Have you ever asked yourself this question? Maybe you grew up in the Church and no one discussed spiritual warfare with you. As an adult Christian, you may have started to hear words and phrases such as:
…“Put on the whole armor of God…” (Ephesians 6:11).
… “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age…” (Ephesians 6:12)
…”Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
These words, pulled from well-known passages in the Bible, can be uneasy on the mind. However, you can’t deny the fact that sometimes your life experiences make you feel as if the world is against you, or that someone, or something, is holding you down or tripping you up with every step you take.
Saints, this is spiritual warfare. Whether you understand it or not, it is around you. And Believers are those who the enemy attempts to trip up the most.
Unpscking a few common questions about spiritual warfare, namely:
1. Is spiritual warfare biblical?
2. Should I fear spiritual warfare?
3. Why haven’t I heard much about spiritual warfare in church?
4. How do I identify a spiritual battle?
5. How do I overcome spiritual battles?
Spiritual warfare is a Christian concept of the ongoing fight against supernatural evil forces. There are many forms of spiritual warfare, including prayer, decrees, and declarations, fasting, laying on of hands, and anointing with oil. Each of these forms serves different purposes and may or may not be seen as elements of “warfare” to those unfamiliar with the concept of spiritual war.
Many times, something will be sent by the enemy to frighten, distract and destroy the task that God has intended for us to complete. Touching what we are not assigned to can often have dramatic and sometimes deadly results, because we have chosen to operate outside of alignment of God’s will.
1. Is Spiritual Warfare Biblical? Yes, spiritual warfare is biblical. We have to wrap our hearts and minds around this fact first. If we don’t understand this fundamental truth, we cannot walk in victory in our daily lives. Some say that as Christians we are immune from the enemy’s attacks; Jesus won the war, so there are no more battles. In part, this is true. Jesus did win the war for our salvation, but there are still many spiritual battles we need to win on a daily basis if we are to truly live in Christ, find a place in His Kingdom of peace now, and experience breakthroughs with worries that have plagued us for years.
Unfortunately, this blind thinking opens up weak spots for the devil to prey. Blindness manifests itself as a lack of vigilance. Satan tempted Jesus, yet He was acutely aware of the evil forces around him, leading Him to a path of victory over the temptations.
1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
We are in a battle of some sort every day. It’s not a battle we can see, but this knowledge allows us to be more aware so we understand how to defend ourselves. The enemy can never take our salvation, but he can tear up the outer courts of our lives, introducing fear, doubt, and unbelief into our thoughts.
2. Should I Fear Spiritual Warfare?
Your faith in Christ answers this question. If you belong to the Lord, you don’t have to fear! The devil will tempt you to fear, but cling to the hope you have in your identity clothed in the Messiah’s righteousness. Yeshua Messiah demonstrated His victory over Satan when He died on the cross and rose on the third day.
Jesus proclaimed that we have been given authority over the power of the enemy. Therefore, when you are afraid, declare this truth in Yeshua’s name. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”—Luke 10:19
3. Why Haven’t I Heard Much About Spiritual Warfare In Church? In our Western culture, Satan’s tools of attack manifest in a number of ways…
• Lying
• Anger
• Unforgiveness
• Accusations
• Doubt
• Fear
• Depression
• Bitterness and resentment
• Pride
• Anxiety
They are often dismissed as things we must simply struggle through or use our own strength to persevere. These temptations and sins usually go unnoticed and undealt with for many years. They start out small… and grow into something that can be all-consuming.
Many don’t recognize the spiritual component associated with these burdensome yokes, but they slowly steal away the abundant life God desires for His children.
Ultimately, it goes back to the most significant command we often forget: “Seek God above all else.” His Spirit reveals the attacks and provides a way out.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear ”—1 Corinthians 10:13
The devil uses our weak minds of forgetfulness to accomplish his will of chaos. For this reason, God commands us to “remember,” over and over again in His Word.
4. How Do I Identify Spiritual Battles?
The enemy uses our emotions and circumstances to bring about confusion. He is the father of lies… remember this! When you find yourself listening to those whispers in your ear that lead to a lack of peace or confusion about something that was once clear, this is a sign the enemy is trying to distract you from God’s purpose for your life.
Here are a few statements you might say that indicate a spiritual battle is roaring in your life.
• I have a lack of peace.
• I’m going through a trial, and I want to quit.
• I am angry and frustrated about my situation.
• I can’t forget my broken past.
• I doubt God’s purpose for my life.
In consistency lies the victory. As soon as there is a lull in your spiritual life, the enemy is eager to put on the pressure.
5. How Do I Overcome Spiritual Battles?
You overcome spiritual battles by the Word of God. “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”’”—Matthew 4:4
1. Start with a humble and repentant heart in prayer.
2. Ask Him to reveal how you are engaging in the battle.
3. Declare and decree His promises.
4. Proclaim your identity in Christ.
5. Thank God for who He is and what He promises to do.
God’s Words of Encouragement…
• “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33
• “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”—Romans 12:21
•. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”—1 Corinthians 15:57
•. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”—1 John 4:4
•. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”—Revelation 3:21
Here are some common questions & answers about Spiritual Warfare:
Q: What is spiritual warfare?
A: Spiritual warfare is a Christian concept of the ongoing fight against the supernatural evil forces at play in our world. These battles are continuously fought and can take the form of everyday struggles and temptations.
Q: What does it mean to be a spiritual warrior?
A: A spiritual warrior is one who fights back against the forces of evil in their lives. Someone who prays, anoints the sick, fasts, takes other steps to grow closer to God, is fighting back against evil, and is taking part in the overall battles of the good and evil forces of the world as a spiritual warrior.
Q: What is a spiritual force?
A: The most basic definition of spiritual forces is those of good and evil, those controlled by God and those controlled by Satan. These forces manifest themselves in the forms of things and feelings we find familiar, so they can either compel us to do good or coerce us to do evil.
Q: What can I do if I think the enemy is attacking?
A: The power of prayer cannot be understated—it helps us to draw closer to God and carry out His will. Finding a community of Believers will also help make you stronger and encourage you all to help each other in fighting your individual battles. You can also seek the prayers and guidance of spiritual leaders in warfare?
Your faith in Christ answers this question. If you belong to the Lord, you don’t have to fear! The devil will tempt you to fear, but cling to the hope you have in your identity clothed in the Messiah’s righteousness. Yeshua Messiah demonstrated His victory over Satan when He died on the cross and rose on the third day.
Jesus proclaimed that we have been given authority over the power of the enemy. Therefore, when you are afraid, declare this truth in Yeshua’s name. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”—Luke 10:19