Spiritual Warfare

Introduction
The subject and teaching about spiritual warfare has become very popular in recent decades, especially among evangelical Christians of a charismatic persuasion and doctrine. While an awareness of the unseen spiritual world is important, some unconfirmed or non-biblical things are taught based on anecdotes and experience. It is the purpose of this course to ensure that the Bible alone is the foundation for these truths.

Satan and the Demons: Their Origin
The Bible only hints at the beginnings of the devil (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Luke 10:18) and is almost completely silent concerning the origins of demons. Many Christians believe that they are fallen angels who were cast out of heaven along with Satan thousands of years ago (Revelation 12:7-9; Matthew 25:41). Revelation 12:4 may suggest that a third of the angels joined this rebellion. If these became evil spirits or demons, in addition to these there may be an additional group of fallen angels whose sin was so grievous that they have been bound in chains of judgment (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; cf. 1 Peter 3:16 and Luke 8:31). These may have been involved in the sinful activity that occurred prior to the flood (Genesis 6:1-4; cf. Job 1:6).

Their Mission
Demons are spirit rather than material, real though invisible, and totally evil. Because they have no physical body, demons seek to indwell and possess human beings. If they are expelled from those bodies, they always seek to return and some are more wicked than others (Matthew 12:43-45). It seems they operate in groups (Mark 1:21-28) and some of them have names (Mark 5:9). They have some form of hierarchy of leaders (Ephesians 6:12) who may have some territorial affiliation (Daniel 10:13,20; Mark 5:10) . They seek to infiltrate areas of influence in both the religious and political world (Ephesians 2:2 and 2 Corinthians 4:4). Perhaps they also do the devil’s bidding by actively tempting Christians into sin and disobedience to God (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11).

Demon Possession
It is not known how demons enter people. Some have speculated that it is through the occult or false religion; others have suggested that it is through acts of sin; but the Bible does not tell us. In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus deals with a demon that had entered someone from their childhood and may have developed a stronger hold over the person due to this longevity.

The Bible does reveal what affect demons have upon people they inhabit. These include:

1. Madness and Self Destruction (Mark 5:3-5; Matthew 17:15)
2. Supernatural Ability (Mark 5:3-4; Acts 8:9-10; Acts 16:16; Exodus 7:11)
3. Sickness (Mark 9:25; Luke 13:10-13)
4. Possession (Mark 1:23-26; Mark 5:1-8)

Some Possible Misconceptions
We note that sinful moral behaviour or emotional difficulties are not explicitly included in this list. The closest we have for this oft taught concept can be found in 1 Kings 22:19-23 and 2 Timothy 1:7 but neither are conclusive. In the New Testament, personal sin is defeated by crucifixion not deliverance (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:11-12). The “strongholds” to which Paul alludes in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 are in the minds of the carnal Christians at Corinth, rather than in the heavenly realms. Similarly, Matthew 16:19 and 18:18 are not in a spiritual warfare context and refer rather to church discipline. The absence of “spiritual warfare meetings” in The Acts of the Apostles should cast doubt on how prominent they should be in the church calendar today: see Acts 4:23-31.

Jesus Christ and the Demons
In His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ had power to expel demons, clearly to the astonishment of the crowds who witnessed this (Mark 1:27). He said that He cast them out by the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:28). He also imparted this authority to His students (Matthew 10:1) but not to religious people who didn’t know Him (Acts 19:13-16). It is possible that His personal moral victory over sin was a significant key in this ability to expel the demons (Luke 4:1-13 and Mark 3:27). The New Testament writers are very clear that the shedding of His blood on the cross dealt the final blow of defeat to the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15; Revelation 12:11; 1 John 3:8).

Christians and Demons
The good news for Christians is that Christ has delivered them from the power and dominion of demons (Colossians 1:13) and the only power the devil has over a believer is that which he is “given” (Ephesians 4:27). Remember, “flies don’t land on a hot stove!” (R.Bonnke). Christians should forsake all contact with the occult and demonism (Deuteronomy 18:9-13); and avoid any fascination with this subject, even under the guise of “deliverance ministry”. In 1942, C.S. Lewis wrote,

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors.”

Paul wrote that in the last days some will give heed to "doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). The Greek construction allows us to translate this “doctrines about demons”, and this is certainly prevalent in many charismatic circles today. To be avoided at all costs. See Philippians 4:8.

The Believers Victory
Christ’s words in Luke 10:18-20 are central to this subject and must be actively believed by all Christians today. Thankfully, encounters with the demonic are rare but many believers find the reality of evil forces to be alarming. We conclude this series by considering ten solid reasons why the devil and his activities should not be feared by those who are genuinely following the Lord Jesus Christ. 

1.  He's only the devil, a fallen angel. His ‘power’ and ‘greatness’ is a deception. Isaiah 14:16.

2.  He was utterly defeated by Jesus Christ on the cross 1 John 3:8, Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14.

3.  He was cast down to the earth. Revelation 12:9, Isaiah 14:12-15, Luke 10:18.

4.  Christians are not his captives anymore. Ephesians 2:1-6, 1 John 2:12-14.

5.  He lives under the feet of believers. They govern with Jesus Christ in the heavenlies. Luke 10:19; Ephesians 1:20; 2:6.

6.  When resisted, he will always flee. James 4:7.

7.  Christians are anointed by the Holy Spirit. The devil is the ex-anointed one. 1 John 4:4, Acts 10:38.

8.  His only real weapon is his ability to deceive and tell lies: Revelation 12:10, Genesis 3:1-5.

9.  God sends His angels to surround His people: 2 Kings 6:15-17, Hebrews 1:14.

10. The believers’ future is heaven. The devil’s future is the lake of fire. Revelation 20:10.