Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
A scholar from long ago: David Lipscomb on “wiles”: ..acts or means of cunning deception; something as a ruse or stratagem, by which he is enable to trick or deceive. The idea here is that the devil does not carry on an open warfare.
Continued: He does not meet the Christian soldier face to face. Hence the necessity of being constantly armed to meet him whenever the attack is made. He presents the world in an alluring aspect; invites to pleasures that seem to be harmless, and leads in indulgence until we have gone so far that we cannot retreat. (Gospel Advocate commentary; p. 126)
Thank you for that reference.