Warfare is as old as humanity. The clash started in Genesis when Satan introduced deception to bring about mankind’s rebellion against God. Soon after, Cain killed Abel out of jealousy and spite. Since then, there have been two lines of people, the elect and the reprobate.

In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. 7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;  Romans 11:5–7 (NASB95)

Down through the ages, those descended from the enemy have persecuted the chosen of God.

And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.  Galatians 4:28–29 (NASB95)

The Bible teaches us that pride and covetousness are the roots of all strife. (Proverbs 13:10 and James 4:2) Satan was not content to be a highly privileged and honored created being. He wanted to displace God on his throne.

How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.  Isaiah 14:12–15 (NKJV)

This passage ostensibly refers to the King of Babylon, but it apparently goes beyond that to speak of the “shining one,” Lucifer. This is one of those cases, as happens in prophecy, when there is more than one meaning – the obvious and narrower one and the more hidden one. In this passage, if we accept it as a reference to Satan, we learn several things.

• He fell from heaven. (Luke 10:18)
• He was a shining one, meaning an angel. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
• He tried to move beyond his appointed position and take the throne of God, which is located above the firmament, in which are located the stars, according to Genesis 1:16-17. Coveting a position above what God has given us is a common source of rebellion. E.g. Korah in Numbers 16.
• The throne of God is located “on the farthest sides of the north…above the heights of the clouds.” This fits with its being located above the firmament, as described in Isaiah 40:22.
• God judged Satan and will eventually assign him a place in the “lowest depths of the pit,” which perhaps will be the lake of fire. Currently he is still engaged in resisting God and trying to steal his glory and people.

Satan’s ongoing rebellion is the origin and context of all spiritual warfare.

We should keep that in mind whenever we discuss the topic or find ourselves embroiled by it.

Rebellion is contagious, and a third of the angels were swept away in the deception. The following passage is accepted by many scholars to refer to Satan’s fall.

Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. 4 And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.  Revelation 12:3–4 (NASB95) 

Stars are somewhat mysterious. At times they seem to represent living beings, as in the passage above. At other times, they seem to be simple luminaries. Jesus is also called the Morning Star. Perhaps the Lord will give us more understanding before he comes again. In his letter, Jude wrote about angels who rebelled.

And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment.  Jude 6 (NLT) 

Because rebellion is based in pride and a deception originating from the “father of lies,” it appeals to our sinful pride and covetousness.

Jesus is the opposite of Satan. Instead of trying to usurp God’s throne, Jesus emptied himself of all privilege and position to assume the role of a humble servant.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Philippians 2:5–8 (NASB95)

When Jesus died for our sins on the cross, he defeated Satan and took back the authority Adam ceded to Satan through his sinful disobedience and rebellion against God. Now all authority in heaven and earth belongs to our Lord. (Matthew 28:18)

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.  Colossians 2:13–15 (NLT) 

When Roman generals defeated an army, they would lead the survivors into Rome in a parade or procession to be shamed and eventually executed. This is what our Lord did to Satan and his minions.

One of the ways we can engage in a very high form of spiritual warfare is to submit our will to the Lord Jesus. This is the essence of what it means to be saved. We believe in the efficacy of what Christ accomplished on our behalf, and we confess that he is Lord.

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”  Romans 10:9–11 (NLT) 

In this case, faith might better be called allegiance. Satan was disloyal to God. Jesus was completely true, all the way to death. When we declare allegiance to Jesus, we join him in engaging in the reclamation of mankind under the proper rule of God.

However, God did not remove Satan from the earth. He left him here so that God’s people could be tested and learn the art of spiritual warfare.

These are the nations that the Lord left in the land to test those Israelites who had not experienced the wars of Canaan. 2 He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle.  Judges 3:1–2 (NLT) 

God uses our struggles against spiritual wickedness to help us grow into mature overcomers to prepare us for sharing in Christ’s glorious eternal rule.

For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.  Romans 8:16–17 (NLT) 

As children of God, we are destined for the throne as co-rulers with Christ.

It is only fitting that God prepares us for such an exalted position by allowing us to overcome spiritual wickedness by faith in Christ’s authority and victory during our time here on earth.

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.  1 John 5:4–5 (NLT)

The stakes are extremely high – our spiritual reward. Our enemy is implacable and unrelenting. There is no escape from this battle. We either surrender or overcome.

Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.  Luke 14:31–33 (NLT)

If we surrender to the enemy of our souls, we give away incalculable reward in heaven. Conversely, we can participate in the cosmic struggle at the potential cost of losing all that we have here on earth in exchange for all we will gain from our Lord in heaven.

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.  Matthew 19:29 (NASB95)

Many Christians wish to avoid any sort of direct confrontation with the enemy of our souls. The only way we can do this is by compromising our testimony through sin or by holding back from sharing the truth of the gospel.

If we persist in maintaining our testimony before the world and share the truth in love, it is guaranteed that we shall encounter resistance from the enemy.

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  2 Timothy 3:12 (NLT)

Persecution is a form of spiritual warfare through intimidation.

The enemy seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. He begins quite often by mockery. If this does not work, he will likely step things up to false accusations and intimidation through threatened or actual force. The last step is usually persecution that involves suffering and even death, if we persist in holding on to our convictions and testimony. Before Saul’s conversion, this is what he did to the church.

Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. 11 Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.  Acts 26:10–11 (NLT)

However, if we endure, we will overcome.

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.  Revelation 12:11 (NLT)

When we first decide to become a disciple, it is important for us to count the cost.

Jesus made it clear that following him is costly. The Holy Spirit will give us the strength to continue when the going gets tough, if we decide up front to trust him to do that. He will give us the words to say when they are needed.

When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. 20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  Matthew 10:19–20 (NLT)

God will strengthen us so that we can endure. None of us are expected to stand by our own strength. It is the power of the Lord that enables us to overcome.

‘Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you.’  Deuteronomy 3:22 (NASB95)

Jesus has already won the war, and God works with us as we confront the enemy as part of God’s mopping up operation in which Christ’s victory is enforced and his kingdom extended. He teaches us to war (Psalm 144:1) and enables us to overcome in the power of his might.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Ephesians 6:10 (NASB95)

In the following chapters, we will reference some concepts we already covered and look at some specific principles of warfare that will help us to bring glory to God and joy to us.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion

• Have you ever experienced spiritual warfare?