Spiritual warfare is a reality and a serious part in working overseas. It is also a topic not spoken about enough in church. The major thrust of spiritual warfare is not the more sensational types of demonic manifestations. The primary battle is over control of our daily lives. The problem is that if our worldview does not include a correct view of our Father and does not see Satan as a functional part of this struggle, we will wrestle with flesh and blood and forget we are also spiritual beings wrestling with principalities and powers.
In spiritual battle, we face three adversaries – The World, The Flesh, and the Devil (and his cohort). To defeat each of these enemies requires different kinds of warfare with different weapons.
WORLD
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
In this passage, how do I understand if God so loved the world that He would die for it, but if I as a Christian love the world, it means I’m an adulterer or don’t love God. How does that work?
The Greek word for world was cosmos and it was used several different ways in scripture, but their were three ways that were primary: one way was a synonym for people in John 3:16 (God died for people). Second, in Acts 17:24 Luke writes about how God made the world; regarding the created order. Then here in 1 John 2, the world is referred to as an organized system in rebellion against God; which is lust of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life.
When reading scripture and we see the word “world” it is important we ask about the context; if whether it means people, creation, or something evil and organized that stands to oppose God. We cannot sacrifice for both God and the system in rebellion against Him. So we must evaluate alluring temptation and say ‘no’ to lust and pride.
FLESH
Romans 7:15-25 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Here Paul is speaking to believers - not unbelievers - about the Spirit opposing our sinful nature. The flesh opposes the Spirit so we may not do what we choose to do. Having conflict inwardly is normal for all, even those Christians walking with God.
There are two different outcomes when being lead by either the Flesh or the Spirit. We can have discernment over the fruit choices produce. Does it produce sensuality, immorality, deception, drunkenness, etc. Or is it from the Spirit of God showing fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, etc?
To address attacks thoughtfully, I can ask, “where is this war taking place?” Paul says it four times here that this entity that is evil is not coming from the outside, or the world, but from the inside. We can recognize much of what we think does not reflect God. How then do we fight the flesh?
- 2 Timothy 2:22 says to run. Having the courage to walk away.
- We can also renew our mind by actually thinking about what we want to think about as in Philippians 4:8. It’s not effective focusing on what we don’t want, it’s what we already know. Redirect thoughts and focus on what you want according to scripture.
- Galatians 5:16, are you walking controlled by the Spirit, or are you trying to control your own life? Stop trying to lead a Christian life on your own without the Spirit.
DEVIL
James 4:7-10 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
When responding to something from the flesh, you are to run, but when dealing with something demonic, you are to resist. It is important to distinguish the two. If you don’t know where spiritual warfare is coming from, how do you know what to do?
One of the ways you can resist is through offensive prayer. Know Ephesians 6 and the armor you have from God. Take note that no armor given to you covers your back. We are not meant to run from the Devil, but resist; the Lord is with you as you fight. Psalm 18 and 27 are great defensive prayers because they both say God hide me. But Psalm 35:1-8, 109, 83, 58, 59, Jeremiah 18:18-25, and Nehemiah 4 say that when my enemies try to fight, Lord cast them down, contend against, fight against those against me. Jeremiah is very straightforward even saying that in God’s perfect anger, perfect righteousness to do things because he is not perfect so he can’t.
People can begin to have voices, thoughts, impressions, or whatever name people put to the following things that sound like: “You’re fat, ugly, you’re stupid, you’re not a Christian.” “You’ve committed the unforgivable sin.” “Why read the bible? You’re too dumb to understand it.” “Why pray? They bounce off the ceiling.” “You’re a fool.” “No one ever respects you.” “No one likes you.” “You’re damaged goods. It will never change.” “Why don’t you just put a gun to your head to end this?” “You are such a fraud…” this can be spoken to so many people, even the most devout believers. This is the time to remember Ephesians 6:16 and pray, “Lord Jesus, if this is a demonic accusation, fight it with me and remove it forever.” Many times it will just stop and it could make you feel relief so suddenly you are surprised it wasn’t actually a lack of sleep, but instead there was someone purposefully trying to drag you down. Resisting works a lot better than running from the Devil.
The world, the flesh, and the Devil are real and the Bible says you are dealing with all three. Not if, but when. Prepare with the Bible to live smart and thoughtfully during spiritual warfare.