Spiritual warfare, in a Christian sense, is the battle between believers and spiritual forces of evil. The battle occurred for the control of Satan and his demonic forces. It is a reality which has been expressed in many parts of the Bible, it describes a cosmic warfare which affects life as we know it and the spiritual life of every individual. The distinction is the Bible represents this warfare not as a physical war, but rather a spiritual war demanding spiritual knowledge and equipment. In this article we will study spiritual warfare as presented in the Bible, including the role of participants, the fields of battle, and the strategies for success. It focuses on who the spiritual adversaries are, where it all takes place in believers’ lives, and what resources God has made available for addressing and overcoming this conflict. The passage-specific sections discuss the biblical texts on which issues of spiritual warfare can focused, as well as its relevance for the Christian life.
What does the Bible say about spiritual warfare?
The Bible depicts spiritual warfare as an actual conflict that believers are part of today. It is a war without the use of physical weapons. Instead, it works in the spiritual realm. In Ephesians 6:12 Paul writes, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This verse quite clearly shows the opponents to be extra material beings with major impact to the material world. There are such passages in the Old Testament, which some scholars understand to be the result of intercession in a spiritual battle, an example is the opposition encountered by the angel speaking to Daniel (Daniel 10:12-13). The teaching is more definite in the New Testament, and the Gospels and Epistles tell us more. Jesus also had encounters with demons, healing those possessed by them and showing he was over them (cf Mark 1:23-27; Luke 8:26-33). Part of the disciples’ commissioning was that they were given power and authority over unclean spirits (Matt. 10:1). The reality, and operation, of Satan and his allies is also a perennial motif. The spiritual warfare we see in Scripture includes the efforts of wicked spirits to frustrate God’s purposes, deceive mankind and weaken the faith of the saints. These activities take many forms. In the Biblical account of Satan tempting Jesus in the desert (Matthew 4:1–11), this can be seen as a direct assault. Peter admonishes believers to “Be alert and of sober mind. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). This is predatory behaviour of the spiritual enemy. It is a struggle for the souls, intellects, and hearts of people. The Bible includes examples of the work of the spiritual world. The story of Job that appears in the OT tells us of Satan’s hand against Job, who briefly was allowed by God to ravage Job within the confines God set (Job 1:6-12). These stories indicate that there are other spiritual agents who are hostile to God and want to work to the detriment of humanity. The New Testament makes it clear that Christ has bestowed on his followers more power and authority than the adversary. Colossians 2:15 – “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” This makes Christ’s victory the principle upon which the believer is able to withstand the assaults of the spiritual world. Christians are people who are called to acknowledge that reality is deeper that what we can see. There are countless struggles, temptations, and battles which might have a spiritual side to them. This context bars attributing all ills to the merely physical or psychological and negates the ascription of spiritual forces to the adversity in each and every case. Judgment becomes critical. The Bible gives us directions and weapons of warfare to maintain our standing.
Participants of Biblical Spiritual Warfare Whose side are you on?
Biblical Warfare is Spiritual warfare likewise breaks down into a number of key players. Three actors dominate this battle: God, the spiritual hosts of wickedness as represented by Satan, and of course humans (especially through believers in Christ). God, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit form the triune God, The Holy Bible is the authoritative word of God which contains the bread of life and believers has access to God’s authority and power. That God is the Most High sovereign over all spiritual powers and all creation is the basic truth (Psalm 103:19). Literal Vision Christ’s defeat of sin and death by his atoning work on the cross (Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14) involves his defeat of the “powers of darkness,” such as the devil, as well. The Spirit of God fills believers, giving them power for living, serving, using their gifts, and being a down payment and guarantee that they belong to God and ensuring they are able to do as God’s guides and sustainers of believers (Eph 1:13-14; Rom 8:26). The spiritual powers of evil are led by Satan (the devil) and his subordinate demons (fallen angels). Satan is presented as the “prince of this world” (John 12:31), the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and the adversary of the saints (Revelation 12:10). He commands an army of demons, demons that do his will deceiving and destroying and opposing God’s will. The Bible suggests they do certain things, tempting people, spreading false doctrine, inflicting illness and mental illness and trying to stop the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 2 v 18, 2 Corinthians 11 v 14-15, Acts 10 v 38). Those who put their faith in Jesus Christ engage in this warfare. They are seated “in Christ,” and the Messianic victory that all urban residents share in (see Ephesians 2:6). Consider, while the victory is won, we are to resist the devil (not sit around and hope for a miracle) and he will flee (James 4:7). This resistance includes, and involves a standing fast in your faith using the spiritual equipment God supplies, and wearing a life and character that reflects gospel holiness. The fight is not for salvation (which is by grace through faith) but rather for faithfulness, fruitfulness, and the expansion of God’s kingdom in the teeth of opposition. All believers are implicated, in all stages of their spiritual life, because Satan attacks the faith of everyone who belongs to Christ. Other spiritual creatures, such as angels who work on God’s behalf, also play an active role in the wider spiritual economy and sometimes help believers, but the emphasis in New Testament teaching about spiritual warfare is on the believer’s active resistance of the enemy on the basis of God’s provision (Hebrews 1:14, Daniel 10:12-13).
