Spiritual Warfare (from Tom's email)

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

THE DEADLIEST WAR OF ALL

The history of mankind is exemplified by a series of endless wars and conflicts between nations, within the boundaries of a nation, and between individuals. No nation in history has been immune to at least one involvement in war. Psychologists estimate that individuals will engage in a minimum of eight personal conflicts before they enter adulthood.  The world and its inhabitants have been at war, are involved in war, and will always encounter some form of conflict. This is true for nations as well as for individuals.

To understand this historical fact, it is necessary to trace back to the core element why the world is in constant conflict and will always be so despite the efforts of ambassadors and organizations whose purpose is to prevent wars and to create peaceful co-existence. The core basis for all wars comes under the umbrella of spiritual warfare, the deadliest war of all.

Spiritual warfare is the result of the current war between satan and the Sovereign Godhead. This war began before the creation of the earth and of man. Nobody knows exactly when the war began but the Bible states that the angel known as Lucifer, a created being of the Godhead, at some point wanted to be a god. He refused to accept the fact there is only one true God and he revolted with the result of being cast out of heaven and eternal relationship with the Sovereign Godhead. Biblical scholars are in agreement that the angel Lucifer also influenced other angels and they all are forever banished from the heavenlies and condemned by the Sovereign Godhead. They will never be reunited in eternal relationship with their Sovereign Creator.

Now the question arises, what did this created angel of God do that resulted in such severe repercussion by the Sovereign Creator of all the heavens and the earth and all that is in it? The answer is pride, arrogance, and the desire for control are the factors for what is referred to as the Great Fall and the beginning of the Great War that will last until Christ Jesus returns as stated in the Bible Book of Revelation.

What began in the heavens is the basis for all wars that have taken place throughout history and for all wars that will continue until Christ’s coming. All wars on earth resemble this spiritual, heavenly war. This spiritual war having earth s its battlefield includes soldiers for each side as well as numerous casualties. Spiritual warfare for the purposes of this narrative will be centered on definition, Biblical examples, preparation for, and how to combat this deadliest of all wars.

DEFINITION: Spiritual warfare is the system of tactics utilized by the devil to prevent God from carrying out His will, plan, and purpose for his special creation, mankind. The purpose of spiritual warfare is to also keep mankind from having what the devil never will enjoy; eternal life and relationship with the Sovereign Godhead.

Let’s break down this definition for better understanding. First is the word system: “A set of interrelated ideas and principles that form a method of carrying out or maintaining a stated purpose.”

Now let’s look at the word tactics: “The technique of securing the objectives designated by strategy, especially the method of deploying and directing troops in coordinated maneuvers against a stated enemy.”

Tactics is commonly referred to military operations but also is incorporated by businesses, organizations, religions, governments, and individuals. These two definitions fit within the scope of our understanding spiritual warfare. In spiritual warfare there is one leader for each combatant side. The commander designs the technique and the deployment of the troops. The tactics used by the troops are funneled to them through a series of sub-commanders. It is the duty of the troops to carry out the tactics in battle to achieve the desired purpose and goal.

In the case of the evil commander, satan, the tactics are designed to rob, kill, and destroy any and all relationship any human being may have or has with God. As in any war, by attacking all human beings, satan is attacking God for the purpose of satan’s becoming God.

The righteous commander, The Sovereign Godhead, also has a stated objective and tactics to achieve His will, plan and purpose. Sovereign God’s army includes those soldiers who have been selected to be His ministers to overcome the tactics employed by the devil. Opposite of robbing, killing, and destroying; Sovereign God desires to redeem, renew, give abundant life, and have eternal relationship with His special creation, mankind. God's will was the same at the time of The Great Fall as it is today and will be tomorrow. This was His intent when He created Adam and Eve, and why He gave His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus, as a sacrifice to open the door for redemption, renewal, and abundant eternal life.

THE DEVIL’S SYSTEM & TACTICS:  The devil has a strategy, plan of action, in the deadliest war that consists of the flesh, the world, and personal harassment. The flesh consists of one’s five senses plus the various emotions and feelings that combine to influence our thoughts and subsequent decision making. The world is the culture in which one lives and includes the rituals, laws, traditions, and mores deemed necessary for acceptance and continued membership. Personal harassment includes those elements that trigger our reactions and responses to stimuli that will impede, destroy, and kill our effectiveness in a variety of endeavors. This harassment is initiated by the devil and carried out by his demons that have chosen to align with him in carrying out his evil purpose.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: In Genesis 2:9b the Word of God states; “…and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” This phrase tells us that evil existed when the devil was cast from heaven and before God created Adam and Eve. No human knows how long before God created man and woman that the devil was cast from heaven. Also of particular note is that no mention in the Book of Genesis is made of the devil until God created man and woman. In Genesis 2:15-16 God gave Adam the commandment to take care of the garden and not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This passage clearly indicates the existence of both good and evil and reflects the spiritual war, the deadliest war was already happening. In Genesis 3 we are informed the devil initiated spiritual warfare against man and woman by tempting Eve. As the saying goes; “And the rest is history.”  Genesis 1: 26-27 tells us the devil hates God and all His creation and in Genesis 1: 28-31 the devil’s stated purpose is to rob mankind of God’s blessing.

