Spiritual warfare is a very real part of the Christian life and all believers must equip themselves for this battle. When it comes to spiritual warfare, there is a lot of misinformation that creates confusion in the church as well as a lack of understanding among Christians which results in a failure for the believer to be adequately equipped to stand strong in the faith. In this section we will examine the scriptures to dispel the misinformation and apply the truth so we can truly be prepared and confident in the Lord as we journey through this life and accomplish our mission of faith.
The Bible refers to the Christian as a soldier of God and we are in a spiritual battle that has guaranteed victory to those who walk by faith; however, this war will not end until the Lord returns to redeem all creation[1]. We have already looked at the scriptures that inform us that the weapons of our warfare are not physical, but spiritual and our spiritual weapons are for pulling down strongholds through the power of God[2]. The way the Christian wars is incomprehensible to the ways of the world for we do not return evil for evil, blow for blow nor do we attack when we are attacked but we stand strong in confidence as we quench the fiery darts of the devil.
We have all heard the stories of so-called Christian vigilantes who try to stop evil by doing evil. Some have set themselves to execute their own vengeance against establishments or people by violent means. We even see this inside the church. I have seen Christians label other Christians as evil in order to justify trying to destroy them. According to Jesus, the mark of a true disciple is love for other disciples[3]. To love is to seek the good of another. Even when we disagree we can still do so in love and continue to seek each other’s good. Later in this study we will examine the Biblical principle of love, but for now we should realize that love is the mark of a Christian.
Labeling someone as evil does not change our call to do good
to one another. The Bible instructs us to love our enemies as well. A Christian
is never permitted to curse another for the Bible commands us to bless those
who persecute us and do not curse[4]. The
Bible has much to say on this topic. A good example of this is Romans 12:19-21
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
It is the Lord alone who has the right to execute judgment. He has not put this in our hands. We are not to use physical means to try to overthrow evil for the weapons of our warfare are not physical, but mighty in God. This is not a call for tolerance of wickedness, but rather a call to proclaim righteousness. You can stand against evil without violence, cursing or hatred - and you must do so. The scriptures teach us not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. Jesus taught that if we love those who are good to us, what reward do we have for even sinners love those who love them?
We are rewarded by God for praying for, doing good to and expressing God's love toward our enemies.
So how do we overcome evil with good? We saw a bit earlier in this study that the victory that overcomes the world is our faith - which is the gift of God's grace and mercy to us. We express that same gift to those who we count as our enemies. God blesses the just and the unjust with good things so who are we to turn our wrath against the ungodly? God alone has the right to execute justice. Some point to the Old Testament's teaching of 'an eye for an eye' to justify retaliation against an enemy but this is a misunderstanding of the scriptures. When the Law of Moses was given God taught that if a man put out another man's eye, he would lose his own eye, if he struck a man and knocked out a tooth, he lost his own tooth, and so on. One thing that people seem to overlook is that this law did not teach that the person who lost an eye had the right to take an eye, but the governing authority was to execute this judgment. When the case came before the judges, they were instructed to take an eye for an eye. This power was never given to the individual to execute judgment. This principle is the same in the Old Testament as in the New Testament.
Government is established by God for the purpose of executing justice on the evil doer[5] – never is vengeance given to the individual. If the governing authority puts a murderer to death it is God's sword of justice. If an individual avenges blood with their own hands, they are a murderer. We have to also realize that not everyone will receive justice in this life. This is explained in 1 Timothy 5:24-25
24 Some men's sins are open
beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow
after. 25 Likewise also the
good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise
cannot be hid.
The judgment against those who harm others may not be avenged until they stand before
God, but woe to them for it would be far better to pay in this life than in the next. The same holds true for good works. We may not be recognized in this life, but if we are faithful to the Lord our obedience will not be hidden in the life to come.
One thing we must realize in the battle of our Christian walk is that we are not the source of our own success, nor are we the defenders of our own way. The ways of God are completely foolish to the fleshly mind for it makes no sense to bless and do good to those who hate us and are trying to destroy us. In fact, God puts us in a position of complete defenselessness for if we truly obey it would appear that our enemies should have the victory over good. The only reason why the ways of God work is because God Himself becomes our defender and the one who takes vengeance on the wicked. In fact, this is only possible by faith for any who walk by sight will not be able to stand upon these commands and promises of God. The average Christian will depart from these commandments when it seems like our enemies will triumph over us. It is hard to walk by faith and not take matters into our own hands. This is only possible when we stand by faith upon our Rock and our Refuge - Jesus Christ. Look at these passages in the book of Psalms that explain this well.
