paul’s Teaching—Preparation not Fear

• Renner clarifies that Paul’s intent isn’t to scare, but to prepare believers ([18:11]).
  • “God’s not in the business of scaring, but he is in the business of preparing us.” — Rick Renner ([18:12])

5. The Call to Action—Equipping with God’s Armor

• Ana Labette: “Take up again”

  • Rick deciphers the Greek term for “take up” (“ana labette”), explaining it is a command to repetitively pick up the armor believers have dropped and wear it with purpose ([20:13]).

  • Using the context of the Ephesian church’s struggles, he calls listeners to return to the power and weaponry of God.

  • “If you moved away from the power of God, you can move back into it. If you’ve dropped your weaponry, you can pick it up again.” — Rick Renner ([20:38])

6. Standing in the Evil Day—What Does This Mean?

• Defining “the Evil Day”

  • Not some future apocalypse, but any day evil tries to invade your life: sickness, strife, financial difficulty, etc. ([22:00])
  • “The evil day is any day that evil gets in your day.” — Rick Renner ([22:09])

• Standing—The True Greek Meaning

  • Challenges misinterpretations: it’s not passive endurance, but being left victorious and standing at the end ([22:17]).

    • “Having brought everything to an ultimate conclusion, you will be the one standing. This is God’s photo of you at the end of the fight.” — Rick Renner ([22:22])

  • David and Goliath imagery: David with his foot on the fallen giant, sword raised high—so is the believer at the end of their spiritual conflict.

• Practical Encouragement:

  • Even if you’re in the middle of a fight, proclaim your victory.
    • “You may be struggling at the moment, but when this deal is done, I’m the one that’s going to be standing. The enemy... is going to be under my feet.” — Rick Renner ([23:00])

7. Final Exhortation and Prayer

• Rick closes with a heartfelt prayer, asking God to “prepare, not scare,” and encouraging listeners to take up their spiritual weaponry and push evil back ([24:20]).
  • He assures listeners that even if they’ve dropped their spiritual armor, “you can reach down, pick it up, put it back on again. It is instantaneous. It’s ours for the taking” ([24:57]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the modern neglect of spiritual warfare:

  • “It’s very sad that people no longer touch on these verses because it’s no longer popular to talk about the devil. But my friends, he didn’t disappear. He’s just working incognito if you don’t know how he operates.” — Rick Renner ([24:00])

• On spiritual adversity:

  • “The devil is threatened by you, and he will come to attack...” — Rick Renner ([11:47])

• On Christian victory:

  • “When this deal is done, you’re the one that’s going to be standing, and the enemy’s going to be under your feet.” — Rick Renner ([22:40])

Additional Key Segments and Declarations

• Partner Acknowledgement and Ministry Vision ([25:55])

  • Joseph Z thanks supporters and highlights the mission:
    • “A million for a billion... A million clear-eyed, clear-minded reformers to go win a billion.”

• Spiritual Authority and Practical Warfare ([27:00])

  • Joseph Z introduces his book: Punishing the Darkness: Spiritual Warfare That Works, focused on real results and breaking cycles of anxiety, fear, offense, and spiritual fatigue.

• Audience Encouragement and Prophetic Declarations

  • “Even on a bad day, you are anointed to be the very best there is.” — Joseph Z ([30:41])
  • “God has called you—a man or woman with a revelation from God Almighty is not at the mercy of a culture going mad.” — Joseph Z ([30:50])

• Faith and Covenant Rights ([29:14], [30:16])

  • Listeners are reminded: “The minute I said yes to Jesus was the minute I attained all of life and godliness and righteousness and wholeness. It all belongs to me. I attain it the moment I say yes.”
  • Declarations of breakthrough in minds, households, bodies, and relationships in Jesus’ name.

• Prophetic Call to Intercession ([29:50])

  • “For I am raising up an equipped warrior class group of intercessors. I see mantles for intercession coming on people...” — Joseph Z

Invitation for Salvation ([31:16])

• A clear invitation and simple prayer are given for those who have not yet accepted Jesus, followed by instructions to connect with the ministry for follow-up.

Conclusion

This episode offers both a scholarly and practical deep-dive into the realities of spiritual warfare, urging listeners to awaken to the seriousness of spiritual conflict while equipping them with hope, knowledge, and the tools of victory provided by God. Through historical context, Greek studies, and personal encouragement, Rick Renner and Joseph Z empower believers to resist, overcome, and stand victorious, no matter the challenges they face.

For further resources:

• Rick Renner’s book: Dress to Kill
• Joseph Z’s book: Punishing the Darkness: Spiritual Warfare That Works
• Visit josephz.com for more content and to connect for prayer or partnership.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction & theme
• 01:45 – Why spiritual warfare matters today
• 03:10 – Ancient meaning of “wrestle” (pale, palaestra)
• 08:30 – Ancient combat sports & implications for spiritual struggle
• 13:19 – Hierarchy of spiritual enemies explained
• 18:11 – Not to scare, but to prepare
• 20:13 – Call to “take up” the armor of God (ana labette)
• 22:00 – What is “the evil day?”
• 22:17 – The victory: True meaning of “having done all to stand”
• 24:20 – Prayer and encouragement
• 25:55 – Partnership, ministry vision, practical application
• 29:14 – Faith, covenant declarations, and intercession
• 31:16 – Salvation invitation