Waging Spiritual Warfare

(Part 1)

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Before we look into our opening verse we need to first set understand that we are engaged in a battle. The stakes are high and the outcome is eternal so we can not victoriously engage in this battle without proper understanding. The bible reveals all that we need to know to live and overcoming life in Christ.

This is a two part study, though it is not brief it is still only a small part of a deeper revelation into the elements of spiritual warfare and how to engage and overcome by the power of God. So lets pray that the Lord would give us a greater understanding in what we are about to study.

The battle that is raging within those who rank within the Kingdom of God is not one that is fought within the realm of the physical, though there are often times in which our trials come buy way of some level of human engagement. But the Bible makes it quite clear that even when the physical seems to be the source of the struggle, that it still has a spiritual element in the equation. Regardless of what we may think, both the true believer as well as the unbeliever will yield themselves to a spiritual authority, and there are only two that are seeking and calling out for people who will pledge their allegiance.

1.      God who is the Almighty and Sovereign One to whom all must one day bow.

2.      Satan, the once most noble one among the Cherub.

a.      Ultimately the struggle is between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan. The Kingdom of Light against the kingdom of darkness. The Kingdom of righteousness against the kingdom of unrighteousness.

b.      These kingdoms do exist and all of mankind will be a part of one or the other.

c.      Though Satan has no power or authority except what he is allowed (for there is no power or authority greater then that of the Lord God Almighty), he still has greater power then any human being.

d.      And by his greatest tool, deception, he brings the majority of humanity under the power of his rebellious authority. A rebellion against God and those of His Kingdom. Here lies the root of this warfare. Rebellion and bitter hatred against the One he once loved and served.

3.      Exposing the truth about Satan: In 2 Corinthians Satan is called “the god of this world”. In Ephesians “the prince of the power of the air.” In Revelations 20 “the Devil, Satan, the one who deceive nations.”

                                    I.      Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

                                 II.      2Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

                              III.      Revelations 20:2-3 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

These are just a few scriptures revealing the truth. These and other Biblical text not only identity him, but also reveal his character, ability and his ultimate goal. But if any one still doubts the demonic influence, power and authority that this fallen angel has among those in the earth, consider what he was able to accomplish in heaven.

Revelations 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

1.      To where was he cast down?

2.      Who was cast out with him?

3.      Note: These angels that where cast out of heaven were called “his angels”.

·        Another text that supports this is found in the Gospel of Matthew, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41

4.      When did they become His? Did not God create all the angels? Did they not stand before the Lord of heaven and earth? Did they not all once serve Him in some capacity? Did they not witness His awesome power displayed in Creation? Did they not view His Glory, His Majesty, His Holiness?  

5.      How could they now be called “his” (Satan’s) angels?

·        Revelations 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

·        Note: Verse 7 “…Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels…”

·        Why would they want to defect? This is mind boggling! And it makes little to no sense to the natural mind. It can’t and won’t! But it did happen and still happens today with many who have professed the Lord as Savior. They once served Him but have allowed the devil to capture their heart, mind and will!

·        Satan’s pride and deceptive power managed to lure 1/3 of the angelic host in his rebellion against God.

·        These are not mere powerless men. These were created beings awesome beings, who, were created by God and for God to do His will.

·        There was no apparent sin in heaven, nothing to be temped with. They had no need for anything, yet they fell!

·        What Satan allowed to grip His heart and mind, his very nature is what infected these who are now called His.

·        We can say this with confidence that he did not wrestle them into submission, verses 7 thru 9 of Revelations 12 would support this truth. I believe he simply planted an evil seed into their thoughts, their very being, and what they saw in him caused them to take their eyes from viewing the Glory of God, is what brought them to their doom. (We will dig deeper into this thought in part 2 of this study).

Why has all this been said? It’s very simple, if the devil could deceive those who once lived in the presence of the Lord, those who served in the Heavenly courts, what makes people think that he can’t do the same to them.

You see, the battle that is going on in the spiritual realm is for the souls of men and women.  But it is mostly fought on the battlefield of the mind. Not only, but mostly. Your outcome will depend completely on the choices you make. And the choice is yours!

·        Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

With this in mind let’s go back to our opening text in which we will be dealing with those who have chosen to “yield themselves as servants of righteousness”.