Psalm 25: 2 O my
God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over
me. 3 Yea, let none that wait
on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach
me thy paths. 5 Lead me in
thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee
do I wait all the day.
Psalm 41:11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because
mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
Psalm 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee
rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them
also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Psalm 59:9 Because of his strength will I wait upon
thee: for God is my defence.
Psalm 94:20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with
thee, which frameth mischief by a law? 21
They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn
the innocent blood. 22 But
the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. 23 And he shall bring upon them
their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea,
the LORD our God shall cut them off.
The way of God does not make sense unless you fully understand that the Lord Himself is the one that makes these scriptural principles work. We are defenseless until the Lord intervenes. One thing that we must also realize is that no one can do anything against the person who abides in the Lord's will unless it is of God. This includes the attacks of the devil. If God permits persecution or harm against us, it is ultimately for our good and anything lost in this life is eternal gain in the life to come. People get discouraged because they are looking at this life as though it were the promise rather than the time of obedience that leads us to the promises of God. Not even a sparrow falls to the earth without God's permission[6]. Not one person rises to a position of authority without being appointed by God[7] and no one is given power to harm any of God's people except it is given from above[8].
We know that anything that comes into our life is for our eternal good and this should give us the confidence that struggles, trials and persecutions are for our benefit and refinement in the faith. God has promised that we will not be overcome by them but that does not mean that our enemies will not appear to triumph in the short term. David wrote the passages in Psalms above and declared that God does not allow the wicked to triumph over the righteous; however, there were times in David's life when he was oppressed by the wicked. Before taking the throne, King Saul hunted David for years trying to kill him. After taking the throne, Absalom caused an uprising, took over the kingdom, and sent his army out to destroy David. In both cases it appeared that his enemies triumphed over him but in each case the Lord defended him and overcame his enemies even though it always appeared that he had little hope by human standards.
We also should realize that God has not promised that our enemies will not gain a stronghold and threaten us; however, if we are faithful and obedient to the word of the Lord He will fulfill His promises. When King Saul was trying to kill David there were two separate occasions where David had the opportunity to kill Saul. He could have justified himself and taken matters into his own hands and no one would have faulted him, but he declared that he would not avenge with his own hand but would wait on the Lord. This is also what the New Testament command is to the Christian. Look at 1 Peter 2:21-23
1 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Jesus gave us an example to follow. When Jesus was persecuted He did not retaliate, nor did he rail against His accusers. His enemies appeared to triumph over Him but in truth this was the plan of God and their persecution was a tool in God's hand to accomplish His work of redemption. In fact, His redemption purchased salvation for the very people who put Him to death if they were willing to receive it. The Christian has the commandment to not avenge, but to commit themselves to God who judges righteously. God may redeem the very people who are currently our enemies and we should be willing to go where God sends us even if it causes pain. We have two options: take matters into our own hands, act according to human understanding and see our own results, or submit ourselves to God and trust Him to accomplish His will through us.
This is the foundation of spiritual warfare. We must first realize that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness. Our warfare is in the Spirit but the enemy attacks us through the flesh. If you look at the wickedness that abounds, it thrives in the lives of those who submit themselves to the desires of the flesh. Satan uses those who are driven by the flesh to attack those who are led by the Spirit. The devil also attacks us through the flesh. He does so by using temptations and threats.
Consider the life of Job. Satan had no power over Job's spiritual life. He attempted to draw Job out of fellowship with God by attacking the things that he loved in this life, attacking his body and sending counselors who thought they were spiritual to condemn Job and try to defeat his faith by telling him that he had a spiritual problem. They claimed that God had revealed to them that he had secret sins. In the end God rebuked those who rebuked Job and gave him greater honor than he had before this trial began. Job declared the greatest words of faith found in the Bible when he said, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him". He then declared the hope of his encouragement in Job 19:25-26
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
His hope was in the Lord alone. The flesh cannot overcome our faith, but the devil will use every temptation within his power to draw God's people out of the Spirit and into the flesh where he can exercise his dominion over them. Many mighty Christians have fallen because they followed the call of the flesh and chose to depart from the Lord. Satan cannot defeat the Christian if we follow the word of the Lord and prepare ourselves for the battles that will indeed come. The Christian can only be defeated when they walk in the flesh, for when we are in the flesh we cannot please God or walk in fellowship with Him.
