Spiritual Warfare Part 2

What It Is and Why Does It Matter

Proverbs 11:9b: but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

I have been learning a lot more about spiritual warfare and still learning.  It is a dense topic. Yet, I hope with my next few writings I can convey some basic understanding of what it is. What is spiritual warfare, and why does it matter when it comes to our spiritual and mental health.    

Definition

Spiritual warfare as: a Christian concept that involves fighting against evil forces, interfering in human affairs. It's based on the biblical teachings about demons, evil spirits, and the idea that Satan is an enemy who seeks to destroy those who belong to God

 1 Peter 5:8: Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 

 Spiritual warfare is not something that maybe Christians will go through and contend with.  It is guaranteed that you will go through it. In actuality, everyone does, whether you believe in God or not. However, those who do not believe, are even less likely to realize it.  They may attribute everything to other natural explanations (if there is one) or being a coincidence. Many are sometimes willing participants to their own demise, because of their lack of faith in God.

 Addictions are behaviors we have a natural explanation on why it happens.  Based on studies about the brain, habits, generational patterns and behaviors.  The world with their limited knowledge, would classify this as only a psychological or neurological problem. Which it is.  But it is psychological, neurological and spiritual. 

Addiction takes away our ability to practice the free will God gave us all.  Therefore, this is not of God and comes from the rulers of darkness.  Often, they work to control us so they can have dominion over this earth.  The dominion that God gave to humankind. Unfortunately, we foolishly gave it away in the garden and continue to give it away still to this day. 

Spiritual warfare consists of three things: fighting against the world, the flesh and demonic forces:

 *Some of these definitions are found in the book titled Spiritual Warfare: Christians, demonization and deliverance by Dr. Karl I. Payne

The World – The world is an organized system in rebellion against God.  It contains external pressures and temptation*

 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world, for all that is in the world the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God abide forever.

The Flesh – This is an internal struggle waging war against us*

Galatians 5:16-17: Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.

Romans 8:6-11: To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law indeed, it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, then the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Demonic Forces – Oppression (fiery arrows) and possession (total demonic domination and control). *

I do not believe Christians cannot be fully possessed by demonic forces, but we can be oppressed by them.  I am still debating the former. Believers can be under demonic influence or bondage if we let them in.  Most of the time we do this unaware.  Some believers may know to stay away from Ouija boards, psychics and witchcraft to not allow the devil access.  However, pride, unforgiveness, sexual immorality and fear lets him in just the same.  Ignorance is not bliss.  It is because of a lack of knowledge God say we perish. Hosea 4:6 

And for most of these situations if we pay close enough attention, they all follow a pattern. We lose because we do not study the pattern, then learn to break it.  Sometimes we are aware but then do nothing about it either. Some say it is because they don’t know what to do.  Others may be too comfortable in their dysfunction that it has become their norm.  If believers say I do not know what to do, I may ask them how their prayer life is, how often they read and study the word of God. Our Lord gave us instructions on what to do in His Word, The Holy Bible.  The Bible contrary to what some may tell you, does have the answers to everything in life. The word of God teaches, instructs, heals, has power and is spiritual.

Fighters and competitors study their opponents. They study to try and find their weaknesses and their patterns, so they know what they are coming up against.  Whether we are dealing with the world, internal struggle with our flesh, mental health, or demonic forces, we must know what we are up against.  This should teach you how and when to strike. To strike before it produces the fruit of sin, chaos, depression, anxiety etc., in your life. 

Mental health works the same.  When I work with clients, I like to talk about their childhood and family upbringing.  I want to understand your history to help you find patterns consistently showing up in your life. Unfortunately, many people have a misunderstanding of therapy.  Some expect quick fixes. Others may think it is their therapist’s job to fix them.  Then there are others who just want to cope.  You can do as many deep breathing exercises as you want. If you don’t deal with those horrible patterns and bad habits in your life, nothing will change.

Now of course I have nothing against these grounding techniques.  They have their place and purpose. However, they are not the end all be all. Self-development takes time, work, awareness and the willingness to want to learn and understand who you are.  Your past traumas shape your present and if it is not addressed it will shape your future. With Christ we are new creations. Who are you meant to be? God created everyone with a purpose, on purpose. But unfortunately, not everyone will find it or live it out.   

Everyone has patterns in their lives. Some may be causing havoc. Therapy gives you the space to stop, pause, and think through what is happening.  We can then study it, reveal what needs to be healed, then come up with a strategy to heal.  This then builds resilience and a better present and future.

Like the example I gave with the video game.  Once I studied and understood the patterns of the boss I was fighting, I became more confident that I could beat him. Then defeating him no longer required as much attention and effort anymore, because I already knew what to do.  Once you understand spiritual warfare, the problems will not consume your life. Thinking of demonic forces should not always consume your life as well. If done correctly. 

Jesus dying on the cross did not make sin disappear from the earth. But on the cross Christ defeated sin, death and hell to save us.  Giving us the opportunity to choose him, have eternal life, and be connected back to the Heavenly Father.  The work on the cross gave us power to be victorious over sin, the schemes of the enemy, over our flesh and over the world. As well as breaking the curses that sin puts on our lives. Through Jesus we have the power to break the curse and trample the enemy.

Note:  The only way to defeat the enemy is to first accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. It is through the name, blood and power of Jesus Christ that we are set free.  It is His Name the enemy fears. That is why as believers, we fight from a place of victory, not for it.

Power in Christ: 2 Peter1:3, Acts 1:8, John 14:12 Matthew 6: 9-10 why do we pray for verse 10 Matthew 16:19

 Many believers unfortunately are unaware of this power. Or will read about it in the Bible and not understand what it means and how to execute it.   

Why does this matter

Whether you realize it or not, the evil principalities are always trying to influence you and take control.  For many, these can be the reasons for their hardships. I do not like to blame everything on the devil. Sometimes we are in bad places we are in in our lives because of the bad decisions we make.  But even with that, I would say something was influencing us.  We are always influenced by something.  Either by the kingdom of darkness or the kingdom of Light, by Yahweh or Satan and his minions. However, we have a choice, and this is why we are still held accountable. 

We can see this with many unexplainable issues and sickness. When we are living in poverty, seeing no headway in life, filled with so much sickness, diseases, hardships and troubles.  Why do we choose to fold and think this is just how life will be for us?  How can we believe that the God who created us wants us to live this way?  I don’t believe it. I am no prosperity gospel preacher, but prosperity can mean success in a lot of things.  It means to thrive.  That includes financially, but I think it also includes thriving spiritually, mentally, physically and in all things that we do.  God often told the people of Israel what to do so that they can prosper.  I believe God wants us to thrive but more times than not we settle for less. 

So why does this matter?  To properly worship God, love our neighbors, and thrive in life. To live the way Jesus showed us how and fulfill the final commission Jesus gave us in Matthew 28:19. To do this, I cannot have a limiting mindset.  I cannot play small if I am to be an imitator of Christ.  Some may see this as a burden.  I see it as a privilege and an adventure.