Spiritual Warfare

[MCoving]

Hi! So I was curious what is the truth about spiritual warfare?? I've been taught so many different things over my life. Some religions put a lot of emphasis on this like people being possessed my demons. Others dont put any thought into this. yet we have Scriptures that talk about resisting the Devil, and putting on the armor of God. So what does that all really mean in our life besides just "words".

Does the Devil tempt us and torment us believers? Are their demons out there waging war against our spirit? Is there some spiritual battle that we fight daily against our sinful nature..and the devil, like the Holy Spirit is fighting for us.. There's also a verse about distinguishing the arrows of the evil one too.

So I am just curious how people view spiritual warfare. Make sense?

Mary

[Brandan Kraft]

There is a spiritual battle that surrounds us constantly. Demonic possessions - etc...

[Calvinator]

The Devil and his cohorts are doing exactly what they were created to do. Does anyone know how much insight does the devil on this fact?

The main focus of Bob Larson and his ministry is on spiritual warfare and casting out demons, yet this protestant man can not discern the heresy of Roman Catholicism. I saw a program he did were he went to the Vatican and had a meeting with a priest or a Cardinal who does exorcisms for the Catholic Church. Bob believed that they both were doing the work of Christ.

I believe the fist defense against the Devil is discernment and Biblical Doctrine!

[marcuslid]

The Devil and his cohorts are doing exactly what they were created to do. Does anyone know how much insight does the devil on this fact?

no, no one has sent me a sitrep on the situation

I believe the fist defense against the Devil is discernment and Biblical Doctrine!

Very true; that was his 1st attack was with what God said
Genesis 3:1

[Robert R. Higby]

Bob Larson, a man I once had lunch with (about 1975-76, when he was married, I believe, to his first wife)! I confronted him with his subjective and shaky views of justification by faith and assurance of salvation; he defended them by stating that any 'positive' spiritual experience 'giving the glory to God' was not subjective but objective!

[marcuslid]

Bob Larson, a man I once had lunch with (about 1975-76, when he was married, I believe, to his first wife)! I confronted him with his subjective and shaky views of justification by faith and assurance of salvation; he defended them by stating that any 'positive' spiritual experience 'giving the glory to God' was not subjective but objective!

What does he mean by that?

[Robert R. Higby]

I think he meant that a "joyful experience of god (?)" is the measure of what is to be affirmed as good and truth, i.e., anything that produces a negative and despondent experience is to be avoided.

[Ugly_Gaunt_Cow]

2 Kings 6:10-17, (NASB)

"... The king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God had told him; thus he warned him, so that he guarded himself there, more than once or twice. Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?" One of his servants said, "No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom." So he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him." And it was told him, saying, "Behold, he is in Dothan." He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the Lord opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

[MCoving]

2 Kings 6:10-17, (NASB)

"... The king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God had told him; thus he warned him, so that he guarded himself there, more than once or twice. Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?" One of his servants said, "No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom." So he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him." And it was told him, saying, "Behold, he is in Dothan." He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the Lord opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

Cool Scripture Scott. You always know where to find things in Gods Word to relate to questions and life. I think its interesting how the mountains were full of horses and chariots of fire, yet not seen. So is that what its like with spiritual warfare? Theres a battle going on that we do not see? Yet we have the Lord's strength, his angels and such to protect us from all the evil?

Thanks everyone for your replies! I think the biggest thing is just remember how much the Word of God is our sword. It combats everything in life we face.. like Scott shows it gives us answers for everything. Its more powerful than a double edged sword. thinking upon those things can be of great comfort and kinda perplexing too.

Mary

[Robert R. Higby]

One of the issues with the matter of spiritual warfare is the extent to which the believer is actively involved. From the scripture above, it would appear that God fights our battles for us and we are passive.

Scripture contains a lot of exhortation to action on our part (1 Thess. 4:1-12 as one of scores of examples) but also a lot of assurance that it is God who does all the work in us (Phil. 2:13, Eph. 2:10). So in actively following the commands of the New Testament we are only living out the work that God has determined to perform in us.

Our focus is not to be on conformity to a law-code as the false 'sanctification' doctrine of the third use of law adminishes us to do. Instead, it is to be on saturating our minds with gospel truth and resultant assurance that is annexed to belief in it, meditation upon Christ and all that He is to us, a continuous attitude of prayer and dependence on the Lord for all aspects of life, earnest study of God's revelation and all that He has told us there, and the result will be right thinking, feelings, and actions!

[MCoving]

One of the issues with the matter of spiritual warfare is the extent to which the believer is actively involved. From the scripture above, it would appear that God fights our battles for us and we are passive.

Scripture contains a lot of exhortation to action on our part (1 Thess. 4:1-12 as one of scores of examples) but also a lot of assurance that it is God who does all the work in us (Phil. 2:13, Eph. 2:10). So in actively following the commands of the New Testament we are only living out the work that God has determined to perform in us.

Our focus is not to be on conformity to a law-code as the false 'sanctification' doctrine of the third use of law adminishes us to do. Instead, it is to be on saturating our minds with gospel truth and resultant assurance that is annexed to belief in it, meditation upon Christ and all that He is to us, a continuous attitude of prayer and dependence on the Lord for all aspects of life, earnest study of God's revelation and all that He has told us there, and the result will be right thinking, feelings, and actions!

