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Introduction

This page introduces the whole subject of spiritual warfare as understood by Christians.

Having said that, any careful observer of the shelves of a Christian bookshop will know that there are many books on many facets of warfare.

On these pages we intend to avoid speculation as far as possible and keep as nearly as possible to what the Bible alone says.

As soon as we mention “Spiritual Warfare” it raises a number of questions. Warfare means fighting and fighting supposes an enemy. Who is the enemy? How does he fight? Spiritual sounds in opposition to “material”, so is there a spiritual dimension to life.

 

1. Materialism

  

Most people in our society today live life as if it consists of only the material world, i.e. that which you can touch, feel and measure, but is that all there is?

Think of the increasing number of groups of people who seem to believe in something more than just material things: Christians, Eastern Religions, spiritists who “call up the spirits”, New Age people who speak of “life forces” and “channelling”, witches, people who believe in horoscopes, transcendental meditation etc.

   

2. A “Spirit” World?

Consider:

•  Many modern films dwell on the “supernatural”.

•  The earliest philosophers considered an alternative to a purely material world.

•  The Greeks and Romans and primitive tribes have always had their “gods”.

•  The world religions have always claimed an alternative.

It seems there is built into man an inner expectation of another dimension where there exists “God”.

The Bible reveals to us a world that is at least two dimensional - material and spiritual.

By way of introduction consider the following example:

2 Kings 6:9-11

•  The man of God was Elisha the prophet

•  To call him a prophet immediately brings in the supernatural

•  A prophet was one who heard from God

•  Elisha warned the king of Israel every time the king of Aram came to invade and plunder their land

•  This clearly upset the king of Aram

2 Kings 6:13-16

•  The king of Aram finds out it is Elisha so goes to get him

•  His forces surround the city and the sight frightens Elisha's servant

•  But Elisha is a prophet and they move in the spiritual dimension as well

2 Kings 6:17

•  As Elisha prayed, the servant saw the whole picture!

•  Not only was there a physical army there, but there was also a heavenly army there who, we see as we read on, were probably used by God to strike the physical army with blindness.

 

3. Other “Spiritual” Realities

Both the Old and New Testaments are full of “spiritual happenings”

Angels appeared around Jesus' birth (Lk 1:11-22, 26-38, 2:8-15)

Jesus ministry was full of supernatural happenings, e.g.

•  Healing sick, raising dead etc. (Mt 11:4,5)

•  Calming a storm (Mt 8:23-27) 

•  Moses & Elijah appearing (Mt 17:1-3)

•  Casting out demons (e.g. Mk 1:23-27)

•  Resisting Satan (Mt 4:1-11) 

Jesus spoke about having come from “heaven” (Jn 6:33,35,38,41,51)

Jesus followers carried on performing miracles, e.g. Acts 8:5-8)

Paul taught about us, as Christians, in reality sharing in life in “the heavenly realms” (Eph 2:6) and also struggling against “powers & principalities” (Eph 6:11,12)

 

4. Conclusions

  

As we approach this subject of Spiritual Warfare we need to come with a mind open to the full teaching of the Scriptures. We may not feel familiar with the subject but that should not put us off.

The Bible opens up the whole spiritual realm to us. In a day when many strange things are taught about “warfare” we should be careful to only go by what the Scriptures clearly teach.

   

These notes, therefore, seek to be fully grounded in the Scriptures. You are encouraged to look up all the references yourself.

  

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