How is it then that the devil could and continues to go against God and His special creation and involve mankind in this spiritual war that has deadly consequences? After all God proved His sovereignty by casting the devil and all his followers from heaven into the darkness. The devil’s desire to become a god received fuel and an opening with the creation of man and woman. The devil saw this as an opportunity to get back at God. In Genesis 2: 15-17 God clearly and emphatically instructed Adam and Eve not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or surely they would die. God’s statement tells us two things: #1. Disobedience to His commands results in death and #2 that both Adam and Eve had the God given blessing of freedom of choice. Adam and Eve, similar to Lucifer were created with freedom of choice to have and to maintain a loving relationship with the Godhead from the heart and not merely a pre-programed robot whose obedience and relationship with God would be hollow and meaningless.

Genesis tells us that both Adam and Eve did use their God-given freedom of choice and ate of the deadly fruit and were cast out of the Garden of Eden, subjected to a life of toil physical death and potential eternal death. Because of the choice made by Adam and Eve, all descendants inherit physical death and the potential for eternal death as well. This is why God the Father send His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus to die on the cross to be our Redeemer and to pay the price of original sin.

Another Biblical example of spiritual warfare is found in the Book of Job 1:6-12. In studying this particular passage it is evident that God is Sovereign by the fact the devil had to ask permission to attack/harass Job. The devil cannot do anything of his own accord because he isn’t sovereign and despite the fact he is banished from heaven he remains subservient to God’s will, plan, and purpose as well as His total authority. #2 With harassment and attacks come trial, testing, and suffering  all of which add up to the fact that spiritual indeed is real, with real consequences. Spiritual warfare is very nasty and deadly. #3 Throughout his ordeal, Job retained the gift of choice. At one point in his suffering, Job’s wife pleaded with him to renounce God and die. Her words were part of the devil’s tactics and she became an evil messenger. #4 God allowed this trial/test and suffering to go only so far then He intervened. Job was restored, blessed beyond his imagination and the devil realized his limitations and incurred defeat.  #5 There were casualties in this battlefield engagement and that often one’s personal battle includes others. This informs us of the consequences of sin, disobedience, and failure to seek God during those times of trial, testing, and suffering.

In Matthew 4:1-11 God’s Word teaches us another interesting aspect about the devil and spiritual warfare. In this passage the devil tempted Christ Jesus much as he did Adam and Eve. The devil attempted to ignite triggers that would lead Christ Jesus to sin, thereby destroying Christ’s purpose of dying on the cross as mankind’s Redeemer. These attempts of harassment reflect the diabolical purpose of the devil and that he does not respect or fear Christ the incarnate Son of God. If the devil doesn’t respect or fear the Son of God, it doesn’t respect or fear the human efforts of mankind to thwart his deadly efforts. This passage, as well as others, tell us the devil will attack anyone regardless of gender, age, race, status, or affiliation.

It must be emphasized that the devil will tailor his tactics to the unique personalities of men and women. The devil always attacks on the personal level and aims at those areas of weakness of that individual.

The final example of the existence of spiritual warfare for definition purposes is found throughout the Book of Revelation. In chapter 12:10 the Word of God states that the devil has access to God but only by permission from the Godhead. #2 Christ Jesus, after His sacrifice, resurrection, and ascension now and forever sits at the right hand of Abba God in ALL power, authority, and grace. This passage becomes important when one encounters the harassment and spiritual warfare tactics aimed at them.

QUESTIONS:

1.       After reading the given Biblical passages, do you believe spiritual warfare exists?

2.      Do you believe you are immune to spiritual warfare simply because you have received Christ’s salvation?

3.      Do you believe in eternal life and death?

4.      What tactics has the enemy employed against you recently?

5.      Do you know how to combat spiritual warfare?

After meditating on these questions, share your thoughts and answers with others you share a spiritual bond with and do so in faith. The next section on spiritual warfare will address the devil’s tactics and how to prepare for his fiery darts of harassment.