SPIRITUAL WARFARE
 
 


 




The Christian life is a life of warfare, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12); "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).  The basic strategy of warfare is to know the strengths and weaknesses of both sides.  It's very important that we understand the strength of our God as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy.  If we don't keep this in perspective it will cause distortions in our thoughts, prayers, and actions.

In Exodus 3:14 God answered Moses' question of who He was by saying, "I AM who I AM."  So, who is God?  God is:
 

  • supreme in authority
  • timeless in existance
  • unquestionable in sovereignty
  • ingenious in creativity
  • limitless in power
  • terrible in wrath
  • majestic in splendor
  • awesome in holiness
  • infinite in wisdom and knowledge
  • unsearchable in understanding
  • dazzling in beauty
  • unfathomable in love
  • incomprehensible in humility
  • absolute in justice
  • unending in mercy
  • matchless in grace
Knowing who God is, we now need to know who our enemy is.  He is nothing more than a fallen angel who is doomed to eternal destruction, "How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn!  You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!" (Isaiah 14:12); "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown.  They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Revelation 20:10).

If we are afraid of the devil, that means we have become impressed with him.  Don't overestimate Satan's abilities.  He has no ability to create, so he uses the same tactics he's used since the beginning, in the Garden of Eden.  God's word says that we're only to fear the One who has the authority of determine our eternal destiny, "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell.  Yes, I tell you, fear him"(Luke 12:5).

The forces of darkness are neither omnipotent, omniscient, nor omnipresent.  But we need to know what the Bible says about the enemy so we don't underestimate him.

Three time in the gospel of John (12:31; 14:30; 16:11) Jesus refers to him as "the prince of this world."  The verses tell us of Satan's limited power: "....the whole world is under the control of the evil one" (1 John 5:19b).  "....now the prince of this world will be driven out" (John 12:31b).  "The god of this age [Satan] has blinded the minds of unbelievers..." (2 Corinthians 4:4a).  "Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith...." (1 Peter 5:8-9a).
 
 






 
 


 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
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