The Bible gives us specific instructions that prepare us for victory and explains in detail how to equip ourselves for the spiritual battles before us. Unfortunately most Christians fail to see the need to prepare themselves for spiritual warfare; therefore, they are blindsided, quickly defeated, and can never figure out why they are not able to stand when trials or temptations come upon them. Before we examine the passages that teach us how to be equipped for spiritual warfare, let us take a moment to define what it means to walk in the Spirit or walk according to the flesh. Throughout this study these terms have been used and it is important to make sure we understand what is meant by the flesh or the Spirit since where we stand will determine whether or not we fall.
The flesh is based on our human nature which is rooted in sin. Selfishness, greed, lust and all sin is rooted in our human nature. The Bible calls our old nature the natural man[9] or the old man[10]. If we look throughout history we can clearly see that when restraint is removed, man always plummets toward corruption and oppression. Even the secular world acknowledges this; hence the saying, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". Can you think of a single godly dictator? All dictatorships oppress the people as men in power live lavish lifestyles and use terror to maintain their own power. This is human nature in action.
The flesh is our human nature. This corruption is instilled in the heart of every man, woman and child and while our cultural standards keep most people in check, only a new nature given to us by God can give man the power to live for something other than selfish ambition. Even good deeds done in the flesh are ultimately based on selfish ambition as people seek to feel good about themselves or merit 'moral points' to make themselves feel justified. As we discussed at the beginning of this study, God does not renovate the old man, but crucifies it and through His Spirit a new man is born that is spiritual and eternal. Consider these passages on this topic:
1 Corinthians 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came
also the resurrection of the dead. 22
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the
world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have
sinned:
1 Corinthians 15: 45
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was
made a quickening spirit. 46
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is
natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second
man is the Lord from heaven. 48
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is
the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image
of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that
flesh and blood cannot inherit the
In Adam all die but in Christ all are made alive. All
mankind passed through Adam and therefore have the curse of sin. Likewise, all
who pass through Christ die to the flesh and have that curse removed. This is
why Jesus stated that He was the door and no one can come into eternal life
except through Him[11].
Any who do not pass through that door of salvation remain in Adam and live
according to the flesh. Those who live in the flesh cannot inherit the
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh:
and these are contrary the one to the other:
The flesh (our old human nature) desires what is contrary to the Spirit and these two cannot agree and cannot coexist. The war is within as the sin in our flesh rises up and attempts to war against our minds to draw us back into sin[14] and the war is without as those born after the flesh attempt to suppress those who live according to the Spirit. When someone is in rebellion against God they will hate anyone who shines the light of the gospel for we are a constant reminder of the consequences to sin. Look at 2 Corinthians 2:14-16a
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.
If you are living according to the Spirit you will cause the knowledge of Christ to be revealed in every place within your circle of influence. That knowledge of Christ is a constant reminder of both salvation and condemnation. To those who receive faith we are the sweet aroma of Christ but to those who are perishing that aroma is a reminder of the consequences of sin. Keep in mind that condemnation comes because men love darkness and reject the truth since their pleasure is in sin[15]. These are the individuals that have decided that sin is their first love and God is a hindrance to their own ways. You are a constant reminder of Christ to those around you. If they hate Christ, they will also hate you[16].
The flesh is your old sinful nature. When someone comes to Christ and becomes a new creation, the flesh no longer has dominion over their lives. We still live in the flesh but we do not walk according to the flesh; however, the old man will continue to war against our minds to draw us back into the flesh. One of the primary battle fields for spiritual warfare is your mind. You must win the battle within in order to stand firm against the attacks from without. Consider this passage from Ephesians 4:21-24
21 If so be that ye have
heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the
former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful
lusts; 23 And be renewed in
the spirit of your mind; 24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and
true holiness.
