The Supernatural World Part 3

There are two primary errors when it comes to spiritual warfare—over-emphasis and under-emphasis. Some blame every sin, every conflict, and every problem on demons that need to be cast out. Others completely ignore the spiritual realm and the fact that the Bible tells us our battle is against spiritual powers.

What we’re dealing with is simply....

The Battle Between Light and Darkness

“Spiritual warfare” can conjure up all sorts of images of demonic possession and exorcisms. Other images might include people speaking in an unknown voice or having convulsions or not having control of their own actions. For the purposes of this guide, we must understand the definition to be much broader and simpler than those images may imply.”

Spiritual warfare, simply put, is a struggle between light and darkness. God has secured the victory, but Satan still attempts to wage war against God and His people. Light is sourced in God and infuses all that is good; darkness is sourced in Satan and permeates all that is evil.

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 3:19 “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”

We understand that the answer is found in Christ John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””

We Are in the Battle

You are but a poor soldier of Christ if you think you can overcome without fighting and suppose you can have the crown without the conflict.

St. John Chrysostom

No other passage addresses the matter quite as strongly or convincingly as this passage

Ephesians 6:10–18 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert…”

in this passage:

The enemy is clearly identified

The reality of the battle is clarified

The tools and methods of our response are listed

It is also clear in 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”

More Words for Warfare

Another helpful quote:

The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battleground.

Warren W. Wiersbe

We are warned to stay away from things...maybe even people and places...where we may be influenced by Satan or his minions

2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”

Ephesians 5:11 “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”

Romans 6:16 “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Sometimes, however, the battle comes to us BECAUSE we are actively engaged engaged with the Word and involved in the Lord’s work

We must always remember 1 John 4 4, written in the context of the spirit of antichrist...

1 John 4:4 ESV

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.