Spiritual Warfare

Introduction
“It dawned on me while meditating on war one day that every human – a three-dimensional being living in the physical, psychological and spiritual realms—was born a war baby.”
—C.N. Tokatloglou
What did longtime friend to OCF and Bible teacher, “Mr. Tok,” mean by that statement? The Bible is a narrative of the ancient struggle against good and evil, between sin and righteousness, between darkness and light. Scripture tells us there IS a devil—Satan—who leads a well-organized army of fallen angels that are demons who are opposed to God and His kingdom. We are not excused from this battle. As Christians, even if we do not think we are at war with evil, Satan has initiated a war against us. Satan’s attacks aren’t always direct, often coming through other human beings—even including believers, close friends, and even family. So what are we to do about it? How are we to engage the enemy, and of what ultimate outcome may we be confident?
Scripture references
Study the following biblical references and consider how they address the questions listed below. If using this outline with a Small Group, consider assigning different Scriptures to different individuals and relating them to one or more of the questions. Then scroll down the page to review our recommended resources for the topic of Spiritual Warfare and consider how the various articles or podcasts provide further insights relating to this topic. Also consider other resources you have been exposed to and might recommend to others. We value your feedback
Ephesians 6:10-20; Genesis 3:1-24, and 4:1-15; Matthew 4:1-10; 1 John 5:19; James 4:4; 2 Corinthians 4:4 and 10:3-5; I Peter 5:6-9; Ephesians 1:19-21; Hebrews 10:14; Colossians 1:1-11
Questions
- Are all believers involved in spiritual warfare? Can’t we just “lay low” and avoid it?
- What can we learn about Satan’s goals and methods from his attacks in Genesis, on Jesus in the wilderness, and on Peter’s description of Satan as a “roaring lion”? How does he attack today?
- What are the ways that you see spiritual warfare occurring or taking place around you?
- What defensive and offense weapons can we use to fight against Satan and his angels?
- Have you had occasions when you felt attacked by close friends and fellow believers? What was your response?
- As members of the military we understand “readiness.” Compare how we prepare ourselves for physical warfare with how we prepare ourselves for spiritual warfare. In what ways are they similar and different?
Recommended Resources
Following are a series of carefully selected resources that provide perspectives and experiences of various authors, most having military experience. These articles and podcasts are intended to stimulate further thinking and reflective application for individuals or to act as the basis of discussion in small groups.
Additional Resources
OCF offers many extra resources as you continue digging into the subdomain of Spiritual Warfare.
Wrestling with Depression
Keep these thoughts in mind when facing depression.
War on Spiritual Terrorism
When we go to war, we are fighting both a physical foe and a spiritual enemy.
Waging Another War
Waging war against sexual impurity starts in the battlefield of the mind.
Undivided Heart
Do you allow the "spiritual self" or the "old nature" to dictate your decisions?
The Slippery Heart
Men and women of authority, education, and influence are particularly susceptible. Their gifting, potentially so helpful in service and leadership, spills over to coat the heart with ill-placed personal pride and assurance.
Spiritual War
There are a number of weapons and tactics in spiritual warfare.
Let His Light Shine!
How's your Christ light shining?
Encouragement: A Powerful Tool Against the Enemy
Combating Satan's tool of discouragement requires confident faith in Jesus Christ, that unutterable trust of knowing He is always standing with us through all life's bewildering fires.
Combat Readiness
We must renew our commitment to study, discuss, pray over, and apply God’s Word to every aspect of our lives, knowing that we have the victory in Christ.
Being a spiritual point man
There may be times when you're discouraged, when your spiritual strength and confidence may be shaken, or when you grow tired from the high spiritual operational tempo. Do not lose hope!
6 strategies to avoid becoming a spiritual casualty
Given the description in Ephesians 6 of the spiritual battle raging around us, what can we do to prepare for the moral ambushes upon us from the enemy and avoid becoming a spiritual casualty? This article explores 6 tactics to help you avoid becoming a spiritual casualty.