What is Spiritual Warfare?

[Arial]

2 Corinthians 10:3-4

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

There are many misconceptions about what spiritual warfare is, some of them futile, some even potentially dangerous. The scripture above is not saying we now go into combat with spiritual beings or forces. And neither is Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

They are saying that this battle we have between our flesh and our spirit, and the forces of evil that may come against us, are in and of the darkness of this world. They have their source in the evil one/ones, the powers and rulers in the unseen realm that rage against God and against His redemption but that plays out on earth through men and in our minds by the desires of our flesh.

We do not wage war against them by rebuking them or confronting them in any way. Jude tells us not even the angels do this. Jude 1: 8-9 Likewise  these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries . Yet even Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said "The Lord rebuke you!" That should be a cautionary tale for all who go "face to face", "hand to hand" with the devil and demons. Who think they have more power than does that enemy simply by borrowing the name of Jesus.

And we are not to confuse our own fleshly desires and battles as being personal attacks by the devil.

We are told in Eph 6 that those in Christ have all the defensive armor; truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation. And that it is His power. And we have the one offensive weapon we need---the word of God. Does this mean we hurl the word of God at the enemy and that is what makes him go away and all out fleshly desires with it like a magic potion? No. It means know the word of God and submit yourselves to that word---to God. James 4:7.

[FJK]

48 minutes ago, Arial said:

Does this mean we hurl the word of God at the enemy and that is what makes him go away and all out fleshly desires with it like a magic potion?

It could also mean we teach it to our children in their schooling in place of letting Satan use his schools to teach his words to them.

The Bible does have quite a bit to say about how we raise and educate our children, something that is mostly ignored today.

[teddyv]

On 4/20/2023 at 11:14 AM, FJK said:

It could also mean we teach it to our children in their schooling in place of letting Satan use his schools to teach his words to them.

The Bible does have quite a bit to say about how we raise and educate our children, something that is mostly ignored today.

True. Western Christianity tends to be pretty dualistic.

[Believer112]

On 4/25/2023 at 4:24 AM, teddyv said:

True. Western Christianity tends to be pretty dualistic.

Well, my Christianity is [expletive removed] weak. Because I've allowed it to go on for 15 years. Now my millennials and babies are in a world I allowed satan to create.  If you follow the money that's where the evil resides. Your health is a big money opportunity for the evil one.

Look up reversing diabetes on youtube. Peace

[farouk]

8 hours ago, TheBlade said:

"Well, my Christianity is [expletive removed] weak. Because I've allowed it to go on for 15 years. Now my millennials and babies are in a world I allowed satan to create.  If you follow the money that's where the evil resides. Your health is a big money opportunity for the evil one."

When I was very young like 16 on the phone to this woman that her and her husband (grandparents) ran. She prayed 4 hours a day. On the phone I was no happy and I used the word you did da***. She instantly rebuked me and would not in Jesus name receive that... I right away said sorry I knew what I did.

Do you know why I did repent? Now me I am not of this world I don't ack like it talk like it, it is not my home. hmm there are some places that are not the best place to talk about things since they do not believe and still drinking milk. We will answer "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

This also is "do you know why?". Its amazing at how we think we can say anything and we can joke about almost anything and its ok. As if the enemy knows we are just kidding. There is no such thing. He the enemy never sleep he does this 24/7.  Its why were told how to think, what to say on and on and its always to do good to encourage to show grace love. Not once and while but ever moment of ever day. We run by what we see not faith. This one tiny area can put so many road blocks so to speak between us and GOD and receiving where He gets blamed for not doing it not answering. Yet He could not go against our will and what we speak the enemy uses against us ever time. 

So I rebuke this in Jesus name I will not receive it. You know better for those words never came for the great I am but the flesh. I am shocked no one said a word. Milk 

Hi @TheBlade The armor of God passage in Ephesians 6 is very relevant........