Spiritual Warfare! Offensive? Defensive?

[St_Worm2]

Both 

Greetings! I've always thought of "spiritual warfare" as a mostly defensive operation on the part of the saints, but I'm wondering if I need to revise my thinking about that? For instance,

Quote

Matthew 16
18 I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Quote

2 Corinthians 10 
3      Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 
4      for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 
5      We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

So, what say you? Offensive, defensive or both, and if it is the latter, do you believe that we are (or at least should be) principally engaged in an offensive or defensive operation  (please explain why you believe what you do w/a verse or two in support, if possible). Thanks!!

BTW, I always thought of "gates" as being defensive in nature, but the wording of Matthew 16:18 makes the gates of hell sound like it could be an offensive weapon of some sort instead, especially in translations like the NASB, NIV, and paraphrases like the NLT ("will not overpower it/the church" NASB and/or "will not conquer it/the church" NLT), though the AV's/NKJV's" translation, "the gates of hell ~shall not prevail~ against it (the church)" could certainly be understood as the "gates" being offensive too.

There is much more concerning this topic that I'd like to discuss, but this seems like a good place to start, so please let me/us know what you think about all of this 

God bless you!!

--David 
 

Quote

Ephesians 6
10      Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 
11      Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 
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. 
13      Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 
14      Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 
15      and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 
16      in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 
17      And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

 

 

Edited March 7 by St_Worm2

[Marilyn C]

On 3/7/2025 at 11:30 AM, St_Worm2 said:

Both 

Greetings! I've always thought of "spiritual warfare" as a mostly defensive operation on the part of the saints, but I'm wondering if I need to revise my thinking about that? For instance,

So, what say you? Offensive, defensive or both, and if it is the latter, do you believe that we are (or at least should be) principally engaged in an offensive or defensive operation  (please explain why you believe what you do w/a verse or two in support, if possible). Thanks!!

BTW, I always thought of "gates" as being defensive in nature, but the wording of Matthew 16:18 makes the gates of hell sound like it could be an offensive weapon of some sort instead, especially in translations like the NASB, NIV, and paraphrases like the NLT ("will not overpower it/the church" NASB and/or "will not conquer it/the church" NLT), though the AV's/NKJV's" translation, "the gates of hell ~shall not prevail~ against it (the church)" could certainly be understood as the "gates" being offensive too.

There is much more concerning this topic that I'd like to discuss, but this seems like a good place to start, so please let me/us know what you think about all of this 

God bless you!!

--David 
 

 

 

Hi David,

Very good topic and most important. I believe that the `gates of hell,` is symbolic for the authority of hell. Gates in Israel were where the elders sat to determine matters. So, Satan only has limited authority by God till he is cast out of the principalities and powers realm and then limited to the earth. (Rev. 12: 7 - 9) 

As the believer has authority in Christ from the higher heavens, where Christ is seated with the Father, then we have the greater authority. (Eph. 1: 20   2: 6)

Then the `fight` here while we are on earth is in the mind. As God shows `our thoughts.` (2 Cor. 10: 5) And today I believe Satan is after access to the believer`s mind. He is doing this through the media where so many people are listening to conspiracy theories and wrong doctrines. Once Satan has a person believing lies then he has access to that person`s mind and can gradually control his thinking and actions. You see the person starts to `hear` Satan`s voice (angel of light) and not the Lord`s.

Satan won`t be getting the person doing outright evil but just getting them busy with everyday life and thinking they are working for God or just distracted by life. 

Very dangerous not hearing the Lord.

[other one]

I agree Both.

[missmuffet]

29 minutes ago, other one said:

I agree Both.

Yes, offensive and defensive.

[FriendofJonathan]

On 3/6/2025 at 7:30 PM, St_Worm2 said:

Both 

Greetings! I've always thought of "spiritual warfare" as a mostly defensive operation on the part of the saints, but I'm wondering if I need to revise my thinking about that? For instance,

So, what say you? Offensive, defensive or both, and if it is the latter, do you believe that we are (or at least should be) principally engaged in an offensive or defensive operation  (please explain why you believe what you do w/a verse or two in support, if possible). Thanks!!

BTW, I always thought of "gates" as being defensive in nature, but the wording of Matthew 16:18 makes the gates of hell sound like it could be an offensive weapon of some sort instead, especially in translations like the NASB, NIV, and paraphrases like the NLT ("will not overpower it/the church" NASB and/or "will not conquer it/the church" NLT), though the AV's/NKJV's" translation, "the gates of hell ~shall not prevail~ against it (the church)" could certainly be understood as the "gates" being offensive too.

There is much more concerning this topic that I'd like to discuss, but this seems like a good place to start, so please let me/us know what you think about all of this 

God bless you!!

--David 
 

 

 

Hello brother. 

When we read and think about putting on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6, we need remember that when God saved us He has prepared us for battle, and the armor we take to battle is from God, all of which is both defensive and offensive. 

[timf]

Only one offensive weapon is provided, the word of God.

We can see how to use it from the example of Jesus;

Luk 4:4  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Since Christians are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, we would probably seldom have any direct demonic encounters. However, this weapon is useful when dealing with our own flesh also.

For example, if desiring to say something hurtful in response to being hurt, we might admonish ourselves with;

1Th_5:15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

[grumix8]

Prayer is also a powerful protection.

[com7fy8]

When I think of spiritual warfare, I think of Ephesians 4:31 >

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31)

Paul here does not say to struggle with or try to negotiate with and appease anger and bitterness. But put them away > just get rid of them . . . how God who is almighty does this easily and breezily and beautifully.

And then is when we can love the way Jesus in us has us loving >

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

We get rid of what is anti-love by means of God getting rid of it, and then we have God instead affecting us so we share with God Himself making us kind and tenderly caring while sharing with God in how He forgives.

This makes us strong in Jesus.

In us is where we need to win, then, especially.

"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

We trust God, then, to do all He means by His word . . . in us in our character so we are strong in Jesus >

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." (Ephesians 6:10)

And by being strong in Jesus we have His defense of His own immunity almighty against how Satanic things would affect us spiritually and emotionally and in our feelings and thinking.

In His love we have almighty immunity against fear and all its different ways of "torment" >

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)

So, most of all, for defense, I would say, is to have the immunity of God's love in our character.

Edited June 2 by com7fy8

[com7fy8]

God can not change.

And God can not give in to evil >

"God cannot be tempted by evil" > in James 1:13.

And God in us shares with us how He is in almighty immunity against evil. As we grow in His perfect love, we more and more share with God in how He is >

"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)

[com7fy8]

Our Apostle Paul says >

"All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (in 1 Corinthians 6:12)

So, part of defensive warfare is to make sure we do not allow any things of this life to have power over us. We do not let ourselves be under the power of people and things which would get us into workaholic stuff or stress or burn-out. And do not let things get us into unforgiveness or lusts and demands for different sorts of pleasure and controlling people. 

But stay submissive to God instead . .   in His peace >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

This is God's own peace, therefore almighty to guard us in our minds and hearts > while we obey how He has us pray >

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

So, while we obey God in this peace, we have almighty protection in the "minds and hearts" of our personality.

Edited June 2 by com7fy8