Spiritual warfare is a reality that many believers encounter in their walk with God. It involves invisible battles against demonic forces that try to hinder our relationship with Christ. Understanding the different types of spiritual warfare is key to being victorious in these battles.
We will also give practical tips on how to overcome through spiritual disciplines and the full armor of God.
Defining Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare refers to the ongoing, invisible struggle between forces of good and evil for human souls. It is a real battle between God and His holy angels and demons under the authority of Satan. The Bible indicates that all humans face attacks from the demonic realm.
Spiritual warfare happens in various realms and dimensions not visible to the natural eye. Demons inhabit the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). They launch attacks against Christians mentally, emotionally, and physically to prevent obedience to God.
The purpose of demonic spirits is to rob, kill, and destroy human lives (John 10:10). Their motives include causing spiritual blindness, depression, addiction, division, deception, sickness, and more. But Christ came to give abundant life and destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
Origins of Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare originated from Satan’s rebellion against God. Satan, formerly known as Lucifer, was once a high-ranking cherub angel. He rebelled against God due to pride and wanted to be worshipped like God (Isaiah 14:12-15). One-third of the angels joined him in rebellion and became demons.
The battle intensified once humans were created. Satan tempted Eve in the garden to distrust God’s character and word (Genesis 3:1-5). Deception and temptation have been key strategies of the devil against mankind ever since. Students of Scripture must avoid ignorance of Satan’s schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Three Main Types of Spiritual Warfare
There are three primary types of battles that make up the spiritual war Christians encounter:
1. Internal Spiritual Warfare
Internal warfare involves fighting the “flesh.” The flesh represents our sinful desires, thoughts, and tendencies that go against God’s will (Galatians 5:17). Examples include pride, lust, anger, jealousy, and greed. These attitudes originate from our carnal nature.
Major internal battles also include wrestling with doubt, unbelief, guilt, condemnation, and deception. The enemy uses these to separate us from God’s love and trust in His promises. Claiming our identity and authority in Christ is key to winning these battles.
2. Occult Spiritual Warfare
The occult refers to objects, rituals, texts, and paranormal activities dealing with demonic power and hidden spiritual knowledge. Examples are witchcraft, divination, fortune-telling, astrology, magic, Ouija boards, and secret societies.
God forbids these practices because they give demons a legal right to influence people (Deuteronomy 18:9-13). Occult items and activities provide an open door for demonic bonds and strongholds in someone’s life. Deliverance and removing occult connections are vital steps of inner healing.
3. Demonic Spiritual Warfare
This refers to direct confrontations with demonic spirits. Demons cause oppression through attacks on the mind, body, and emotions. Their goal is to wear people down and lead them into sin, false doctrine, and degradation.
Demonic possession is the most extreme type of attack, where demons inhabit and completely control a person’s body. However, no Christian can be fully possessed since the Holy Spirit resides within them (1 John 4:4).
Our authority as believers includes casting out demons in Jesus’ name (Mark 16:17). We must also put on the full armor of God to withstand their cunning attacks (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Overcoming Spiritual Warfare
No matter what kind of spiritual battle we face, total victory is found only in the finished work of Jesus Christ. But there are practical ways to overcome the enemy’s attacks and walk in freedom.
1. Put on the Full Armor of God
Ephesians 6 outlines the armor God gives us for protection and victory. This includes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of gospel peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit.
Truth, righteousness, faith in the gospel, salvation, and God’s word are indispensable defenses against demonic attacks. We must know and internalize these spiritual weapons.
2. Utilize Spiritual Disciplines
Prayer, worship, fasting, meditating on Scripture, and Christian fellowship all strengthen our spirit man. This equips us to discern the enemy’s tactics and resist his lies. Perseverance and self-control also enable us to overcome temptations.
3. Take Authority in Jesus’ Name
Demons must submit to Christians who directly command them in Jesus’ name to depart. Simply saying “I rebuke you, Satan, in Jesus’ name” causes demons to flee (James 4:7). Our authority comes from being children of God.
4. Receive Inner Healing
Wounds, trauma, and negative experiences often give demons legal access into our lives. Receiving prayer for emotional and spiritual healing is important. Forgiving those who wounded us also cancels demons’ assignment.
Strongholds refer to bondages, addictions, and obsessions that demons use to control people. Getting delivered through spiritual warfare prayers breaks these chains over our lives. Counseling should follow to prevent demonic reentry.
Standing firm, resisting the devil, and drawing near to God causes him to flee (James 4:7-8). With Christ’s power at work within us, we can walk in the victory He purchased on the cross over all evil.