Spiritual Warfare

When we hear terms like "spiritual warfare", many different things may come to mind. In my personal experience, I have found that there are usually two extreme positions regarding spiritual warfare. There are those who deny that there is a spiritual battle going on, and choose to be willingly ignorant of the war altogether. And then there are those who take the other 180 degree position of seeing a devil under every rock. I believe that the enemy delights in keeping Christians in one of those two states. The position of ignorance leaves a believer completely open to attack from the enemy. The position of hyper-warfare tends to keep believers so focused on what the devil is doing, that they limit the power of God in doing so (quite ironic, but it's true).

The word of God is very clear that we have an adversary, and the bible identifies who he is.

I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

You can choose to ignore your adversary, but the results will be deadly! Notice that he is always looking for someone to devour. It would behove all of us to be alert and stand guard against him. The truth of the matter is that every believer is in a war whether they know it or not.

II Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier

When you became a Christian, you were drafted into the service of our LORD. If you are a Christian, you are many things, but you are definitely a soldier. A soldier is not a part-time position. Even those in the earthly "reserves" are always on standby, and ready to be deployed at a moments notice. I often hear phrases like "before I was saved, I never had any trials and tests, but now that I'm a Christian, it seems there are constant battles." Well, the fact of the matter is that once you became a Christian, you just then entered the battle. Like it or not (and I know this sounds harsh), you were part of the devil's kingdom, but upon being born-again, you switched sides.

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: I Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Colossians 1:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son

The reason we didn't have as many troubles when we were sinners/unbelievers, is because we were part of a dark kingdom which even Jesus said wasn't divided against itself.

Matthew 12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

Not only is our enemy's kingdom not divided, but it is organized. The apostle Paul tells us in the letter to the Ephesians that our real battle is not with the people in our lives, but with the devil and his spiritual army united in ranks of principalities, powers, rulers, etc..

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.

The adversary would love for us to completely ignore him as a threat, and blame our fellow man for all the problems we encounter in this life.....or even worse, to blame our Creator. I think the key verse in the above passage is verse 10. We are to be strong in the LORD and in the power of HIS might. We are no match for the enemy in our own strength.

Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee

We must also understand that in order to combat our enemy, we can't find with natural weaponry. We must use spiritual weapons to defeat a spiritual enemy.

II Corinthians 10:3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 10:4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled

Notice again that we are in a war (verse 3). But instead of earthly weapons, we have spiritual weaponry at our disposal. We must renew our minds, and break and throw down all thoughts that are contrary to the Word of God. Notice also that we gain our revenge when we obey God completely (v.6)

In order to defeat the enemy, we MUST appropriate the armor of God each and every day!

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

It's important that we utilize ALL the elements of the armor of God. The enemy is always looking for an unprotected area, so that he can hit us with one of those fiery darts. Most of the armor described above is defensive, but we have the powerful offensive weaponry of the Word of God, and the power of prayer. I believe that praise is also a weapon that can and must be used.

Psalm 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

Now, Jesus quotes this passage in the gospel of Matthew, but He uses the word "praise" as a synonym for strength.

Matthew 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

And sometimes, drastic situations call for drastic means.

Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting

In addition to using our spiritual weapons, we must also be aware of the tactics of the enemy

Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves

In the book of Hosea the LORD says "my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge", and that's still true today. Failure to recognize the enemy and his tactics has deadly consequences. Many times, we bring spiritual attacks on ourselves because of our ignorance and disobedience. We should not give the enemy a legal right to attack us.

Ephesians 4:26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 4:27 Neither give place to the devil

If we refuse to tame our anger, and allow the night to fall with unforgiveness, we give the enemy a legal right to attack. Jesus told a parable about anger and unforgiveness that should frighten all of us into having merciful hearts. He spoke of people being turned over to the tormentors. I don't know about you, but I don't need torment in my life.

Matthew18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses

The bible has quite a bit to say about the dangers of unforgiveness. Paul warned the church that this is one of the main tactics of the enemy to gain an advantage over us.

II Corinthians 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices

None of us are immune to trials and troubles, but there are certain safeguards we can utilize

I John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Notice that if we strive to obey God and follow after holiness, we greatly limit access to our lives from the enemy. Verse 19 shows that the entire unsaved world is under the demonic influence of Satan. That explains why the world is in such a mess doesn't it?

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body
I personally believe our mouths get us into more trouble than any other factor in our spiritual life.

I Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof

Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth

Proverbs 12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. 12:14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him

If we make every effort to abide in Him, that is the safest place we could possibly be.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Psalm 91 is a wonderful psalm which describes the protective power of God over His children. Notice in the passage, what OUR responsibilities are in the deal. He protects, but we must "abide" and trust.

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust

We must remember that Jesus defeated the enemy, and we are to walk in His strength

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it

Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne

Jesus overcame the world praise God! And we can rejoice and walk in His victory.

Remember that the Holy Ghost in you, is greater than the enemy!

Luke 10:18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you

II Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind

I John 4: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Conclusion

This is not an exhaustive study on spiritual warfare. There are many books written on the subject....some good........some not so good. A word of caution is needed here. As I stated earlier, it's wrong to completely ignore the enemy, but also we must be careful not to go looking for a fight with the devil and his minions. Some well-meaning Christians have brought about confusion and chaos in their lives, by becoming so fascinated with the demonic world that they lose touch with reality. As much as the devil loves it when we are ignorant of his devices, I think that he also delights when we are more interested in what he is doing than what God is doing. And by all means, if you are not a Christian, you should not even attempt any type of warfare against the enemy. You could bring great harm, even loss of life upon yourself. This study is aimed at helping the Christian who may be dealing with spiritual attacks and may or may not be aware of what's happening to them or how to deal with their struggles effectively.

Most importantly, seek the face of God and pray without ceasing. If we would all do that, we would probably eliminate many unnecessary crises in our lives.

God bless you as you study His Word!

Home