What Is The Source of Spiritual Warfare?

Eph 6:12 “For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” AMP

A. Spiritual Warfare definition:

1. Spiritual-dealing with spirits; dealing with spiritual realms, domains, and with areas of operations of spirits. Sometimes it will require physical prophetic actions.

2. Warfare-ongoing fighting battles, or hostility between 2 parties (can be in the mind, earth surface. Waters or worlds beneath. In the heavenlies -can be sun, moon, or stars).

As Christians we fight our battles from a more physical perspective without overlooking the spiritual perspective of the battle- Person against person, organization vs. organization, denomination vs. denomination. Our responsibility is to fight the devil and not each other and stray from the paths of righteousness and offending God.

Spirits can be in physical and nonphysical forms, this is why they must be properly discerned and understand how, where and when to fight. Most Christians do not believe they exist but they do.

It is important to have awareness of Satanic activity and be sensitive to them; they have become more obvious in our lives, homes, churches, schools, government institutions, and society in general. They & their human agents have become more bold and confrontational.

Satanists and those practicing occultism that used to practice in secret are now gone public and without shame; in western nations, different cult groups are requesting that they be recognized as acceptable religions, and their demands are granted. Witchcraft is being taught in certain some American Universities. Also just as schools and prisons have chaplain, so do certain witch covens and sects.

In order to fight this battle we must: Get into the Spirit. Eph 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”NKJV

a. You have to function in the Spirit- John 3:6-” That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” If there is any doubt that you about your new birth experience, stop now, bow your head in prayer before God and admit your sins and your need for salvation. Renounce those sins and decide not to go down that road again. Ask Jesus to come into your life to be your Lord and Savior. In order to do spiritual warfare it is essential that you be filled with the Holy Spirit.

b. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” Two provinces or nations can begin to fight over the possession of property or supremacy and control over each other. The kingdom of God led by Jesus Christ Himself is set to destroy the works of the kingdom of darkness. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8). In this battle, the purpose is to ensure that the kingdom of God is established on earth as it is in heaven through us 1st and foremost.

3. Spiritual Mapping in Spiritual Warfare-Spiritual mapping is the act of studying and surveying the life of an individual, family, organization, institution or location with the goal of determining their spiritual history and geography.

First: close and careful observation to discover their spiritual position.

Second: Read past and present records on a person, people or locality

(Daniel 9:2-4, Job 8:8-10)

Third: Prayerfully seek revelations from the Lord. A close look at Ezekiel 8; 5-16 gives a closer look at what this entails.

4. Why do we carry out spiritual warfare?

a. God’s greatest desire is that His kingdom will be established on earth as it is in heaven. (Luke 11:2)

b. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (Jn 10:10)

c. “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (Gal 5:19-21)

d. “But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.”

13 Make allowance for each other’ s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Col 3:8-9 & 13-14

e. Isaiah 49:25

f. 2 Cor 4:4

g. to set at liberty them that are bruised.

h. to heal the broken- hearted

i. Col. 2:14-15-to make a public show of the powers of darkness

j. 1 Timothy 6:12-to maintain our victory in Christ Jesus

k. to possess our possession

5. Strategy in Warfare- this has to do with schemes, tactics, plots, war plans and tricks to fool or gain a foothold over the enemy.