Spiritual Warfare: Standing Firm in the Battle
Since my last post focused on demons and demonization, it seems fitting to continue the conversation with a broader look at spiritual warfare. I want to apologize in advance for this long and lengthy post, but I was not comfortable cutting it off early.
When we hear messages or read books on spiritual warfare, we often come across some of the most dramatic and sensational accounts imaginable. While I don’t want to be overly dramatic, I do want to provide a clear and biblical understanding of this battle and how we can stand firm in it.
This post will center on Ephesians 6:10-18, a foundational passage on spiritual warfare. As we explore this text, we’ll consider three key aspects:
1. The reality of our battle
2. Who we are fighting
3. How we win
Let’s begin by looking at the passage itself:
When we hear messages or read books on spiritual warfare, we often come across some of the most dramatic and sensational accounts imaginable. While I don’t want to be overly dramatic, I do want to provide a clear and biblical understanding of this battle and how we can stand firm in it.
This post will center on Ephesians 6:10-18, a foundational passage on spiritual warfare. As we explore this text, we’ll consider three key aspects:
1. The reality of our battle
2. Who we are fighting
3. How we win
Let’s begin by looking at the passage itself:
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints (Ephesians 6:10–18, CSB)
Scripture’s Clear Call: We Are in a Spiritual Battle
Many Christians fail to recognize that we are in the midst of a cosmic spiritual battle. This amazes me because Paul makes it unmistakably clear to the believers in Ephesus:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” (Ephesians 6:12, CSB)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” (Ephesians 6:12, CSB)
Paul doesn’t describe this as a possibility—he states plainly that believers are in an ongoing war against spiritual forces. And Ephesians 6 isn’t the only place that supports this truth; Scripture consistently affirms it.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (CSB) warns, “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” If we weren’t in a spiritual war, why would Scripture command us to stay vigilant and alert? The enemy is actively seeking to destroy, and ignoring this reality only makes us more vulnerable.
Jesus Himself acknowledged this battle when He told His disciples in Luke 10:19, “Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing at all will harm you.” If there were no spiritual conflict, why would Jesus give His followers authority over the enemy? Clearly, He expected them to confront and overcome spiritual opposition.
One of the clearest pictures of this battle is found in Matthew 16:18 (CSB), where Jesus declares, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” This verse is one of my favorites on the topic because it doesn’t just describe a defensive struggle—it portrays the church on the offensive. Gates are not weapons of attack; they are barriers meant to keep invaders out.Jesus is saying that the kingdom of God is advancing, and the forces of hell cannot stand against it.
Spiritual warfare is not about hiding, surviving, or playing defense—it’s about conquering. Our Savior has already won the ultimate victory, and as His followers, we are called to walk in that triumph.
There is a reason that Paul begins this section by telling us who we are fighting. That’s simply because we usually blame people for the conflict we are experiencing. Paul doesn’t want us to blame people, he wants us to understand that our enemy is a spiritual one we cannot see.
Understanding Our Enemy: Who We Are Truly Fighting
It's essential to discuss the entities we are battling against. The key point to grasp is that the devil and demons are not equivalent to God; they are created spiritual beings that rebelled against their Creator. Throughout church history, many have interpreted two specific scripture passages as referring to the earthly kings of their time. However, numerous theologians and some early church fathers have noted that these passages also clearly parallel the fall of Satan. I invite you to examine these texts, as they provide a vivid description of the fall of the one we call "Satan": Isaiah 14:3-21 and Ezekiel 28:12-17.
Satan was a member of God's "heavenly host"(or army) and he decided that he himself wanted to take the place of God. He really thought of himself so highly that he believed he could ascend to the throne and remove God from it. Interestingly enough we see that Satan was not the only spiritual being who decided to rebel.
In Genesis 6:1-2, we see that spiritual beings chose to "mate" with human women, resulting in offspring referred to as the "Nephilim." This is where the concept of giants originates according to various ancient texts and traditions. However, the primary message of this passage is to illustrate that members of God's heavenly host chose to rebel against Him. This marks the origin of the enemies we struggle against: Satan, who believed he could be greater than God, and the "sons of God," who followed their own desires and sought to further corrupt God's creation, humanity.
The Powers of Our Opponents
This is where people in our culture often react in strange ways, and I want to emphasize that I aim to provide a balanced and biblical perspective on this topic. However, we cannot ignore the undeniable truth that Satan and demons possess real power and abilities that surpass our understanding. I think one of the biggest ways the devil attacks us is by repeatedly difficult life circumstances. You know, those moments where nothing is going right, and it seems like someone actively trying to hinder everything you do.