Where Is the Battlefield of Biblical Spiritual Warfare?
Real spiritual warfare as described in the Bible occurs on several fronts and mainly involves believers and the cummunity at large. They occupy the mind, the will, the emotions, relationships, and the institutions of society. The battle is, first and foremost, in the mind. The dark ones who are trying to steer thoughts and plant question into the minds and hearts of people, to elicit deception and to create confusion. Paul deals with this when he talks about taking “captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). This means that thoughts are not necessarily of your own making, so to speak, and must be discerned and brought into captivity to truth. The enemy wants to pervert our view of God, of who we are, of reality. Such temptations can be for sinful thoughts, for doubts about God’s goodness or his promises, or for embracing falsehood that denies the truth of the Bible. The will is yet another battleground. Spiritual war includes temptation to sin and giving into desires that are not in God’s will. The internal battle for good, what is wrong with us and the battle being described in Romans 7. The enemies offer seductive though destructive options. Resisting is to be an act of will, undertaken with the determination given by the Holy Spirit, is to make a decision to obey God. Emotions are also affected. The wicked can also cause you to feel fear, depression, dread and become discouraged. Although not all negative feelings are from the occult, the enemy will capitalize on emotions to heed faith and ministry. Peace, joy and hope are three fruits of the Spirit and the enemy hates them. Relationships can be a battlefield. Spiritual conflict and opposition can exacerbate conflict, division, unforgiveness and bitterness either between believers or in families. Christians are encouraged to resolve conflict speedily, and to make forgiveness a priority in order to avoid giving Satan an opportunity (Ephesians 4:26-27, 31-32). Apart from the personal, there are also church and world aspects to spiritual warfare. The enemy wants to obstruct the Gospel, sow discord in congregations, propagate ungodly beliefs, and engage systems in society to resist the mighty hand of God. The “powers of this dark world” mentioned in Ephesians 6:12 gives an impression of spiritual authority at work in the world system that is antagonistic to God. This is not to say that demons possess or control all forms of human institutions, but that the spiritual forces of evil are assaulting ungodliness and opposition to the truth and righteousness of the divine in the world. The spiritual plane, also known as “heavenly realms,” is where the real power issues are at (Ephesians 6:12). But, it is in the lives of people, congregations, and indeed, our societies here on earth where this battle plays out.
What Are the Weapons and Resources in the Bible for Spiritual Warfare?
The Bible even records certain types of weapons and materials that God gives to the Christian, so the Christian will be able to fight efficiently in this spiritual war. These are divine provisions and deeds, not human feats and acts or material methods. Ephesians 6:10-18 is another key passage for this topic, the “armor of God.” The armor of God is composed of six pieces, and prayer. Here’s what each of the pieces means:
- The Belt of Truth: Truth is like a foundation that holds everything else together. That includes understanding and clinging to the truth of God as we find it in the Bible so that the lies of the enemy can be exposed and warded off. John 8:32 reads, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
- The Breastplate Of Righteousness: Righteousness covers the vital organs, depicting the Christian’s acquisitions of righteousness in Christ and a life of righteousness. This “defense” prevents the attacks of the enemy and diminishes the ravaging effects of sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
- Feet Shod With the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace: From this readiness arises the firm standing and going forward of the believers. The Gospel, the tidings of peace with God through Christ, is one aspect of that attitude and progress in which the Christian warrior is to stand and press forward. Romans 10:15 asks, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
- The Shield of Faith: In addition to all these, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. These arrows are temptations, doubts, accusations. Belief on the Word of God and His Promises puts out such attacks. Hebrews 11:6, “and without faith it is impossible to please God.”
