A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Eph 6: 10 – 18 NLT)
There are two primary errors when it comes to spiritual warfare—
1. Over-emphasis
2. 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 that our battle is against spiritual powers.
The key to successful spiritual warfare is finding the biblical balance. Jesus sometimes cast demons out of people and sometimes healed people with no mention of the demonic.
The apostle Paul instructs Christians to wage war against the sin in themselves
Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.
( Romans 6: 1 – 13 NLT)
Ephesians 6:10-12 declares, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.”
This text teaches some crucial truths:
1. We can only be strong in the Lord’s power
It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that Christians have any authority over Satan and his demons.
2. It is God’s armor that protects us
It is only in His Name that our rebuke has any power.
3. Our battle is against spiritual forces of evil in the world.
Ephesians 6:13-18 gives a description of the spiritual armor God gives us.
1. The belt of truth,
2. The breastplate of righteousness,
3. The gospel of peace,
4. The shield of faith,
5. The helmet of salvation,
6. The sword of the Spirit,
7. Praying in the Spirit.
What do these spiritual armor represent in spiritual warfare?
We are to speak the truth against Satan’s lies.
We are to rest in the fact that we are declared righteous because of Christ’s sacrifice for us.
We are to proclaim the gospel no matter how much resistance we receive, and practice the peace that comes from the gospel of Christ.
We are not to waver in our faith, no matter how strongly we are attacked.
Our ultimate defense is the assurance we have of our salvation, an assurance that no spiritual force can take away.
Our offensive weapons:
The Word of God, not our own opinions and feelings.
We are to follow Jesus’ example in recognizing that some spiritual victories are only possible through prayer.
Jesus is our ultimate example for spiritual warfare. Observe how Jesus handled direct
attacks from Satan when He was tempted by him in the wilderness ( Matthew 4:1-11 ).
Each temptation was answered the same way — with the words “It is written.” Jesus knew the Word of the living God is the most powerful weapon against the temptations of the devil.
If Jesus Himself used the Word to counter the devil, do we dare to use anything less?
The ultimate example of how not to engage in spiritual warfare is the experience of the seven sons of Sceva.
A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered. (Acts 19: 13 – 16 NLT)
A. They didnt have a personal relationship with Jesus
B. They learnt only the prayer pattern/method
C. They didn’t know the Bible by Revelation
In summary
keys to success in spiritual warfare
1. We rely on God’s power, and not on human power.
2. We exercise our God given authority only in Jesus’ Name,
3. We protect ourselves with the full armor of God.
4. We wage war with the sword of the Spirit – (which is the Word of God).
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Finally, remember that while we wage spiritual warfare against Satan and his demons, not every sin or problem is a demon that needs to be rebuked.
