Definitions - Spiritual Warfare

History books tell us that from the beginning of civilization battles have continued to be waged between warring kingdoms. Some wars are so significant that they have changed the history of the world. The Bible tells us about the ongoing conflict that is taking place between two spiritual kingdoms … the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan with his unseen army of demonic influences. Although God reigns sovereign over heaven and earth, He allows Satan limited power over this age. Are you aware of the world system that is in opposition to the ways of God? Are you aware of the ongoing attacks from your fierce and formidable enemy? Although many are blind to the fact that there is even a battle, the God of the Bible says that the battle has already been won!

“The god of this age [Satan] has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

(2 Corinthians 4:4)

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

A. What Is Spiritual Warfare?

spiritual warfare

The struggle against the forces of evil, which is a constant feature of the life of faith. Scripture locates the origins of spiritual warfare in the rebellion of Satan and his angels against God and affirms the hope of God’s final victory over such forces through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.[1]

[1] Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

Spiritual warfare is the ongoing conflict against the human race with its enemies—the world, the flesh, and Satan—for the purposes of …

• keeping non-Christians from coming into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ

• rendering Christians ineffective

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air [Satan], the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature [the flesh] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.”

Ephesians 2:1–3

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

B. What Are the Three Enemies?

• The World

— The word world is from the Greek word kosmos. In other contexts kosmos refers to the physical earth or the people of the earth.

— The world is that invisible system of ideas, activities, and purposes that Satan rules in opposition to God and His rule.

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

• The Flesh

— The word flesh is from the Greek word sarx. In other contexts sarx refers to the physical body.

— The term living in the flesh refers to living out of one’s own resources instead of out of Christ’s resources.

— The “power of sin” (Romans chapter 7) is at work through the flesh of a person, whether saved or unsaved, and is demonstrated by going one’s own way instead of God’s way.

— In Romans 7:18–25, sarx is better translated “flesh” not “sinful nature.”

“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature [flesh]. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18)

Romans 7:18 ESV

18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

• The Devil (Satan)

— The word devil is from the Hebrew word Satan, which means “adversary or enemy.”

— The devil is the supreme adversary of God and is leader of the spiritual forces of evil.

— The devil is a created angelic being who rebelled against God, was thrown out of heaven, and was given earth as his temporary domain.

— A demon is an evil spirit, a fallen angel who chose to follow Satan, his commander-in-chief, and who continues to obey his commands. In Greek, daimonion means “spirit.”

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ ” (Matthew 25:41)

Matthew 25:41 ESV

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

C. What Are the Strongholds?

• A military stronghold is a secure or fortified place dominated by enemy or friendly forces.

• A spiritual stronghold is a deeply rooted thought pattern dominated by our three opponents—

— worldly thinking

— fleshly habits

— satanic influences

“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)

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 ESV

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.

Q “When will this spiritual battle be over?”

For now, the kingdom of God and this present age coexist. A time will come when God eradicates all evil and judges Satan and his army—throwing them into the lake of fire. (Read Revelation 20:7–21:8.) This will be the end of ways as they are now and the beginning of a new order.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Revelation 21:4 ESV

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Hunt, J. (2008). Biblical Counseling Keys on Spiritual Warfare: Strategy for the Battle. Dallas, TX: Hope For The Heart.