I’ve received several positive e-mails and requests to write more on spiritual warfare, so at your prompting I’ll cover more on the basics. Scripture clearly tells us that we are born into a spiritual battleground (Rev 12; Eph 6:10-20). We are called to be soldiers for our Commander, God, to fight for the Kingdom of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20; Eph 6:19-20). This is why it’s vital for the believer to be aware of the battle that surrounds us. It is in the Commander’s presence that we learn to fight and protect ourselves, our families, and our friends. As long as man is on earth, a spiritual battle will ensue.
There are numerous enemies in this battle we call life. One is the world: the world is at enmity with God (James 4:-1-4). The world is composed of a body of individuals just as the body of Christ is. Another enemy is the flesh: the flesh for the lusts of men (1 Peter 4:1-4). The flesh pursues its own will, as opposed to God’s. There’s also the Devil: the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8), as well as Fallen Angels. We wrestle against.....principalities, against powers....rulers of darkness...spiritual hosts of wickedness (Eph. 6:12).
The purpose of a demon is to dwell in a man, woman, or child (Matthew 9:32, 17:17-18; Luke 8:2, Mark 7:25-30) and to inflict physical and mental harm on them (Matthew. 8:28; 9:32-33; 12:22, Luke 9:42). They are able to acquire entrance into a person through a variety of sources including, but not limited to, immoral sexual unions, music, books, movies, occult practices, drugs and alcohol, as well as what one sees and hears. The law of sowing and reaping is evident in these kinds of practices.
Demons know who Jesus is (Mark 1:24), they know God’s plan for salvation, (James 2:19), and they are aware of their future when Christ returns (Matthew 8:9). They are superior to humans in intellect (Mark 1:24) and strength (Luke 8:29), but through Jesus Christ, we are given the power to cast them out and renounce our involvement with them. We do this verbally through repentance.
Jesus said, “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own place, his goods are in place. But when a stronger one than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.” (Matt. 12:29).
Satan is stronger than we are. All of us are helpless victims of satanic control apart from Jesus. He is the ruler of the world (John 12:31; 14:30), the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4), and the ruler of the Kingdom of the Air (Eph 2:2). But even though Satan’s purpose is to destroy God’s work (John 8:44), Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
Satan is a fallen angel (Is. 14:12-15). He was created by God, but not equal to Him. Though Satan is superior to man in intellect and strength, he is but inferior to God in every way. Some people say Satan is the opposite of God, but God has no opposite. Nothing is remotely comparable to Him. We often assign Satan so much more power in our minds and hearts than he actually has, and we allow that falsehood to intimidate us.
Scripture refers to believers as soldiers in Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul compares spiritual conflict to war, using terms like armor, struggle, battle, fighting, and soldier. Paul is not referring to a battle that occurs occasionally, but a daily battle for our mind, emotions, body, and spirit.
The Bible tells us to put on armor so we can be strong against the devil’s schemes. In the Greek, “scheme” (methadeia) means method. Satan has a PhD in methodology. On a larger scale, Satan’s plan of attack is to disrupt the body of Christ on an individual basis. Although it often seems as if his battle is personal, we are in essence just one small segment of an entire unit under attack. Satan hates everyone who resembles Christ.
Satan’s war tactics are generally subtle, but methodical. Like many of the historical commanders in armies of the past, the number one objective is to destroy communication amongst the troops. In war, if one side can demolish interaction between the commander and his soldiers, all hope is virtually gone.
Believers have a direct line of unlimited contact with our Commander twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, but sin is the culprit that breaks down our communication with God. When this occurs, it is critical that we seek the wisdom, forgiveness, and strength of Almighty God. Prayer is more than just a dialogue between a believer and God ~ it is an avenue that brings intimacy into the relationship. It is a place of give and take, learning to be honest and transparent to an all-knowing God.
Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing. Man made prayer a ritual by getting on our knees, folding our palms together, bowing our head, and closing our eyes. Though these practices do promote reverence, consistency, and honor to God, it is not the only way to pray. We can pray to God standing, with eyes open, hands raised, whispering, or crying out loud. We can still honor Him by praying while we sit, doing dishes, working on our car, driving to work, or shopping. There are no limits when it comes to communicating with God. He is with us at all times. We should talk to Him, praise Him, sing to Him, thank Him, confess our sins to Him. Whatever we do, we shouldn’t stop communicating with our Heavenly Father.
Hymn writer James Montgomery said, “Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed, the motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast.” Montgomery is describing a passion for something that burns deep inside a person to express their uttermost desires, pain, and need. There is One, and only One that we can do this with completely and without even a hint of judgment and condemnation and that is Christ Jesus!
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