Spiritual warfare is a hot topic in Christianity, but what does spiritual warfare actually look like? Do each of us have an angel and a demon on our shoulders? How do you know if you’re experiencing spiritual warfare? Can you get out of a spiritual agreement? If you’re experiencing spiritual warfare, how do you overcome? In this blog, we’re going to learn what the Bible says about spiritual warfare, the reality of angels and demons, and how to have victory in spiritual warfare through Jesus Christ.
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What Spiritual Warfare Is
At a high level, spiritual warfare is how the kingdom of darkness uses non-physical means to influence believers in the physical realm. Through thoughts and spiritual suggestions, Christians may struggle with lies and accusations about the Bible, God, and their own identity. Another aspect of spiritual warfare is when the demonic make moves to lure people to follow Satan rather than Jesus.
Spiritual warfare can look like:
- Sudden lies and accusation
- Incessant fear, worry, and evil thoughts
- Wrestling with temptation and sin habits (lust, greed, lying)
- Relational division that seems to pop up out of nowhere
- Spiritual slumber and apathy
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What Spiritual Warfare Isn’t
While spiritual warfare is a constant reality for the believer, sometimes Christians can exaggerate what spiritual warfare is…when in reality, they’re just walking through normal difficulties. For example, if you don’t get the parking spot you desire at the grocery store, that’s just life; that’s not spiritual warfare. Or if you don’t get the job or the promotion you’ve been praying for, God may be forming character in you; don’t be quick to call it spiritual warfare.
This is why having a strong, Christian community around you is essential to help you discern what’s spiritual warfare, what’s the mountains and valleys of normal life, or whether you’re experiencing a physical health challenge, mental health challenge, or a spiritual challenge.
Learn more about why community is essential to following Jesus in our blog: Why You Should Pursue Community As a Christian
What the Bible Says About Spiritual Warfare
The Bible is full of scriptures about spiritual warfare and gives us encouragement, hope, and power to resist the evil and the demonic.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
– Ephesians 6:11
Ephesians 6 is one of the most well-known Bible verses on spiritual warfare. In verse 11, this scripture about spiritual warfare tells us to put on the full armor of God as protection against evil. In later verses, Ephesians 6 tells us what each piece of armor represents. For example, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The word for “schemes” in this Bible verse about spiritual warfare is methodeia, which is translated to mean a road or a single course.
Choosing Jesus’ ways instead of the devil’s way is possible. Discover how in our blog: What Does the Bible Say About Self-Control?
In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
– 2 Corinthians 2:11
2 Corinthians 2:11 is a Bible verse about spiritual warfare that warns Christians to stay alert and on their guard against the devil’s schemes. In this scripture about spiritual warfare, the Greek word noēmata is used to explain the enemy’s twisted mind, intellect, and schemes. Scriptures on spiritual warfare remind Christians that they have a real enemy. However, Bible verses on spiritual warfare also encourage Christians to stay strong in the faith, steadfast in prayer, and unafraid of the devil.
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For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
– 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Bible verses on spiritual warfare like 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 remind Christians that there is a spiritual realm, far more active than the physical realm we live in. Scriptures on spiritual warfare often talk about invisible realities that influence physical realities. While there are earthly weapons in a time of war, there are spiritual weapons too. Bible verses on spiritual warfare remind Christians that they have divine power, given to them by God, to demolish spiritual strongholds.
Download our FREE e-book to learn more about prayer and spiritual warfare: Let’s Talk About Prayer: Simple Steps to Connect with God
The Reality of Angels & Demons
One of the main aspects of spiritual warfare is that there are angels and demons active in the spiritual realm at all times. God has commissioned angels to be ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). Whereas demons are fallen angels that are deceitful, evil, and have the potential to oppress and possess humans (Mark 1:23-27, Matthew 12:43-45). However, even the demons believe that Jesus is Lord, and they are obedient and submissive to Him when confronted with His power(James 2:19, Mark 5:1-20).
In spiritual warfare, angels and demons are fighting — angels fighting on behalf of the Kingdom of God and demons warring on behalf of the kingdom of darkness. According to interpretations of Bible verses on spiritual warfare like Revelation 5:11 and Deuteronomy 33:2, most Christians agree that there are far more angels than demons. Roughly 2/3 of the angelic hosts serve Jesus, whereas 1/3 of the demons, who are fallen angels, were kicked out of heaven and now serve the devil (Revelation 12:4).
Because of Jesus, Christians also have access to supernatural power through the Holy Spirit to discern good from evil and angels from demons.
Discover more in our blog: What Does the Bible Say About Discernment?
How to Have Victory in Spiritual Warfare
Now that you’ve discovered Bible verses on spiritual warfare and what the Bible says about angels and demons, it’s time to read some simple tips on how to have victory as a Christian in the midst of spiritual warfare.
- Pray: Prayer is essential to having victory in spiritual warfare. Praying through Bible verses about spiritual warfare is key in overcoming spiritual forces of darkness. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He only responded to the devil with the word of God (Matthew 4:1-17).
- Don’t Go Alone: One of the devil’s greatest tactics in spiritual warfare is isolation. So, one of the greatest weapons Christians have in spiritual warfare is to make sure they’re not alone. A strong Christian community is able to pray for you, walk with you, and help you during times of trouble and spiritual warfare.
- Read the Bible: The Bible is the word of God, and the devil hates when we read it. If you ever find yourself getting bored or even agitated at the thought of reading the Bible: move towards the Bible anyways. Saturating yourself in the word of God and renewing your mind with the Holy Scriptures is a great way to have the victory in spiritual warfare.
- Be Careful What You Listen To: Every day, we are inundated with images, music, movies, television, and conversations that are lustful, prideful, sinful, and demonic. To be victorious in spiritual warfare, Christians must be intentional about what they listen to and what they agree with.
Rather than listening to true crime podcasts, try listening to testimonies of people who found Jesus in extreme places. Instead of watching pornography, be intentional to confess your sin and run in the opposite direction of lust. You may also want to try a music fast, where you only listen to worship music for a set period of time to renew your mind on the truth of God’s word and restore your spiritual discernment. - Acknowledge Lies & Practice Forgiveness: One of the main ways Christians can have victory in spiritual warfare is to acknowledge lies they are believing and be quick to forgive those who have hurt them. For a step-by-step guide on how to walk through lies and practice forgiveness, hear from our friend Rachel Bailey on breaking free from lies.
Conclusion
For most Christians, acknowledging that the spiritual realm is real is half the battle in overcoming times of spiritual warfare. The Bible paints a consistent picture of the battle between good and evil, the reality of angels and demons, and the victory that’s available to us through Jesus Christ. As you stay steadfast in prayer, acknowledge lies and practice forgiveness, and are intentional about staying in a healthy Christian community, you will find that times of spiritual warfare won’t take you out; they’ll just make you stronger.
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