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What is Spiritual Warfare?
You are feeling a tug, a pull on your inner parts. Physically, you cannot see what is pushing against you. If you could only view it (the strongman) with your eyes! Why the tussle with an enemy that opposes your every move? Take heart. This struggle did not begin with you. In fact, the strongman ‘s first fight began with spiritual angels (Revelation 12:3–4; 7-9). Yes, spiritual warfare began that far back. What’s his name? Who is this strongman? Satan, of course, is his name and he is against God’s creation. Because “By Him all things were created that are in heaven, and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). This spiritual warfare will continue until a new earth and new heaven.
Understanding Spiritual Warfare of Faith
In the Christian faith, one of the most important things you can do to support your call is to understand spiritual warfare. What is that understanding?
First, spiritual warfare, starts with the knowledge that there are two laws: a natural law and a spiritual law. As previously stated, there are visible and invisible dominions or domains in the earth and in heaven. God controls them all.
Natural law is a support system for the well-being of humans as a society. For example, laws governing the sciences. From the beginning, God gave natural laws to Adam, i.e., “Multiply (Genesis 1:28). Take care of the Garden (Genesis 2:15). Respect life, Genesis 9:5-6. The preservation of our Earth is a commandment of God.
Spiritual law governs spiritual things. God is Spirit; He is the Holy Spirit and moved over the earth from the beginning (Genesis 1:1-2). Paul addresses the two laws in Romans 7:22-23, as a war between what is spiritual and what is fleshly. The flesh requires certain things in nature, i.e., air, water. God creatively provides. The flesh decays. On the other hand, in the Christian faith, believers equate the spirit as having residence with God or with the evil one (Revelation 20:13-15).
Biblical Foundations of Spiritual Warfare
Romans 8:5 states that those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
The Greek word for Spirit is Pneuma. When a person accepts Christ as Savior through repentance, the Holy Spirit comes in and lives in that person to govern. Freewill of a person is not taken away. But the individual begins a pneuma walk, that is, the fight of a warrior (1 Timothy 6:12). Second Corinthians 10: 3-5, references the walk as, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh (lusty sinning). For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (flesh), but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.
The Holy Spirit is practical. He knows, as believers, that we differ in our experiences and levels of thinking. As a human being, every action begins with a thought. And because of the choice of new life for the soul, a warring takes place between the old you and the new you. It is now spiritual warfare between the fleshly nature and the Spirit (Romans 7:22-23; Galatians 5:17).
Examples of Spiritual Battles
One of the most profound scriptures concerning spiritual warfare is Ephesians 6: 10-17, The Armor of God. As a guide, these verses detail the actions and responses of walking in the Spirit. Jesus is the ultimate example of having the power of the Spirit and exercising the authority using the Word. A warring believer has that power and authority, given for the journey. Exercise it by reading, studying, speaking and listening to the Spirit. The Spirit knows the mind of God; He knows what pleases God.
Key Takeaways
- Spiritual warfare involves a struggle against unseen spiritual forces, primarily led by Satan, that oppose God’s creation.
- Understanding spiritual warfare requires recognizing the dual laws of natural and spiritual that govern our existence.
- Biblical foundations of spiritual warfare emphasize living in accordance with the Spirit, rather than the flesh, as highlighted in Romans 8:5.
- The Holy Spirit empowers believers, guiding them in spiritual battles and transforming their moral character as they seek holiness.
- Future blog posts will provide tools, prayers, and concepts for applying the ‘Armor of God’ in everyday life.
When the Holy Spirit comes in, we are able to reflect more light than darkness. The moral characteristics (Galatians 5: 23-24) will reflect a new soul, different from the old soul. Then, the natural human being is becoming, transforming into who God wants – holiness.
In our upcoming blog posts, we expect to share tools and prayers for spiritual readiness and introduce concepts for applying the “Armor of God.” For now, we suggest the following blog posts for your calling: