Chapter 2 – Invisible Spiritual Battles
1. Spiritual Warfare
Although it’s not preached or taught much in churches these days, a subject that you probably don’t hear or know a lot about until now is ‘Spiritual Warfare’ (the spiritual battles that goes on in a person's mind) Ephesians 6:12. As a matter of fact, the bible tells us that this Spiritual Warfare is the unseen and overwhelming battles that rage within and around each of us everyday. As a result of this, the main reason most Christians struggle in their walk with the Lord is a ‘lack of knowledge’ of the spiritual battles that’s going on in the minds of believers’ everyday (Hosea 4:6). Even though there are many books and seminars being offered today on 'spiritual warfare', some of them are based on experience rather than the clear teaching of Scripture.
Therefore, our focus as believers in Christ must be only on what the Scriptures plainly says. So, in this chapter you will be shown how, according to the Holy Scriptures, spiritual warfare really does exist, with the hope that you will understand the importance of removing ‘demonic activity’ from your life and keeping your mind free from 'demonic influence' by using the tools (weapons) that the Lord has given to us in the Holy Scriptures, as you will discover farther on in this book. In essence, it is crucial that we stick to what the Holy Scriptures clearly says about spiritual warfare. Because, basically, whatever we need to know about how Satan and his forces work against us is contained in the Scriptures. You see, it is important to understand that the message of the Holy Scriptures is not only telling us the ‘good news of the gospel’, but is also showing us that our real ‘battle’ is not with NATURAL FOECES, but with INVISIBLE SPIRITUAL FORCES (Ephesians 6:11-12) that tries to influence our thoughts and actions, block the answers to our prayers, and keep us in bondage. For example, when a prayer seems unanswered, it’s not because God sometimes answers no or tells us to wait. But, biblically, it means angels and demons are fighting over it.
As evidenced by scripture in the book of Daniel chapter 10… “Then he said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.” In addition, Spiritual Battles are usually invisible and kept out of sight for most of us. Only those who pay attention know what forces hide in the shadows and reside in the light of heaven. It is a battle that is primarily a matter of the mind; a battle fought in our minds for control of our mind or (thoughts).
As a result, the most important battlefield of your life is your mind. Why? Because as you will discover, the thoughts you think everyday can be, and possibly are influenced by 'Invisible Spiritual Forces' (demons). These demon forces want to control your mind, because your thoughts determines your emotions, the words you speak, the actions you take and can even affect your health (Prov 23:7). Moreover, Satan, who is the leader of these 'Invisible Spiritual Forces', in his attack, uses three primary weapons against the believer:
#1 Deceptions (Mark 13:22; Rev 20:7) - To deceive somebody means to make another person believe a lie or something that is not true. So, do not underestimate Satan and his powers to deceive. Just as he deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden (1 Timothy 2:14;), you can be sure he still deceives people today in the same way (2 Corinthians 11:3)... Some examples are, he deceives some people that are on the road to hell into believing there is no hope for them. He also deceives others that are going to hell into believing they are really going to heaven. And for those that are saved, Satan often tries to deceive them into thinking they are not. As it is written in the Holy Scriptures: “BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT (be on your guard, be alert); BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR” - (1 Pe 5:8).
#2 Temptations - Temptation often follows deception (Matthew 6:13). For example, in Genesis, first the enemy tells Eve, "You won't surely die!", and then he makes the fruit on the forbidden tree look good to her (Genesis 3:6). For instance, from the Holy Scriptures we learn that all temptations follow the same pattern and is a four-step process that starts in the 'mind' and leads to 'disobedience'... That’s why Paul said, “We are very familiar with Satan’s evil schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Step one is the mind: Temptation always starts with your mind... Satan identifies a desire inside of you. In Mark 7:21-23, Yehoshua said, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man”. Moreover, according to James 4:1 “There is a whole army of evil desires within you.”
Step two is doubt: Satan tries to get you to doubt what God has said about sin.
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God (Hebrews 3:12). So, watch out! Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God!
Step three is destruction: Satan is incapable of telling the truth. He offers his lie to replace what God has already said in his Word.
Yehoshua said in John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it”.
Step four is disobedience. You finally act on the thought you’ve been toying with in your mind.
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren” James 1:14-16.
#3 Accusations - The devil is known as the accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:9-10; 20:3)... When someone comes to God in prayer, in a sense it can be likened to going before a 'Judge' (God) in a courtroom, with Satan as your accuser or (prosecutor) and and the Lord Yehoshua (Jesus) as your only defense attorney. You see, my friend, Satan accuses us before God everyday, trying to block our efforts and gain a 'legal right' to wreck havoc in our lives. This is why as Christians we need to be vigil; keeping our minds renewed with the Word of God (Eph 6:11; 2 Thess 3:3).
