Understanding Spiritual Warfare Series

UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Pastor Eric J. Hanson

Spiritual warfare is not something that we have a choice about. It comes to us unbidden. If you are a Christian Believer, you are already in God’s Army. You already have a commander, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you weapons and armor. You are already under orders to use those resources in standing against the kingdom of darkness. You also already have an enemy who is out to destroy you and all people. Because the Devil hates God, he hates all people. This is because we are created in God’s image, and God loves us.

When you become a follower of Jesus Christ, the Devil and his forces oppose you even more. They seek to find ways to destroy your reputation, character, and effectiveness for Christ. Every believer in Jesus Christ is called to become competent in resisting the forces of darkness and in advancing the Kingdom of Heaven.

Paul wrote plainly in Ephesians about the truth that we are in a great “wrestling match”. The stakes in wrestling matches in ancient times were often life or death. It was essential for each contestant to be as prepared as possible. It is also very important for each of us to also be prepared to wrestle well and effectively in the spiritual battles we all face. The stakes are high for us too; sometimes they are no less than spiritual or physical life or death.

For each of us who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the only question about such things is this: “Will I become proficient and effective at this warfare, or will I not?” All of us, as believers in Jesus Christ are called to the battle. The purpose of this little book is to help you with proper preparation in this matter, so that you can prevail, and be effective for the Lord’s cause.

To prepare yourself for spiritual warfare, the most important thing that you can do is to develop a life of prayer. Resisting the Devil begins with drawing near to God. When you are close to God, other things take on their true perspective as you consider them. God’s desires, such as the spiritual salvation of people who don’t yet know Him, become big as we draw close to God. James 4:7 & 8 are wonderful verses to always bear in mind. Loving God and desiring to see His will done in the Earth, prepares you to approach this whole endeavor of spiritual warfare with proper motives. Do not engage in spiritual warfare because you are "mad at the Devil", but rather, because you love God.

CHAPTER 1: KNOW YOUR ENEMIES

God's word makes clear that every believer in Jesus Christ has three enemies. They are "the World, the Flesh, and the Devil". Let's take a brief look at them.

I. The World. This can best be defined as the "world system" which operates without regard for God and His standards. The "world system" is under the domination of the Devil. The World here does not mean the people who life on planet Earth. God loves the people, but there are many evil strongholds of the World System present in the dealings of people with one another. These strongholds range in size from groups of nations hating each other, to neighbors or family members relating in wrong ways to one another. (I John 2:15)

II. The Flesh. This can also be called "the Old Man" or "the Old Nature" and is best defined as "all that any individual is, apart from Jesus Christ". The flesh cannot please God because it is fallen and is under the curse of sin and death. People may do many “good things” without knowing the Lord, but all of us have sinned. We all fall short of God’s standard, which is sinless perfection. (Galatians 5:13-24, Romans 3:10 & 23)

III. The Devil. This is the title of the one who's name is Satan. He is a fallen angel. His origin is explained later in this book. When I refer to the Devil's "work", I am also referring to the work of other fallen creatures who work along with him. These creatures;+ fallen angels and demons, really do exist.

a. (Matthew 4:1-11, 9:33, Ephesians 6:12)

THE ORIGIN OF SATAN (THE DEVIL)

Ezekiel chapter 28, verses 13-15 and 17, as well as Isaiah chapter 14, verses 12-17, deal with the fall of the one who was originally called Lucifer. (Light Bearer or Son of the Morning) Before he became the devil, back when he was first created, he was a beautiful angel of light whose chief job was to lead the worship and praise of God in Heaven. He was well suited for his job, and he certainly possessed a great talent for it.