Understanding Spiritual Warfare

 

Understanding Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:10-12

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

 

It is very important for the Christian to understand spiritual warfare, since we have an adversary seeking our destruction. God’s Word tells us that Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Satan is also referred to as, the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. One of Satan’s tactics is to stir people up in anger towards God. Many people blame God for the problems that they experience in this life, and they are oblivious to the fact, that there are two opposing kingdoms at work in the earth. Ephesians 6:12 states that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. The truth is that we live in a war zone, and the battle is over the souls of men. If you belong to Christ, then you are in the Lord’s army, and Satan’s kingdom has declared all out war against you. But, the good news is, greater is he that is within you than he that is in the world, and if you remain in Christ until the end, you will inherit eternal life. If you have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, then you have the power to live an overcoming life, as well as the authority to put the devil to flight. In these last days, it is crucial that all Christians receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, in order to be able to stand firm in Christ, against the many snares of the devil.

Ephesians 6:13-18

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

 

In order to survive spiritual warfare, we must be clothed with the full armor of God. Verses 14-18 states that we are to stand, having girded our waist with truth. According to God’s Word, no liar shall inherit the kingdom of Heaven. In regard, to the swearing of oaths, Christ said that our yes should mean yes, and our no should mean no, and anything else comes from the evil one. God holds the truth in high regard and so should we. Next, we are told, to put on the breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness does not mean perfection, but it does mean that we are to live right, and this is a reference to sanctification (being purified by God’s Spirit, as well as set apart from the sinful world). The breastplate is the most important part of the warrior’s armor because it guards the heart, lungs, as well as other vital organs. God’s Word teaches us, that without holiness no man shall see the Father. Satan’s desire is to morally corrupt a person, in order to give a spiritual death blow to the Christian, that is why the breastplate of righteousness is the most vital piece of armor for our survival. We are also, told to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. God’s Word says, blessed are the feet of those who bring the good news. If you belong to Christ, then you are commissioned to share your faith with others. It is very important to have our theology straight, before sharing our faith, because we are held responsible by God for what we teach. That is why we need to not only read God’s Word, but to study it, to show ourselves approved. Christ made peace, between us and the Father through his death upon the cross, and we are to share this gospel of peace with others.

 

 We are also, told to take the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Fear is the opposite of faith and fear can quite often empower Satan’s attacks against us. That is why faith is vital for our protection against the many on slots and snares of the evil one. In battle, the shield repelled the blows of the enemies weapons, and the same is also true in spiritual warfare, it is the shield of faith that stops the attacks. If we have faith that our Lord is bigger, as well as stronger than any of our enemies, then our prayers will be answered, and victory will be the result. Faith is the key for many breakthroughs in the Christian walk. Healings, deliverance from demonic activity, as well as everyday life situations, require faith to get results. We are also, told to wear the helmet of salvation. Paul was saying that we must remain in Christ, and continue to keep the helmet of salvation on, because it is possible to fall away from Christ, because we have a free will. We are also, told that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. God’s Word is our weapon against the enemy of our souls. When the enemy attacks, we are to lift our shield of faith, and stand on God’s Word to stop the attacks. When the enemy attacks me, I quote scriptures with faith in response. If you rebuke the enemy in Christ’s name, as well as quote Bible verses with faith, you will put the enemy to flight.

 

The enemy looks for open spiritual doors in our lives, so that he may gain access to us. An open door to the enemy may result in harassment, nightmares, sickness, poverty, or even spiritual backsliding. Television is the biggest open door to the enemy in most people’s lives. I refer to television as Satan’s throne in the home, and I recommend getting rid of the beast. Books, movies, video games, or even images that contain content of the occult, are a definite open door to the enemy. Witches, fairies, ghosts, leprechauns, tree or water spirits, elves, as well as Santa Claus, are all based off of the occult. Most people are unaware that the legends of fairies, leprechauns, elves, water and tree spirits etc. are based off of spiritual apparitions that have appeared to people. Like ghosts, these apparitions are really demons that are deceiving people, in an effort to turn people away from God. Law enforcement officers will tell you that ignorance of the law is no excuse when you commit a crime. The same is true with God, ignorance of God’s Word, as well as of spiritual laws, is no excuse with God. I am in the deliverance ministry (casting out demons), and I know for a fact, that spiritual doors must be closed for deliverance to be successful. To successfully survive spiritual warfare, we must remain clothed with the full armor of Christ, as well as close all spiritual doors to the enemy in our lives.