Hmm very well said. Knowing that God performs in us, that we are living out the work of our God. And yet at the same time we must make effort to do things though. Like reading Gods Word, meditating upon it, living it out in our life. Cant just sit on our bottoms and do nothing. Yet we have the reassurance that it is Christ making us move, and growing us, enabling us to perform His works. And we can be assured that He will provide all things we need, He will provide strength and comfort, etc. I think too often with myself, maybe others experience this, I dont concentrate enough on Christ in me, His strength and His ability to enable His children to do good, and to be a servant. I dont realize the potential within me, feeling like I am limited yet I am not! We have the power and ability in us because of Christ. I can use that to know Him more, to serve others, to do good, etc. Yet as you said its not progressive sanctification, or the church telling me to do good, but its out of Christ in me, His Word and a love for Him that we obey. And as believers I think God teaches us all different things, course the same as well, but we are all at different points in our life.. learning and growing...

And I think maybe this could be false ideas from before.. but the more one seems to serve the Lord and act to become closer to Him and more knowledgeable.. the harder it gets, the more spiritual warfare there seems to be. It is an easier rode to sit on ones bottom, not try to follow Christ and just be.. allowing the world to creep in. But that is not okay.. its like giving up and not fighting. That would be a very bad idea if one was in the army! You cant just sit down and give up, you'd die. So just like believer we have to keep fighting, keep at it.. if we fall get back up again.. if we are injured, get healed and continue on the way. Not be scared of anything because the Lord is on our side. Its a path a journey one was complete and go down in this life.. but we will be greatly rewarded. there is a reason we are here on earth living, and not just in Heaven with our Lord. So I think its amazing that we have pnet and friends so that in our journey we dont have to be alone.. but if we are, we know there is always Christ. I kinda like footsteps in the sand poem.. its really cool.

I hope I made some sense... you all take care now and God bless!

[The Hawker]

Hmm very well said. Knowing that God performs in us, that we are living out the work of our God. And yet at the same time we must make effort to do things though. Like reading Gods Word, meditating upon it, living it out in our life. Cant just sit on our bottoms and do nothing.

You are very right Mary! It is out of God loving us first that we love Him. I loved that verse you quoted in another thread. Philippians 1:11. It truly blessed my heart!

Yet we have the reassurance that it is Christ making us move, and growing us, enabling us to perform His works. And we can be assured that He will provide all things we need, He will provide strength and comfort, etc. I think too often with myself, maybe others experience this, I dont concentrate enough on Christ in me, His strength and His ability to enable His children to do good, and to be a servant.

This why we need to constantly read the Word of God and pray. If you are anything like me, my memory is so short, and I forget things. Before you know where you are, you can be walking in the flesh again. The great apostle Paul had the same struggle, and God used him mightily. Consider Romans 7:14-25.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.


This passage REALLY encourages us all in our daily battles. It enables us to be placing our trust more and more in Christ for His strength and power!!

I dont realize the potential within me, feeling like I am limited yet I am not! We have the power and ability in us because of Christ.

Yes it is us that limits ourselves. Christ in us, the hope of glory! Colossians 1:27. How we need to tell ourselves that verse. If we know the power of this Word, it will change our lives, from defeat to victory!!

I can use that to know Him more, to serve others, to do good, etc. Yet as you said its not progressive sanctification, or the church telling me to do good, but its out of Christ in me, His Word and a love for Him that we obey.

This is key! Hallelujah!! God deliver us from statements that would disagree with the last quote!!

And as believers I think God teaches us all different things, course the same as well, but we are all at different points in our life.. learning and growing...

True!

And I think maybe this could be false ideas from before.. but the more one seems to serve the Lord and act to become closer to Him and more knowledgeable.. the harder it gets, the more spiritual warfare there seems to be.

This is true because we have a very ferocious enemy who opposes the work of God, but again, God has Satan on a very tight leash!

It is an easier rode to sit on ones bottom, not try to follow Christ and just be.. allowing the world to creep in. But that is not okay.. its like giving up and not fighting. That would be a very bad idea if one was in the army! You cant just sit down and give up, you'd die. So just like believer we have to keep fighting, keep at it.. if we fall get back up again.. if we are injured, get healed and continue on the way. Not be scared of anything because the Lord is on our side.

It is a miserable existence when one does not fight. God is alongside us in the battle, who gives us the weopons of our warfare, which are not carnal to the pulling down of strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4.

Its a path a journey one was complete and go down in this life.. but we will be greatly rewarded. there is a reason we are here on earth living, and not just in Heaven with our Lord.

Yes we fight the good fight of faith, by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT, ALWAYS! We win!

So I think its amazing that we have pnet and friends so that in our journey we dont have to be alone.. but if we are, we know there is always Christ. I kinda like footsteps in the sand poem.. its really cool.

Christ is always with us. He will never leave us or forsake us! Hebrews 13:5-6.

I hope I made some sense... you all take care now and God bless!

The Lords' Blessings,

Kevin.

[Toplady]

I loved reading all your thoughts on this topic, and the funny thing is driving home from work last night (it's after midnight now) I was listening to "Dr Laura" and although she is no theologian ...far from it, lol... she gave some advice that comes close to what is being said here.

Someone asked how she could speak up and say what she's afraid to speak up and say, and Dr Laura told her to "just do it" to which the caller responded with another question of whether there are some steps or some tips as to how to begin... we seem to need "how to" books to do anything anymore, ... Dr Laura said the more you do it the stronger you get, and to not let the fear of rejection, hostility, being kicked off messageboards (I threw the last one in for good measure, lol ) keep you from speaking up when necessary...

There's alot of truth in that, the difference is, Dr Laura credits self for the ability....but as a true Christian, we have the power from God Himself(although we often neglect it) but our lack of faith sometimes impedes us from stepping out of our comfort zones in faith.

[Toplady]

I should correct that last sentence....as elect we do not "lack faith"....we may have "little faith" but that's not the same thing. Sometimes (often?) we do not use what we have...and there are parables about that, I believe? Perhaps the hiding of the talent, burying it in the ground?