- The Helmet of Salvation: Salvation guards the mind, the vital organ of decision and belief. Confidence in salvation is to avoid falling into despair, doubt and the enemy’s lies that attack your identity in Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 speaks of the hope of salvation being a helmet.
- The Sword of the Spirit, Which is the Word of God: This pictures the weapon of offence. The truth (The Word of God, The Bible) is what we use to counter the lies and attack of the enemy. Scripture was one weapon Jesus used in defying Satan’s temptations (Matthew 4:1-11). They use the Word of God for discernment, instruction, and fighting well spiritually.
In addition to the armor, prayer is a critical tool. The description of the armor of God ends in Ephesians 6:18 with an exhortation to prayer “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Prayer is the means by which we tap into God’s power, direction, and protection. It forms a telephone line of conversation and a bower on the divine power! Prayers of a somewhat different nature, such as intercession, petition, and spiritual warfare prayers, factor in. Prayer, Fasting, worship, the fellowship of the saints (prayer and support). Therefore, maintaining balance is a Godly focus when dealing with deliverance issues and engaging the enemy! Spiritual gifts, including discernment, prophecy, and healing, can also operate in the milieu of spiritual battle by exposing enemy tactics, declaring God’s truth, or breaking the power of a spiritual assault (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Understanding the Armor of God: A Detailed Study offers a more detailed look at these spiritual allocations. Submitting to God, resisting the devil, according to James 4:7 (Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”), constitutes an active step. This resistance is opposition: saying “no” to temptation, refusing false thinking, standing in truth. It is enabled by surrendering to God’s will and rule. The loosing battle against spiritual powers is His. Believers share in this victory by living in him, and with the resources he’s provided. The source of power to engage in battle comes from God not from human ability or methodology.
What Does Spiritual Warfare Look Like in the Life of the Believer?
Spiritual battle plays out in various forms in the lives of believers. These expressions frequently have to do with the resistance to sin, doubt, fear, discouragement, dishonesty, or service to Christ. When these manifestations are recognized, believers are able to identify the type of battle being waged and respond accordingly. One of the most frequent is that of continual inducement to evil. Though temptation comes from the flesh and the world system, the Bible tells us that the enemy uses temptation to pull believers away from God (1 Peter 5:8). This can be in the form of lures into immoral acts, greed, arrogance, wrath or acting against the stipulations of God. Unbelief in God, his Word, or in one’s salvation is another form. This enemy is known as the “father of lies” (John 8:44) and works to destroy faith by planting seeds of unbelief, reasons not to believe God’s character or promises, or doubt over one’s relationship with God. This can be especially fierce when the faithful find themselves in troubles or unrequited prayers. Fear and panic are just as much tools in spiritual warfare. With clinical anxiety, there is a medical and psychological component to it, but spiritual attacks can magnify fear, increasing the level of helplessness or dread, or an irrational fear that ties up believers and prevents them from continuing a forward march in faith: giving, praying, walking in the promises of God. 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” This juxtaposes the work of the Spirit with spirit of fear. Deception is an important form. The devil tries to deceive God’s people by untrue or perverted teachings, false images, illusionary realities, or falsehood that contrasts with God’s Word (2 Corinthians 11:14). This can range from subtle distortion of the scriptures to outright heresy. The gift of discernment (1 Cor. 12:10) is necessary to identify and dismiss such deception. Resistance to Christian ministry and power is another arena of where it has been exhibited. For some people as they step into service to God, evangelism or work for God, there is a seemingly strange resistance, opposition, and an overwhelming spirit of discouragement. This may take the form of complacency, strife, sudden problems or overt opposition from Christians inspired by hostile spiritual power. The apostle Paul talks about Satan thwarting his desires to visit the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 2:18. Such spiritual conflict could also appear in the context of a spiritual oppression, which is an external attack, harassment and influence by evil spirits (in contrast to demon possession by an internal evil spirit). It can be something as negative thinking, thoughts of despair, or an inability to pray and read your Bible. There are occasions in the Bible where we find predicaments that can be linked with demon possession (however, not always every time someone has a problem the first explanation should be a demon, this requires careful biblical judgment). By finding out that these could be legitimate expressions, disciples can confront them with the spiritual weapons God has given to us and not employ only human weapons. It’s using truth, wielding faith, praying, and connecting with other believers.