The word 'conversation' used in this passage is the Greek word anastrophe (pronounced an-as-trof-ay') which means conduct or former way of life. Consider what the scriptures are teaching concerning our old nature. Our old man still resides in our flesh and constantly attempts to rise up and take over our minds to draw us into our old way of life; however, we have the power to put on our new man (or new way of life in the Spirit) so that we can overcome and walk according to the Spirit. We must daily renew our minds and put on our new man so that we walk according to our new way of life. If you walk in the Spirit, your desire will be for the things of the Spirit and the Bible gives us this promise from Galatians 5:
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
The key to victory is to walk in the Spirit. When you do so, you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh and will not be drawn back into your old way of life. The opposite is also true: if you do not walk in the Spirit you will be drawn back into the flesh and will struggle with sin in your life. Let us begin looking at how the scriptures prepare us to stand firm in the faith. Look now at this passage in Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be
strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand. 14
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness; 15
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of
faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked. 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, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;
This wonderful passage gives us a lot of information that explains how we are to equip ourselves for this battle. The foundation of this entire principle stands upon the power of God's might. We are not called to be strong in ourselves, in fact the Bible teaches that what we sow in weakness is raised in power[17] and that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness[18]. Those who are strong in themselves will not stand for when we stand by our own strength we are limited to human abilities and human will. The one who thinks he is strong is warned to take heed to this truth or else he will fall[19].
Just think for a moment about those who struggle with addictions. In one way or another we all struggle with addiction to sin, but some have addictions that overrun their entire lives. Each time they believe they have found victory, they are blind sided by temptation and realize they are falling before they even realized that temptation was coming upon them. How many times to we promise God that we will never do a particular sin again? This is the average Christian's approach to overcoming. We promise God that we will be strong when God is not calling for us to show Him our strength, determination or abilities. God is calling for us to submit to Him and as we yield ourselves to His Spirit, He becomes our strength. Consider this familiar passage from Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He giveth power to the
faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and
be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and
they shall walk, and not faint.
Verse 31 is familiar to most Christians but it is incomplete if taken out of the context of the entire thought being communicated. It can be misunderstood to be referring to our strength; however, verse 29 reveals that the strength comes from the Lord and verse 30 reveals that the strength of man will fail. We are renewed, not by increasing our own strength, but by being strong in the Lord and receiving the power of His might. The promise is to the weak, not to those who think they can be strong. Endurance and perseverance comes from the Lord as His Spirit strengthens us when we rely on Him. The same applies to overcoming temptation and our personal addictions. There are those who make vain promises to the Lord and try to be strong and there are those who pour out themselves before God, find mercy and receive renewed strength from the Lord.
I can testify to this very principle for I have been overcome and lived in the never-ending loop of falling, recommitting myself, promising the Lord to do better only to fall again. We can do well for a while but eventually our strength will fail. The key is to stop relying on our own strength and pour ourselves out before the throne of grace as we seek the Lord to be our strength. The Bible explains this wonderfully in Psalm 62:6-8
6 He only is my rock
and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation
and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in
God. 8 Trust in him at all
times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge
for us.
Eleven times in the book of Psalms David calls the Lord His strength. It is important to realize that the flesh cannot be overcome by the flesh; therefore, your strength and commitments to live godly mean little. The Lord must be our defense and He must preserve our lives. He is our shield to deliver us. When temptation arises, His Spirit defends those who pour out their hearts before Him and He becomes their strength. I cannot defeat my own flesh and as we saw earlier, the promise to overcome the flesh is to those who walk in the Spirit. The victory begins by being strong in the Lord and trusting in the power of His might. From the position of standing upon God's strength we have the power to put on the whole armor of God.
Eddie Snipes
Exchanged Life Outreach
<<Click Here to Sign up for Weekly Messages>>
[1] Romans 8:21-22
[2] 2 Corinthians 10:4
[3] John 13:35
[4] Romans 12:14
[5] Romans 13.
[6] Matthew 10:29
[7] Romans 13:1, Psalm 62:11
[8] John 19:11, Psalm 97:10
[9] 1 Corinthians 2:14
[10] Ephesians 4:22
[11] John 10:9, John 14:6, John 8:24
[12] Romans 8:8
[13] John 3:6
[14] Romans 7:23
[15] 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, Romans 1:28
[16] John 15:18, John 15:20-25
[17] 1 Corinthians 15:43
[18] 2 Corinthians 12:9
[19] 1 Corinthians 10:12