What is Spiritual Warfare?

Spiritual warfare, as depicted in the Bible, refers to the conflict between good and evil, the kingdom of God and the Kingdom of darkness. This struggle occurs within the believer's mind and is waged against Satan, evil spirits, or demons that meddle in human matters utilizing temptations and evil influences. This battle occurs both externally and internally, involving: Satan and his followers, who are fallen angels opposing and resenting God's plans on Earth; Sin, residing in human hearts and minds as lust, pride, and wicked intentions; and the lies and temptations Satan employs to resist God's will and purposes. 

The Origin of Spiritual Warfare is Sin

Satan is the originator of sin and rebellion against God. Satan is a fallen angel, once known as Lucifer or morningstar, who opposes God's will. In spiritual battles, the main adversary to God and believers is Satan. He actively seeks to deceive, tempt, and hinder us from following God’s plans and principles. Throughout scripture, Satan is named as a “tempter” (Matthew 4:3), “evil one” (1 John 5:18), “ruler of the demons” (Matthew 12:24), “a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8), “the God of this Age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Satan’s role in spiritual warfare is to deceive, accuse, and lie to the believer to influence them to oppose God and distract us from walking in unison with God’s plan of redemption and salvation for a lost and dying world.

What Part Does God Play in Spiritual Warfare?

God does not initiate it, but instead, He provides the believers with the power and authority through Christ Jesus to fight against evil and win. God is the believer’s Father, protector, and deliverer. Throughout scripture, God is named as “our Father” (Matthew 6:9), “the Savior” (Isaiah 12:2), “my refuge and my fortress” (Psalm 91:1-3). God gives us the victory to overcome the adversary of our soul and whatever is trying to defeat us. The victory comes through accepting and trusting Jesus for that victory, because He is the only one who conquers death, sin, sickness, and darkness. 1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.” Jesus tells the believer in John 16:33 NIV, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Deuteronomy 20:4 NIV says, “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” God’s role in our everyday battles against evil, the world, and our carnal desires and sinful tendencies is 

What Part Does the Believer Play in Spiritual Warfare?

God provides us with spiritual weapons to dismantle strongholds and bring all our thoughts into obedience to Christ. He also gives us spiritual armor, which some scholars interpret as protective blessings acquired through faith in Christ. Others see the armor as virtues that God encourages us to develop. I believe both interpretations are relevant to our daily lives. The most effective defense against the enemy's tactics is for believers to be diligent and faithfully apply God's spiritual safety measures. Therefore, believers are encouraged to "put on" the armor of God daily through prayer and meditation.  

Apply the Spiritual Armor and Declare Your Victory

Helmet of Salvation - God has given believers the assurance of salvation. Satan will attempt to attack the Christian’s thoughts and make them question their salvation. The helmet of salvation also helps us to have the mind of Christ. I declare that I put on the assurance of salvation that I have a right to through Christ’s redemptive work on the cross, and I take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. I plead the Blood of Jesus over my mind. No negative, doubting, or impure thoughts will enter my mind. 

Breastplate of righteousness - By the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross, we are made righteous in the sight of God through faith (Romans 5:19). I declare I am righteous through the Blood of Jesus. I will continue to walk righteously, to protect my heart from the dangers of sin.

Belt of Truth - God has given his truth to us by way of the Word, both living (Jesus Christ) and written (the Bible) (John 1:1, 14; 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). I declare the Word of God is true and all that God promised will be reproduced in my life, through Christ Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. I will meditate on God’s truth and let it permeate my heart and allow it to shape my life so that I become a person of integrity and continuously walk in spiritual safety.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace - The gospel (good news) provides the solid foundation of knowing that we have peace with God (Romans 5:1). I declare I have peace knowing that God is able to keep me from stumbling (Jude 24). I will be ready and proud to tell all who will hear that Jesus is my reason for my joy and victory. I will share the gospel so that others find peace and stability too.

Sword of the Spirit - The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God or the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” I declare that God’s word is alive and a mighty weapon against Satan’s attacks. When the spiritual forces of evil attempt to fight against me, I use the armor of the Word of God to speak against the powers of this world. God’s word is true, and Satan cannot withstand the absolute truth and must leave and desist from operating evil against me. 

Shield of Faith - God gives us the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16). The darts represent all the lies that the enemy hurls at us. Lies such as, we are not loved or enough. We will never be accepted or forgiven. I declare over all my life, I have faith that Jesus will cause me to be victorious. I wear my shield of faith to deflect the lies Satan uses to attempt to discourage me and bring me down. All fiery darts will be put out in Jesus’ name.

Walk Victoriously 

God’s promises to the believer are the main reason the devil wages war against the believer. 2 Peter 1:3-4 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these, he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

God Promises so Much to the Believer adapted from Ted Witzig Jr. Anxiety and Worry, Biblical View of God, Stress and Worry https://accounseling.org/mentalhealth/anxiety/gods-promises-to-the-believer/December 20, 2019 

*Please note that the following promises are exclusively available to believers only. If Jesus Christ is not Lord and Savior of your life, unfortunately, you cannot partake in any of these promises for your self. If you want to partake and receive these promises you can. You simply need to humble yourself, repent of your sin, and come to faith in Jesus today! Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” 

I have the promise of eternal life: Hebrews 9:15, “And for this cause he [Christ] is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

1 John 2:24-25, “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.”

I am a child of God: John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Galatians 4:6-7, And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Printable God’s Promises to the Believer - Small Version, click here.