Questions from the Class
Question 5: What Exactly Is Spiritual Warfare? How Does Satan Influence It?
Few subjects generate more confusion in modern Christianity than spiritual warfare.
Many believers imagine spiritual warfare as a dramatic confrontation with demons, territorial spirits, or unseen supernatural battles. While Scripture certainly teaches the reality of demonic forces, the New Testament presents spiritual warfare in a far more practical and Christ-centered manner.
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
Spiritual warfare is the ongoing conflict between God’s kingdom and the kingdom of darkness.
It is the battle that occurs whenever truth confronts error, righteousness confronts sin, and God’s purposes are opposed by Satan and his forces.
Paul explains:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Notice that Paul does not deny the existence of spiritual enemies.
He simply reminds believers that the ultimate battle is not against people.
Behind human opposition often stand spiritual realities.
How Does Satan Fight?
The Bible consistently portrays Satan using several primary strategies.
Deception
Jesus said:
“He is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
Deception is Satan’s oldest weapon.
In Eden he questioned God’s Word.
“Yea, hath God said...?” (Genesis 3:1)
He still uses the same strategy today.
Whenever God’s truth is questioned, distorted, or replaced, Satan’s influence is at work.
Temptation
Satan tempted Eve.
Satan tempted Christ.
Satan tempts believers.
He seeks to entice people toward disobedience and away from God’s will.
Accusation
Revelation calls him:
“The accuser of our brethren.” (Revelation 12:10)
Satan delights in reminding believers of past failures.
The gospel reminds believers that Christ has already paid for those sins.
Opposition
Paul wrote:
“Satan hindered us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:18)
Satan opposes evangelism, discipleship, prayer, missions, and church ministry.
What Spiritual Warfare Is Not
Many modern teachings move beyond Scripture.
The New Testament never instructs believers to:
Rebuke territorial spirits.
Conduct spiritual mapping.
Identify regional demons.
Hold conversations with demons.
Discover secret names of spirits.
Instead, the emphasis remains on faithful obedience to Christ.
The Armor of God
The clearest passage on spiritual warfare is Ephesians 6:10-18.
Notice what Paul emphasizes:
Truth
Righteousness
The gospel
Faith
Salvation
Scripture
Prayer
These are ordinary Christian disciplines.
Paul does not present secret techniques.
He presents faithful discipleship.
The Victory of Spiritual Warfare
Many believers think spiritual warfare is about defeating Satan.
In reality, Christ has already secured the decisive victory.
At Calvary:
“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15)
Believers do not fight for victory.
They fight from victory.
Why This Matters
The greatest protection against Satan is not an obsession with Satan.
It is a close walk with Christ.
A believer saturated with Scripture, committed to prayer, active in fellowship, and walking in obedience is already practicing biblical spiritual warfare.
