Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is a topic that is both biblical and contemporary. As the apostle Paul has said, “we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age” (Eph 6:12 GNB). And those of us who approach counseling and broader ministry from a spiritual and Spirit-led perspective soon discover that Satan is alive and active today on both of the levels spoken of below.
Whether it is the temptation in the Garden (Gen 3), the constant conflict between Yahweh and the various gods of Israel’s neighbors (e.g. Baal, Ashteroth, Chemosh, etc.) over the allegiance of Israel (e.g. Josh 24:14-24), the discussion between God and Satan over Job (Job 1), the hindrance by the “Prince of Persia” of the answer to Daniel’s prayer (Dan 10:13), the temptations of Jesus by Satan (Lk 4:1-13) or the various references in Acts (e.g. 16:16-18; 19:11-20), the Epistles (e.g. 1 Cor 10:18-21; 2 Cor 10:4-5; 1 Pet 5:8; 1 Jn 3:8) and Revelation (e.g. chs 2-3), it is clear that Scripture portrays human life as lived in a context of continual warfare between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Read more