The primary way that demonic entities influence individuals is through deception. In the beginning, Satan tricked Eve into doubting and disobeying God. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, the devil attempted to use Scripture to mislead the Son of God (which ultimately failed). In John 8:44, Jesus refers to Satan as "the father of lies." When I took mixed martial arts classes, we learned a technique called "the clinch," where you gain control of your opponent's head. This is effective because the body follows the head's direction. Spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, it's similar: if the enemy can make us doubt the truth, he can then influence our actions and decisions.
Another tool in the enemy's arsenal is temptation. The devil is not foolish; he is an ancient being who has spent thousands of years observing humanity and devising ways to lead us away from God. He has had ample time to study us, and it’s fair to say he is far more intelligent than we are. In Genesis 3:1-6, we see how the devil not only deceived Eve but also tempted her with what was forbidden. I believe this is still how he operates today. Have you ever experienced days when your mind was bombarded with tempting thoughts? Perhaps you struggled with lustful impulses or felt a sudden urge to return to drinking like you used to. These thoughts often seem to appear out of nowhere, and you can’t shake them off. I would suggest that these may be the temptations of the enemy at work.
Affliction and illness are another aspect of the enemy's power. In Luke 13, we encounter a woman who suffered from a back condition that left her bent over for many years. Jesus addressed her ailment as having a spiritual root, not merely a physical one. It’s intriguing to note that throughout the gospels, healing often goes hand in hand with deliverance from demons. I can’t help but wonder how many mental and physical afflictions we face today that medicine cannot resolve, but can only be overcome by rebuking the devil.
Lastly, witchcraft is a very real and serious power of the enemy. Many view witchcraft as mere superstition, but I strongly disagree. In Exodus, Pharaoh's magicians were able to replicate nearly every miracle God performed through Moses. If witchcraft were simply a fabrication, how could they accomplish that? Don’t be misled into engaging in any form of witchcraft. If you attempt to contact the dead, I assure you that you won’t reach your long-lost grandmother, but rather a demon. If you practice tarot cards, I promise you it isn’t "the energy of the universe" guiding you. By partnering with these practices, you are giving demons power over your life.
Conquering the Enemy: Strategies for Victory
I want to give probably the most non-climactic advice you have ever heard for overcoming the enemy in your life. I don't think the spiritual life was ever meant to be super complicated. I think we have made it way too complicated.
1. The Armor of God- A Metaphorical Image This might unsettle some readers, but I want to begin with a strong statement: "I believe we have taken Paul's metaphor far beyond its intended meaning." I don’t think Paul intended for us to fixate on the specific meanings of each piece of armor or what it protects. For instance, salvation wasn’t specifically meant to guard the mind, nor was righteousness intended solely to protect the heart. I also question why the helmet of salvation is said to protect our minds when God wears salvation as His helmet in Isaiah 59. Does God really need His mind protected? Additionally, in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Paul refers to the helmet as "the hope of salvation." We need to be cautious about pushing the metaphor too far or assigning rigid meanings to each piece of armor.
These elements emphasize our need to rid ourselves of evil and reflect the attributes of God's character that we should embody. We don righteousness, salvation, faith, and truth to withstand every attack from the devil. Moreover, the phrase "shoes sandaled with the readiness of the Gospel of peace" likely refers to being prepared to spread the Gospel wherever we go. Ultimately, these characteristics of God’s nature represent foundational aspects of the Christian life, and how we defeat the devil everywhere we go.
The armor of God was meant to be practical and practically lived. Think about it for a second: faith, truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, and God's word are all listed. We overcome in life by being committed to these simple attributes. It's not done by anointing your house with oil or screaming as loud as we possibly can, but by being committed to living a godly lifestyle. In doing so, there is no power the enemy can throw at you.
2. The power of prayer In verse 18 of Ephesians 6, Paul intentionally includes prayer as a vital component of spiritual warfare. Prayer is how God partners with His creation, providing us with wisdom, power, and acting on our behalf. It stands to reason that prayer should play an active role in overcoming the enemy. When Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, He concludes with, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." This highlights that prayer is meant to be integral to our victory as we approach our Father for help.
I want to emphasize that it’s not just any prayer, but prayer in the Spirit. While this can encompass various forms of spirit-led prayer, it’s noteworthy that Paul often uses this term to refer to speaking in tongues. I might explore the topic of tongues in a future post, but for now, I can say that praying in tongues has been incredibly effective in helping me win personal battles in my life.
It's essential to discuss the entities we are battling against. The key point to grasp is that the devil and demons are not equivalent to God; they are created spiritual beings that rebelled against their Creator. Throughout church history, many have interpreted two specific scripture passages as referring to the earthly kings of their time. However, numerous theologians and some early church fathers have noted that these passages also clearly parallel the fall of Satan. I invite you to examine these texts, as they provide a vivid description of the fall of the one we call "Satan": Isaiah 14:3-21 and Ezekiel 28:12-17.