What Part Does Prayer Play in Spiritual Warfare?
Prayer is pivotal and essential in the warfare of the spirit. It is the key avenue by which God’s power is made available to us and by which we receive guidance, express dependence, and take our place in the spiritual world as those who are “in Christ”. Even further, in Ephesians 6:18 it is set in place directly following the description of the armor of God: it is that which activates and goes with the use of the armor. Prayer enables worshippers to tap into God’s strength instead of their own. Paul says praying “in the Spirit,” that is, prayer that is led and energized by the Holy Spirit, in harmony with God’s will and purposes (Romans 8:26-27). It has the potency of power and effectiveness. Prayer for others is also a substantial aspect of spiritual war. Prayer for others fortifies them against the enemy, brings up support in their battles and postures unity (Eph 6:18). It is also crucial to intercede for those who are not yet Christians, that God would “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). So to address specific prayers against the enemy’s works directly is engaging in spiritual war in prayer. This is not the ‘I am the big man who tells the devil what to do’ response, often followed in a kind of ‘cop-show Jesus’ tirade about the devil’s doom, that the example of the Bible does not actually encourage us to make as believers, but rather it is addressing God, asking God to bind up the enemy, God to thwart his plans, for God to guard individuals, communities, from his devices. Jesus instructed his disciples to pray, “Deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). Prayer is a kind of primary mode of discernment. Prayer: When praying, believers ask God to give them wisdom and spiritual insight to recognize an attack when it comes; to know the source of the lie; and to know how to act and respond to the situation as Scripture teaches (see James 1:5). Solicit the Lord for the spirit of discernment to see if the trial is syndromes, human frailty, or the devil. Regular praying life creates spiritual resilience and retains the bond to God, which is the basis of protection and strength. The neglect with regards to prayer does leave a void for believers. Jesus told His disciples to “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Matthew 26:41), associating prayer with the battle against temptation – a key aspect of spiritual warfare. Corporate and public prayer also adds to spiritual warfare. Churches coming into agreement to pray for various specific needs, against the spiritual strongholds that hinder ministry and for God’s will to be done in their community, will have powerful spiritual effects. Acts 4:23-31 shows that the early church prayed under pressure, leading to boldness and the place being shaken, which was a sign of God’s intervention. At its very core, prayer is the very breath of the spiritual life, and the essential means by which the believer walks in dependence upon God, tapping into his power, and using the spiritual armor and authority given to us in Christ in order to stand and withstand against the dark powers arrayed against us.
Is Spiritual Warfare About Deliverance?
Also, deliverance can be a part of spiritual warfare, especially on those who are heavily oppressed or, in some cases we see in the Bible, possessed by evil spirits. Deliverance is another name for freeing someone from demonic attack. In the New Testament, the gospels report of demonaic possessions and of Jesus casting demons out of an individual (Mark 1:23-27, Luke 8:26-33, Matthew 8:28-34). These cases illustrate the exalted authority of Christ over the demons. Jesus also gave authority to his disciples to exorcise demons (Matthew 10:1, Mark 6:7). Then the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name” (Luke 10:17). The biblical model of deliverance is Jesus is the one who casts the demons out, usually through prayer and faith in the name of Jesus Christ as it is authority over all evil. It is mentioned In the Bible that a person prays to God invoking Jesus, that is the name called, using this name gives us power over any name or in the name of anything. It’s not a power coming from the believer who exercised it but an expression of Christ’s victory that applies to a particular place. The authority of Jesus’ name, (Acts 16:18, Acts 19:13-17).
