Spiritual Warfare - Definition

8482 spiritual warfare

SOURCE - Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8482 spiritual warfare

Dictionary of Bible Themes ” 8000 The life of the believer ” 8400 The tasks of the believer ” 8482 spiritual warfare

The struggle against the forces of evil, which is a constant feature of the life of faith. Scripture locates the origins of spiritual warfare in the rebellion of Satan and his angels against God and affirms the hope of God’s final victory over such forces through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

8483 spiritual warfare, causes of

SOURCE - Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8483 spiritual warfare, causes of

Dictionary of Bible Themes ” 8000 The life of the believer ” 8400 The tasks of the believer ” 8482 spiritual warfare ” 8483 spiritual warfare, causes of

Spiritual warfare has its origin in a rebellion of many angels against God. Satan is seen as the prince of this world, leading an array of forces opposed to God. Although disarmed by Jesus Christ on the cross, they remain a powerful threat to the church and to individual believers.

Satan and his angels fall

2 Peter 2:4 See also Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19 Some believe the kings of Babylon and Tyre to be types of Satan; 1 Timothy 3:6; Jude 6

Satan and his angels comprise a well-organised army

Ephesians 6:12 See also Colossians 1:13

Satan and his angels will ultimately be fully disarmed by Jesus Christ

Colossians 2:15; Revelation 12:7-9 See also Mark 3:27 pp Matthew 12:29; Luke 10:18; John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8

Satan persecutes the church

Revelation 12:13 The woman is here thought to be symbolic of the church. See also Revelation 2:10; Revelation 13:7 The dragon is here thought to be symbolic of the world’s persecution (empowered by Satan) of the church.

Satan opposes the gospel

2 Corinthians 4:4 See also Matthew 13:19 pp Mark 4:15 pp Luke 8:12; Matthew 13:38-39; 1 Thessalonians 2:2

Examples of opposition to the first Christians

Acts 6:8-14; Acts 7:54-58 Stephen stoned to death; Acts 8:1-3 Saul causes havoc in Jerusalem.

Opposition to Paul and his companions:

Acts 13:6-12-45; Acts 17:13; Acts 18:6

Violent hostility to Paul and his companions:

Acts 9:23; Acts 14:5; Acts 16:16-24; Acts 17:5-6; Acts 19:23-29; Acts 20:3; Acts 21:27-36

Jewish plots against Paul in Jerusalem:

Acts 23:12-15; Acts 25:3

Satan attacks individual believers

Revelation 12:17 See also Job 2:7; Luke 22:31-32; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 5:8

8484 spiritual warfare, enemies in

SOURCE - Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8484 spiritual warfare, enemies in

Dictionary of Bible Themes ” 8000 The life of the believer ” 8400 The tasks of the believer ” 8482 spiritual warfare ” 8484 spiritual warfare, enemies in

Christians are at war with the world, the flesh and the devil. Satan empowers the world to attack believers externally, persecuting, deceiving and seducing them. Internally, sinfulness frustrates the efforts of believers to serve God fully.

The world is an enemy

James 4:4 “world” here refers to the sinful human race, hostile to the truth and to the people of God. See also Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17; John 5:4

The world hates Christians

John 15:19-20 See also Matthew 5:10-12 pp Luke 6:22; John 16:2; John 17:14; 1 Peter 4:12-16; 1 John 3:13; Revelation 13:7 The beast may represent the world’s antichristian persecution.

The world has its own false teaching and religion

Colossians 2:8 See also 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 1 John 4:1; 2Jn 7-11; Jude 3-4; Revelation 13:11; Revelation 19:20 This beast is thought to represent antichristian religion.

The world seeks to seduce Christians

1 John 2:16 See also Luke 12:15; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:12; Hebrews 11:24-25; Revelation 17:1-5 Babylon may represent the world’s seduction.

Sinful human nature is an enemy

Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11 See also Romans 6:12; Romans 7:14-23; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 3:5; Hebrews 12:4; James 4:1

The devil is an enemy

1 Peter 5:8 See also Matthew 13:39 pp Mark 4:15 pp Luke 8:12; John 17:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 12:17

He seeks to tempt Christians

1 Thessalonians 3:5 See also Genesis 3:1-6; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15

He seeks to deceive

2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9 See also Genesis 3:13; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Corinthians 4:4; Corinthians 11:4; Revelation 20:3

He constantly seeks to accuse believers

Revelation 12:10 See also Job 1:9-11; Zechariah 3:1

8485 spiritual warfare, as conflict

SOURCE - Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8485 spiritual warfare, as conflict

Dictionary of Bible Themes ” 8000 The life of the believer ” 8400 The tasks of the believer ” 8482 spiritual warfare ” 8485 spiritual warfare, as conflict

The warfare believers must fight is spiritual, personal, intense and continual. It calls for courage, determination and prayer, and therefore believers must stand in God’s strength and use the armour he has provided.

General descriptions of spiritual conflict

It is spiritual

Ephesians 6:12 See also Zechariah 4:6; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11

It is personal

Luke 22:31-32 See also Romans 7:23; 2 Timothy 3:12; Timothy 4:18

It is strenuous

Hebrews 12:4 See also John 16:33; Philippians 1:27-30; 1 Peter 4:12-13

It is continual

Ephesians 6:13 See also 2 Timothy 2:3; Hebrews 3:13; Revelation 12:10

How believers are to fight

With courage

1 Corinthians 16:13 See also Joshua 1:9; Joshua 10:25; 2 Chronicles 32:6-8
With determination