Spiritual warfare - What does the Bible say?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Spiritual warfare is the idea that humans battle in some way with supernatural powers. We should neither overemphasize spiritual warfare by seeing every occurrence in life as part of it nor underemphasize it by ignoring the spiritual realm altogether. The Bible presents spiritual warfare as a profound reality involving both divine and demonic forces. Satan is real, and we must recognize that there is a spiritual battle going on in our physical reality. Despite the real threat of spiritual opposition, Christians are assured of their ultimate victory through Christ’s triumph over evil forces.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Spiritual warfare is seen during Job's trials (Job 1—2). Satan challenges God, accusing Job of being faithful only because of his blessings. God permits Satan to test Job, leading to a spiritual struggle between Job's faith and the attacks on his life, although Job does not know this is happening.
• In Daniel 10:12–14, an angel reveals that the answer to Daniel’s prayer was delayed due to a spiritual conflict with the "prince of the kingdom of Persia," a demonic force.
• Israel was warned against idolatry many times, and it is implied that demonic influences are behind the worship of false gods, leading the people away from God (Deuteronomy 32:16–17).
• Spiritual warfare is also seen in 2 Kings 6:15–17 where the prophet Elisha prays for God to open the eyes of his servant so he can see the spiritual battle around them. The servant's eyes are opened, and he sees the mountains full of horses and chariots of fire, symbolizing God's angelic army protecting them. This reveals the unseen spiritual forces at work, even when they are not immediately visible to human eyes.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The Bible is very clear on the existence of spiritual warfare. In Ephesians 6:10–18, Paul notes that believers battle against the Devil's schemes and that this is a spiritual battle, not a physical one. The warfare in which we are engaged is "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). Clearly, such powers exist.
• Our adversary or enemy, the Devil, refers to Satan, who is a real entity, not a mythical creature or invention. Other titles of Satan include the tempter (1 Thessalonians 3:5), the evil one (Matthew 13:19, 38), and the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).
• Spiritual warfare comes from Satan’s authority in this world, and his titles indicate this: the ruler of this world (John 12:31), the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), and the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
• Satan transforms himself into "an angel of light" and seeks to deceive (2 Corinthians 11:14).
• We are to be fully aware of Satan's evil plans (2 Corinthians 2:11).
• Peter warns "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
• Knowing that there is a spiritual battle against us, Christians must remember we are already conquerors (Romans 8:37) and that Satan has already been defeated (Colossians 2:15; 1 Peter 3:22). Also, the power of Christ within the believer is greater than the power of Satan (1 John 4:4). We have no reason to live in fear of Satan or evil spirits as believers. Satan can harm, but he cannot defeat the believer in Christ.
• Satan can be allowed to attack believers (2 Corinthians 12:7–9; James 1:2–4), yet his attacks are limited and ultimately are used for good (Romans 8:28) and fulfill God's perfect plan for His people.
• Satan's primary strategy is to blind people to God's salvation (2 Corinthians 4:3–4).
• We cannot blame every temptation on Satan, since the Bible also teaches that we are tempted and enticed by our own evil desires (James 1:13–15).
• We defeat Satan by resisting him and staying near to God. James 4:7–8 instructs, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." A close walk with God is the best protection against Satan's activities.
• We arm ourselves for the spiritual battle that is part of the Christian life by putting on the "whole armor of God, that [we] may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). This armor includes truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. These weapons will enable us to "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might" (Ephesians 6:10–18).
• As a final warning, it is important that we do not take our God-given power over Satan as an opportunity to display arrogance. In Acts 19:13–16, we find the account of itinerant Jewish exorcists who attempted to use God's power to overcome evil for their own benefit and received a harsh punishment for doing so. We need to depend on a humble and personal walk with Christ to overcome evil.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Ultimately, spiritual warfare is less about employing specific techniques to defeat Satan and more about cultivating a heart that is deeply connected to God. When we prioritize our relationship with God, His presence in our lives significantly diminishes Satan’s influence. This close walk with God strengthens our spiritual resilience and protects us from the enemy’s attempts to weaken our faith and disrupt our pursuit of Christ. Thus, the most effective defense against spiritual opposition is a heart wholly devoted to God, rather than relying on ritualistic practices or personal strategies.

Spiritual warfare is a genuine aspect of the Christian experience, but it should not lead us into fear or pride. Instead, the acknowledgment of Satan and his evil forces should encourage us to draw nearer to God, recognizing that His power is greater than any adversary we might encounter. Embracing this reality prompts us to depend more fully on God’s strength, rather than our own, ensuring that we remain humble and grounded in faith. By relying on God's supreme authority, we can face spiritual challenges with confidence, knowing that His power can conquer any foe.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible acknowledges a genuine spiritual battle involving divine and demonic forces.
• Satan, as the Devil, opposes God but is ultimately defeated by Christ.
• Believers are equipped with spiritual armor and God’s strength to withstand Satan’s attacks; a close relationship with God is the key to overcoming in any spiritual battle.

REFLECT

• How does the awareness of spiritual warfare impact your daily relationship with God?
• How have you experienced or recognized spiritual attacks in your life? How has your faith helped you navigate these challenges?
• How can you better equip yourself with the "armor of God" in your everyday life to resist the influence of Satan and stay focused on your walk with God?

ENGAGE

• How does recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare change the way we approach daily spiritual challenges and maintain our faith?
• What can we learn from Job’s experience in Job 1—2 about how to maintain faith and integrity during times of intense spiritual struggle or adversity even when we don’t understand what is happening?
• How can the imagery of spiritual forces in 2 Kings 6:15–17, where Elisha's servant sees the protective angelic army, influence our understanding of God's protection and the unseen spiritual dynamics in our lives?