The subject of spiritual warfare is far too multifaceted to cover in a brief series. However one must begin somewhere as there is a poverty of teaching on the subject in the average church, be it denominational or independent. Hopefully what is presented may serve as an introduction to a subject unfamiliar to the vast majority of professing believers in the United States. For if Scripture makes anything clear, it’s that a fierce battle has been ongoing between good and evil ever since the creation of man. It even appears the battle began earlier than creation of man inasmuch as Satan, presumably along with his fallen minions, appears to have been waiting for Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.
Two opposed errors are prone to occur with spiritual warfare, namely under- or over- emphasis of demonic influence in the life of believers. The greatest error of all, however, is to ignore a threat posed by the enemy of our souls by not recognizing Satan’s schemes and failing to follow biblical instructions to thwart his attacks. Yet that is exactly what is taking place in most of our churches. Most in ordained ministry would not recognize the presence of an evil spirit if they encountered its manifestation. Yet they do so on a quite regular basis, yet failing to have the discernment or knowledge as to how to set free those in their congregations under demonic influence in some manner.
Several points should be made at the onset. The first is that approximately one-fourth of Jesus’ earthly ministry was directed to dealing with the demonic. It is not a minor matter. The second is that the Lord never sent disciples simply to preach. Never! They were to preach a coming of the kingdom of heaven which consistently included Jesus’ command to do what the Lord Himself did, namely heal the sick and expel demons when necessary. The apostle John would later write under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8). Only emphasizing the shedding of Jesus’ blood for the forgiveness of sins is simply not scriptural.
It is prayerfully intended that these lessons, incomplete as they are, will stir awareness in the reader as to the importance of spiritual warfare. But let’s beware at the onset to avoid any idea as to there being a ‘demon behind every bush.’ The devil is not deserving of that much credit. A consequences of the Fall in the garden of Eden that resulted from Adam’s decision to exercise his God-given gift of free will and to disobey the revealed will of God is of much greater importance. The cry of our flesh to act independently of God is louder than the voice of Satan, even for those who have already come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. And the ever-constant draw of the world is perhaps an even greater threat yet.
Finally, please do not allow yourself to view these lessons as a ‘formula’ for how to deal with your own struggles or those of others. If I’ve learned anything in my latter years, it’s that the “battle belongs to the Lord” and a sin of presumption must be carefully avoided whenever dealing with spiritual warfare. I would place far greater emphasis on the need for crucifixion of self and being more fully submitted to the lordship of Christ than any other matter. Nonetheless, may the Holy Spirit be your teacher as you proceed and grant you abundant revelation regarding the seriousness of this subject for living in the victory over demonic attack which should be the inheritance of every true believer.