In Genesis 6:1-2, we see that spiritual beings chose to "mate" with human women, resulting in offspring referred to as the "Nephilim." This is where the concept of giants originates according to various ancient texts and traditions. However, the primary message of this passage is to illustrate that members of God's heavenly host chose to rebel against Him. This marks the origin of the enemies we struggle against: Satan, who believed he could be greater than God, and the "sons of God," who followed their own desires and sought to further corrupt God's creation, humanity.
Another tool in the enemy's arsenal is temptation. The devil is not foolish; he is an ancient being who has spent thousands of years observing humanity and devising ways to lead us away from God. He has had ample time to study us, and it’s fair to say he is far more intelligent than we are. In Genesis 3:1-6, we see how the devil not only deceived Eve but also tempted her with what was forbidden. I believe this is still how he operates today. Have you ever experienced days when your mind was bombarded with tempting thoughts? Perhaps you struggled with lustful impulses or felt a sudden urge to return to drinking like you used to. These thoughts often seem to appear out of nowhere, and you can’t shake them off. I would suggest that these may be the temptations of the enemy at work.
Affliction and illness are another aspect of the enemy's power. In Luke 13, we encounter a woman who suffered from a back condition that left her bent over for many years. Jesus addressed her ailment as having a spiritual root, not merely a physical one. It’s intriguing to note that throughout the gospels, healing often goes hand in hand with deliverance from demons. I can’t help but wonder how many mental and physical afflictions we face today that medicine cannot resolve, but can only be overcome by rebuking the devil.
Lastly, witchcraft is a very real and serious power of the enemy. Many view witchcraft as mere superstition, but I strongly disagree. In Exodus, Pharaoh's magicians were able to replicate nearly every miracle God performed through Moses. If witchcraft were simply a fabrication, how could they accomplish that? Don’t be misled into engaging in any form of witchcraft. If you attempt to contact the dead, I assure you that you won’t reach your long-lost grandmother, but rather a demon. If you practice tarot cards, I promise you it isn’t "the energy of the universe" guiding you. By partnering with these practices, you are giving demons power over your life.
Conquering the Enemy: Strategies for Victory
I want to give probably the most non-climactic advice you have ever heard for overcoming the enemy in your life. I don't think the spiritual life was ever meant to be super complicated. I think we have made it way too complicated.
1. The Armor of God- A Metaphorical Image
This might unsettle some readers, but I want to begin with a strong statement: "I believe we have taken Paul's metaphor far beyond its intended meaning." I don’t think Paul intended for us to fixate on the specific meanings of each piece of armor or what it protects. For instance, salvation wasn’t specifically meant to guard the mind, nor was righteousness intended solely to protect the heart. I also question why the helmet of salvation is said to protect our minds when God wears salvation as His helmet in Isaiah 59. Does God really need His mind protected? Additionally, in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Paul refers to the helmet as "the hope of salvation." We need to be cautious about pushing the metaphor too far or assigning rigid meanings to each piece of armor.
These elements emphasize our need to rid ourselves of evil and reflect the attributes of God's character that we should embody. We don righteousness, salvation, faith, and truth to withstand every attack from the devil. Moreover, the phrase "shoes sandaled with the readiness of the Gospel of peace" likely refers to being prepared to spread the Gospel wherever we go. Ultimately, these characteristics of God’s nature represent foundational aspects of the Christian life, and how we defeat the devil everywhere we go.
The armor of God was meant to be practical and practically lived. Think about it for a second: faith, truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, and God's word are all listed. We overcome in life by being committed to these simple attributes. It's not done by anointing your house with oil or screaming as loud as we possibly can, but by being committed to living a godly lifestyle. In doing so, there is no power the enemy can throw at you.
2. The power of prayer
In verse 18 of Ephesians 6, Paul intentionally includes prayer as a vital component of spiritual warfare. Prayer is how God partners with His creation, providing us with wisdom, power, and acting on our behalf. It stands to reason that prayer should play an active role in overcoming the enemy. When Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, He concludes with, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." This highlights that prayer is meant to be integral to our victory as we approach our Father for help.
I want to emphasize that it’s not just any prayer, but prayer in the Spirit. While this can encompass various forms of spirit-led prayer, it’s noteworthy that Paul often uses this term to refer to speaking in tongues. I might explore the topic of tongues in a future post, but for now, I can say that praying in tongues has been incredibly effective in helping me win personal battles in my life.
3. The Word of God
In Paul's metaphor we see the word of God is the only thing with any sort of offensive capabilities. Think back to Matthew 4:1-11 where every single time the devil spoke to Jesus, he only responded by saying, "It is written." Then Jesus simply said, "Be gone Satan!" When we are confronted with demonic power, opposition, or temptation, we must simply respond with the Word and command the devil to shut up! We have been given all authority over the devil and his power. We must simply stand on that authority and command him to leave us. When we do this we can rest in the promise of James 4:7 and be assured that he will flee!
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