Spiritual Warfare As We Know It

Defining What We Know About Spiritual Warfare – Part 1

Offensive and Defensive Prayer – Part 2.1

What does it mean to abandon the concept of “spiritual warfare” as we know it? Allow me to put you at ease, first. I don’t want you to think you’ve done anything wrong using the term nor do I want you to think you’ve performed wrong actions in your “spiritual warfare” efforts. What I would like to highlight is a thought that what we currently know has room to grow. You know that God’s ways are better than ours. [1] Therefore when we encounter and interact with Him our ways get better. This includes the knowledge and wisdom that we have. There is a popular Bible verse that says, “if any man lacks wisdom, let Him ask of God.” [2] That directs me to this question. Have you ever asked God for the wisdom that you lack when it comes to “spiritual warfare?” Well I have and that’s where this message begins. The goal is to take what you and I know about this topic and build upon it. In other words, take it to the next level. It is not to discredit or leave you where you’ve always been, but to propel you forward. May we begin?

Defining “Spiritual Warfare”
Let’s define “spiritual warfare” as we know it. Here’s what I’ve done so that this definition isn’t my thoughts alone, but rather a collection of definitions from well respected pray-ers (people who pray). These answers come from the most experienced pray-ers to some of the most novice of pray-ers. Their answers are a mixture of old, young, and people with diverse backgrounds. Here’s what the group offered when asked to define “spiritual warfare.” Spiritual warfare is…

  • Fighting against evil spirits
  • Fighting against demons
  • Fighting against the devil’s schemes
  • Battling principalities (whatever that is)
  • Fighting against evil rulers
  • Spiritual battles we don’t see [with our eyes]
  • Do battle with the powers of the world
  • Fights that are not physical, but mental
  • Fighting against what is not flesh and blood (not natural)

After hearing these responses I then wanted to see what the internet had to offer. I found this definition, which I really like, on Wikipedia. “Spiritual warfare is the Christian concept of fighting against the work of preternatural evil forces.” [3] “Preternatural evil forces!”

How Does “Spiritual Warfare” Look?
After collecting definitions, I wanted to look closer at these words by describing what “spiritual warfare” looks like in action? While our definitions were numerous in quantity, we had fewer responses to what it looks like. However, we all agreed with the responses. Spiritual warfare consists of these efforts…

  • Prayer
  • Prayer & Fasting
  • Corporate or group prayer
  • Quoting scriptures and standing on God’s word

Abandoning the Concept of Spiritual Warfare as We Know It
After hearing and considering the replies, I immediately understood why Pamela and I are passionate about transforming the world of prayer.

If doing “spiritual warfare” is what’s listed above, it leaves us with two conclusions.

  1. Most individuals aren’t confident in what it means to do “spiritual warfare.”
    If the best pray-ers, are a little shaky in what it means to do “spiritual warfare,” a person new to the family of faith doesn’t stand a chance.
  2. Prayer, Fasting, and Scripture are the common denominators.
    Looking at what the consensus gives us for what it takes for “spiritual warfare,” it comes down to prayer, fasting, and scripture. Again, if this is so, then we are in big trouble. Let me paint this picture for you as one who teaches others who love the subject of prayer.
    • Prayer. Very few people understand prayer and even more lack the disciplines of prayer. So if this is what we need for “spiritual warfare,” we’re probably not winning that battle.
    • Fasting. Fasting requires more effort than prayer-without-fasting. That means there are fewer people who practice fasting. If that’s true, that means our spiritual battle isn’t looking very promising.
    • Scripture. I hate to bring this to your attention. While most people say they read their Bibles, it just is not true. Reading your Bible, reading anything constantly, takes discipline that most (51% or more) just don’t have. If that’s true then knowing scripture and being able to use scripture is uncommon. This also points to a deficiency when it comes to using it in warring in spiritual things.

If how we define “spiritual warfare” and what it looks like is true to any degree. It can only mean one thing. There is more to it than we know. This line of questioning opens the door for us to learn more. What would it mean to you if I were to tell you that the term “spiritual warfare” isn’t found in the Bible? Maybe “spiritual warfare” is a part of something greater. The most important question is, using the definitions we have, how do we get beyond what is common and take this to the next level? More to come in our next installment of “Offensive and Defensive Prayer.” 

Question: how do you define “spiritual warfare?”

[1] ‭‭Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬, Bible.com, accessed November 30, 2022, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/ISA.55.8-9.NLT
[2] ‭‭James 1:5 NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬, Bible.com, accessed November 30, 2022, https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.1.5.NIV
[3] Wikipedia. “Spiritual warfare” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Accessed November 30, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_warfare
Arnold, Clinton E. (1997). 3 crucial questions about spiritual warfare. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Publishing Group. p. 17. ISBN 0801057841.

All Scripture references used by permission, see our Scripture copyrights. [https://www.kerryaclark.com/scripture-copyrights/

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