Understanding and definitions of spiritual warfare
INTRODUCTION
To understand the battle of spiritual warfare, we need to begin with acknowledging that we are in a war. Battles involve combat between two persons. As Christians, we are in a spiritual battle of some sort on a daily basis. In warfare, battles are fought on different fronts, for different reasons, and with varying degrees of intensity. The same is true in spiritual warfare. Our spiritual battles and warfare are real, even though we cannot physically see the attacker. But, we can educate ourselves on how the battles are fought and how they impact our lives on a daily basis.
DEFINITION
- Spiritual warfare is the battle against activities of the demonic world
[Eph 6:12] 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
- Spiritual warfare is also the act of possessing what is rightfully yours and rejecting what God has not destined for you. [Act 10:38] How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him
—- Sickness and disease are not meant to be yours, but if one accepts it from the pit of hell, one becomes the owner
—- If God did not give it to you, it is NOT yours (diseases, barrenness, poverty, etc.)
THE NECCESITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE
- Spiritual warfare has its origin in the rebellion of Satan and his allied angels against God [Isaiah 14:12-15, Revelation 12:7-9]. Satan is the prince of this world, and he leads a coalition of forces against God and anything connected to His purpose on earth. It is therefore important to note that mankind is the target of his attacks, regardless of religious affiliation, academic qualification, gender, age, culture or tribe. For this reason, Revelation 12:12 says,
“…Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
We operate in a world that is constantly undergoing spiritual warfare. Whether you are a Christian or not, the spiritual warfare is constantly on. [Genesis 3:15]
Do you know that Satan’s sole goal is to hinder our relationship with God? He is a deceiver. He twists and turns things (good to bad, health to sickness, rich to poverty) just like when he encountered Eve in the garden
The objective of the devil in constantly engaging in spiritual warfare against believers remains to steal, to kill and to destroy – in every ramification. Whatever that is good and meant for the believers – the enemy wants to destroy. [John 10:10a]
—- The enemy is out with a total war strategy against the things of the kingdom.
- The spiritual controls the physical. battles in our physical lives are rooted in the spiritual realm
- Spiritual warfare affects everyone. In fact, the day we become committed and accepts Christ as Lord and Savior, we are already involved in spiritual warfare. There is no place you can escape from this warfare. There are no “safe zones” or “secure bunkers” [1 Peter 4:18]
- The strategy of the kingdom of darkness is to keep believers in darkness, make believers unaware of the spiritual warfare around them in order to continue to negatively affect the well- being of the body of Christ. [Zechariah 1:17-18]
REASONS WHY PEOPLE ARE EASILY DEFEATED IN WARFARE
- They are unaware of the battle.
- They were asleep in the time of war. [Matthew 13:25]
- They are ill prepared.
- They are well prepared but ran out of ammunition
- They are fully prepared, but something got lost in the process of warfare.
QUALIFICATIONS TO WARFARE (THE DO’S)
Acts 19:13-18
[Act 19:13] Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth
–You must belong to Jesus Christ
–You must be obedient to the Word of God (you must be Holy)
–You cannot go into battle in the authority of whom you do not believe
–You must be ready to enlist as a soldier of Christ – [2 Tim. 2:1-4]
Soldiers do not sleep for 10 hours a day
Soldiers are always ready for battle
Soldiers are always watchful – be sober, be vigilant
Soldiers are trained to use their weapons
Things are vital in Warfare – [Eph. 6:10-18]
Be strong in the Lord
Be strong in His power – [Eph. 1:19-20]
Put on the whole armor – to stand against the devil (your enemy)
[John 10:10, 1 Pet. 5:8-9]
Know your enemy –Principalities, Powers, Rulers of the darkness, Spiritual wickedness
Whole armor Truth
Breastplate of righteousness
Gospel of peace
Shield of faith
Helmet of salvation
Sword of the Spirit
Praying always with all prayers and supplications
Watching with all perseverance – including fasting
Note that your back is not protected. Never run from the enemy, he will strike your back
Pastor Lawrence Laniyi, President