NOTE: There is a difference between demonic possession and demons oppression. Demonic possession that is described in the Bible is when an evil spirit enters into and inhabits a person. There is scriptural evidence to indicate that a born-again Christian (one indwelt by the Holy Spirit; 1 Corinthians 6:19) cannot be demon-possessed. But Christians can be oppressed by demons, and this is the presence of an over-powering, harassment, a kind of influence that takes over your mind and leads to overwhelmingly negative emotions or physical ailments. In Christianity, deliverance ministry refers to the activity of cleansing a person of demons and evil spirits in order to address problems manifesting in their life as a result of the presence of said entities and pursuing the individual’s complete healing through the power of the Holy Spirit. This frequently includes prayer, renouncing any occult practices or sin that may have given the demons a “foothold” (Ephesians 4:27) and acting on the person’s faith in Christ’s authority. But now discernment becomes necessary to differentiate the true cause of a struggle – is it a spiritual oppression, psychological, physical, or from some other source? Not all issues or sins are due to the work of demons requiring deliverance. The Bible teaches us that every believer has been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13). This initial part of delivering from the sway of the kingdom of Satan takes place at the time of conversion. Still in the midst of that warfare, believers may experience today the vestiges of demonic resistance or oppression in specific areas for which prayer and faith are necessary to evoke Christ’s authority and deliverance. The Prebaptismal Exorcism of the Catechumenate For believers who are ripe for deliverance ministry believes the deliverance of Christians is biblically based but the church up to this stage in history has failed to do deliverance. But the fact that believers have this authority in Christ to stand against the enemy and have victory over his influence is a central biblical teaching.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF STANDING FIRM IN THE BIBLICAL SPIRITUAL BATTLE
There is also something that is required of us to stand, and that is standing firm, which is an important stance and it is a command in the biblical spiritual war as we see it, for example, in Ephesians 6:11 – “Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” This command is reiterated in Ephesians 6:13: “Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Firmness is important on a number of levels. First, you stand because the victory is already Christ’s. Believers fight not for victory but from victory. There is nothing to fight (Colossians 2:15 – Christ has already won). Standfast is to hold or retain what was gained through Christ and not to give ground up to the enemy. It involves a part defensive mode; it’s a holding onto one’s stance through faith in the face of assault. Secondly, standing is to remain rooted and unshaken in faith even amidst persecution. Spiritual battle is not one battle taking place but an ongoing one. What it means to stand firm: It involves the willingness to face challenges, temptations, pressure without letting go of our loyalty to Christ the Lord or giving in to our enemy’s tactics. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised (Hebrews 10:36). Third, to stand firm is to oppose the devil’s deception or discouragement or intimidation of God’s children. The devil uses all kinds of “schemes” (Ephesians 6:11) — sly tricks and traps intended to stumble believers. Standing means recognizing these schemes and saying no to them. This calls for carefulness and discrimination. Fourth, standing has been made possible through full armor. Each element of armor serves as an emblem for a truth, attribute, or resource we have in God – truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God – each of which we can utilize through prayer. You don’t simply stand by willpower; you stand by leaning on and using God’s provision. This armor enables the Christ follower to stand against the enemy. And, lastly standing is an evidence of faithfulness to God. The Lord commands us to oppose the devil (James 4:7). Resistance to spiritual resistance reflects one’s faith in the power of God and His will. It is an act of faith to believe that God is capable of preserving and maintaining his witness. Standing shows that God is “causing” the believer to stand because of the work of His power. The fight is the Lord’s and standing strong is the believing Him to fight for those who will take their stand with Him.
What is the Parent Topic of the Bible called Spiritual Warfare?
The broader theological background of spiritual warfare in the Bible is the parent subject of Christianity and Biblical Theology. Spiritual warfare is an element of an overarching biblical narrative about God, human beings, angels, demons, and the culmination of cosmic history in the victory of God over all evil powers. It is placed in the broader perspective of the schema of God’s salvation and his relation to creation and spiritual beings.
Are There Varieties of Angels?
Yes, the Bible mentions various kinds of angels, mentioning things like seraphim (Isaiah 6), cherubim (Genesis 3, Ezekiel 10), and an archangel like Michael (Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7).
What Does the Bible Say About Sin?
Scripture’s presentations of sin include transgressing God’s perfect law and standard, both through what one does, (commission) and doesn’t (omission), which separates the sinner from God (Romans 3:23; 1 John 3:4).
How Are Believers Empowered By The Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit energizes and equips believers to accomplish the work for which they are called by virtue of His indwelling them; in providing for righteous living, in the bestowal of spiritual gifts for service, in guidance into truth, and in the transformation into the image of Christ (Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 16:13).
What Does Christ’s Resurrection Mean to Christianity?
Christ’s resurrection serves as evidential proof to his divine sonship, confirmation to his atoning work, seal to the future resurrection of the believer, and indorser of his victory over death and sin (1 Cor 15:3-4; Rom 4:25; 1 Pet 1:3).
How Is the Church Described in the Bible?
The Bible depicts the Church as the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit, a spiritual house, and an assembly of people who are called out by God, sharing the common faith in Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 12:23).