In addition to all of this, Satan’s attacks against us also come in various other forms, such as: 1) He uses the ungodly world (which he controls (1 John 5:19) to stir up fleshly lusts within us that tempt us to sin. 2) He uses the unbelieving world to attempt to deceive us with worldly “wisdom” opposed to God’s truth. 3) He uses false Christians to try to mislead us into a false gospel centered on a false image and teaching of Christ (Matthew 7:15, 24:24; 2 Peter 2:1-3). 4) He sometimes physically afflicts us or our loved ones with sickness, crime, tragedy, or persecution. His ability to put obstacles in your path is great. By the same token, if you are a newly saved Christian, be on your guard, because one method of these invisible demon forces is to attack a newly saved person (someone who has recently accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour)… The main reason he does this is to cause you to doubt your faith in the Lord, hinder and block your spiritual growth and development (kill your spirit, steal your joy and destroy your life)…
So you see, once you are saved, there is a battle to be fought. Satan and his demon forces can be expected to attack a new Christian in ways that the person cannot imagine. Read this example from the Holy Scriptures: As it is written, BELOVED, THINK IT NOT STRANGE (do not be surprised) CONCERNING THE FIERY (or painful) TRIAL WHICH IS TO TRY (or test) YOU, AS THOUGH SOME STRANGE THING HAPPENED UNTO YOU: BUT REJOICE, INASMUCH AS YE ARE PARTAKERS OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS; THAT, WHEN HIS GLORY SHALL BE REVEALED, YE MAY BE GLAD ALSO WITH EXCEEDING JOY. IF YE BE REPROACHED (or insulted)... FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, HAPPY ARE YE; FOR THE SPIRIT OF GLORY AND OF GOD RESTETH UPON YOU: ON THEIR PART HE IS EVIL SPOKEN OF, BUT ON YOUR PART HE IS GLORIFIED-(1 Pe 4:12-14). So, if you are a newly saved Christian, be aware because the enemy will try to defeat you before you can grow spiritually strong enough to defeat him.
To understand the battle, we need to begin by recognizing and acknowledging that we are in a war. As it has been shown, as Christians, we are in a spiritual battle of some sort on a daily basis. Some examples to help you recognize when someone is in a ‘spiritual battle’ are as follows: For instance, a loss of spiritual desire, or pulling away from Godly relationships, there can be a war going on inside. Or when a person is struggling to overcome their evil and sinful desires or addictions; old habits and lifestyles resurface and old iniquities start tempting you, is a sure sign of spiritual attack. Or whenever you have thoughts that are conflicting with the word of God, you can have a spiritual battle going on in your mind. Someone who is struggling in their prayer life can be going through a spiritual battle. When weird things are happening to you that test your patience and faith, you are most likely in a ‘spiritual battle’. Not only that, but certain physical problems; anything from physical fatigue, to feeling out of sorts, can be due to possible demonic activity.
For example, there may be times when you feel like people are harassing you, or you are hearing voices. Or you get upset at the least little thing, and you just don't feel yourself. Likewise, when feeling overwhelmed and helpless because of your circumstances; this too could be a sign that you are under ‘spiritual attack’. In essence, if you are feeling a lot of pressure, confusion, stress and anxiety, there is a real possibility that there may be a spiritual battle going on inside of you. But not to worry, in the following pages you will discover that, as stated before, God has already given us the weapons we need to stand against the tactics of the devil (2 Cor 10:4; Eph 6:10-20) and how to use them! Thank God Satan and his demon forces cannot do all that they wish to do to us; the Holy Scriptures teach that God only allows Satan a certain amount of freedom; see (Job 1:12) and that freedom is always limited. So, as believers in Christ, when we experience the attacks of Satan, we can trust the truth of the Holy Scriptures. Romans 8:28 declares - "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God..."
Therefore, by this passage of scripture we can assume that as we go through life we will experience "good" things and also "bad" things (though 'bad' things do not come directly from God - James 1:17), but "all" of these things can be made to contribute toward "good" ends as God works them out. You see, even the attacks of Satan, although evil, can and will ultimately have a "good" result, as God uses them to conform us to Christ, His Son see (Romans 8:29). By the same token, Romans 8:28 is telling us that “all things” mean that 'all' of our 'spiritual weapons' when we use them are 'working together for our good'. So, with this in mind, attacks from Satan and his minions, along with all other 'trials' and 'tribulations', can actually cause believers to love God more, resist Satanic attacks more, practice patience, and grow stronger in our faith in many other ways. Praise God for His sovereign protection. Thank Him for His plan to make everything; even Satan’s attacks, "work together for good" for you! Bottom line is, we are either victors or victims. So take control of your life...
To be sure, our victory in spiritual warfare is when we are covered with the blood of Yehoshua, standing firm; resisting, overcoming and defeating the enemy's lies that he sends our way, in the form of deception, temptations and accusations. Remember, first and foremost, our only hope is in the Lord Yehoshua… The bible declares that: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (Romans 10:10) KJV...
So, as you can see, Christ has come and conquered. And in the first place, the war is already won in heaven. Because, Yehoshua told us in Matthew 28:18 that, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” And by the same token, Yehoshua give us power over all devils and demons – “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents (devils) and scorpions (demons), and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). In other words, It is only with Him that we can have victory in our spiritual battles. So you see, it’s not on our strength that we succeed in battle… Oh no, we fight and succeed by calling on the greatest warrior in all eternity… The HOLY SPIRIT; our sword and companion. Call on the strength of the Lord, and you will be strong enough to stand strong against the wiles of the devil and his demon forces...
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17) KJV