Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Eph 6:10-13)

Our enemy is so subtle, that one of his cleverest schemes has been to deceive Christians about the true nature of spiritual warfare. If you can’t defeat the enemy, then divert them. Let them think that they are doing massive damage to the forces of darkness, when in reality they are doing very little at all.

False teaching abounds in this area of spiritual warfare. The past few years have seen more superstition than exposition of Scripture. Here is just a sample of some of the things that are now part of the common vocabulary of many, many Christians: binding Satan, binding demonic spirits, rebuking Satan or his demons, pleading the blood of Jesus, breaking the legal hold of demons, rebuking the territorial spirits, breaking generational curses, spiritual transference, the spirit of Jezebel, the spirit of Absalom. Curses are just some of the multitudes of mythical lore that have emerged in the past years. The problem is just that the large majority of popular teaching on spiritual warfare finds absolutely no basis in Scripture. It is usually a fragment of a Bible verse, which is warped into something it doesn’t mean, and then a story, an experience is given to validate or prove this new meaning given to that Scripture.

But experience is not meant to interpret the Bible. The Bible is meant to interpret our experiences. And the truth is the Bible teaches none of these things. Only some popular authors do: Frank Peretti, C. Peter Wagner, John Wimber, Neil Anderson, Rebecca Brown, Mark Bubeck and others are selling books by the boatload. But the problem is instead of helping believers become more Christlike, so as to be more effective for Christ, they are instead filling Christians with all kinds of methodologies ‘say this’, ‘break this curse’, ‘burn this’, ‘say this out loud’ – none of which finds any basis in Scripture. It really is in many ways, a subtle return to medieval superstition – where all kinds of things were to be done to ward off evil spirits.

There are two extremes when we come to looking at the issue of spiritual warfare. There are those who act as if Satan and his forces do not exist. They think the world is a playground, instead of a battleground. They are the materialists, those who think that spiritual battles are almost fictitious.

On the other hand, you have people who are so fascinated with Satan and demons that they give them undue attention, and give them glory. For that matter, I believe the attention they give them, draws their attention. That, I believe, is a lot of the reason why those most fascinated with spiritual warfare often have such outrageous stories. Fascination with demons is like baiting them.

Here in Ephesians we have perhaps the key passage dealing with spiritual warfare. Here we find many of the answers as to what the warfare is about, who the enemy is, and how we are to wage this warfare.

Key Questions on Spiritual Warfare

Who is involved in this warfare?

We see the answer to that in verse 11 and 12. Verse 11 ends with ‘the wiles of the devil’. The devil is the enemy. Then verse 12 begins with the word ‘for’. It is explaining that last sentence a little more. Our fight is not against flesh and blood – i.e. human beings, but principalities, powers. We’ve seen that phrase before in 3:10:

“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,” (Eph 3:10)

So this is a reference to angelic beings – fallen angels that followed Satan in his rebellion against God. They are also called, “rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” These different titles suggest that Satan’s angels are organised, structured and have definite rank and order in his army. On the other side is the Lord, His holy angels, and believers.

What is this warfare?

A lot of the confusion in this topic of spiritual warfare comes about because people do not understand what the battle is about? What is the fight over? If you see two nations at war, the first thing you ask is, “What are they fighting over?”

If you do not understand what the fight is about, you’ll probably attack the wrong thing, defend the wrong thing or fail to attack or defend the right things. Probably the easiest way to answer this question is what is considered victory in this war? What is considered defeat?

The war is over God’s name and His right to rule His creation. John Bunyan captured the idea well in his sequel to Pilgrim’s Progress called ‘The Holy War’. Here he pictures this spiritual battle with characters. He calls the devil a giant named Diabolus, God he calls King Shaddai, and man is called Mansoul.

Excerpt from The Holy War:

In this gallant country of Universe, there lies a pleasant and peaceful municipality called Mansoul. The picturesque architecture of this town, its convenient location, and its superior advantages cannot be equaled under heaven. . . . Once upon a time, a mighty giant named Diabolus made an assault upon this famous town of Mansoul. He tried to take it and make it his own habitation. This giant was the terrible prince of darkness. He was originally one of the servants of King Shaddai, who had placed him in a very high and mighty position. . . .

Knowing they had lost their positions and the King’s favour forever, Diabolus and his rebels turned their pride into hatred against Shaddai and his Son. They roamed about in fury from place to place in search of something that belonged to the King on which to take their revenge.

At last they happened to find this spacious country of Universe, and they steered their course toward the famous town of Mansoul. Considering it to be one of the chief works and delights of King Shaddai, they decided to make an assault upon the town. . . .

When they found the place, they shouted horribly for joy and roared as a lion over its prey, saying: “Now we have found the prize and how to take revenge on King Shaddai for what he has done to us.” So they called a council of war and considered what methods they should use to win this famous town of Mansoul for themselves.”

Satan lost his position as the anointed cherub, and now seeks to turn men away from God; his goal is that men would agree with him, that God is not worth worshipping or following and that they should instead live for themselves and worship him.

The fight is over the name of the Lord – His glory and His sovereign right over the world, and His right to be worshipped. The fight is primarily over human beings’ response to God. Satan fights against the salvation of the unsaved, and the sanctification of the saved. Salvation and sanctification are both expansions of God’s kingdom.

The fight is not over geographical territory. Nowhere does the Bible teach that demons own certain parts of the town, which we must claim back by marching or taking a prayer walk and then rebuking the demon of that street or town or suburb. The closest we come to so-called territorial spirits is in the book of Daniel where Daniel hears of evil angels called the prince of Persia and the prince of Greece. But all this means is that demons can and do influence the nations, even have sway over them. It certainly does not teach that demons somehow capture geographical areas. Frankly, eternal beings like Satan and his angels really would not be interested in real estate. The fight is over eternal souls.

So his first goal is to prevent the spread or the reception of the Gospel, with various means, which we will look at. His second goal is to disarm, defeat, discourage, distract or divide Christians. God’s chosen method of the spread of the Gospel is saved human beings, so we become Satan’s target.

Two key thoughts to bear in mind:

• Satan and his demons are not the targets in our warfare – human beings are. In other words, Satan and his angels are the opposition, but they are not the target. Our target, our goal is the souls of people. That’s who we focus on. That’s what we aim for. That’s what we pray for and strive after. It is like a rescue mission. You will face opposition. But your target is to rescue those POWs, those prisoners. It is not a strike mission – where we are to deliberately take on the opposition. This is where so much spiritual warfare has gone wrong. The thinking is if we are wrestling with evil spiritual forces, then we must take them on – challenge them, fight with them, speak to them. ‘Power encounters’ are what they call them. But the Bible does not tell us to target demons. It tells us to target people, and be ready for satanic opposition as you do so.
• We are not fighting for victory, we are fighting from victory. That’s not just a little neat cliché, it is the truth. This is a war that was begun before we were born, and it was a war that was won before we were born. God delivered the decisive blow to Satan at the cross and the resurrection. At the cross, God proved His own commitment to His holiness, to His justice, to His name. God was not going to unfairly pardon everyone. But He also proved His incredible mercy – He was willing to forsake His own Son. So God paid the penalty for man’s sins, so that they could fellowship with him and worship Him, He died and rose again, so that men could die and rise again. Satan’s two keys – sin, and its punishment – physical and eternal death, were dealt with at the cross and the resurrection.

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” (Heb 2:14)

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled [disarmed] principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly [made a public spectacle of them], triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2:14-15)

What is going on now is guerrilla warfare on the part of Satan and his hosts as God works that victory out. As souls are saved, as believers have victory over sin and find satisfaction in God and not in sin. God’s purposes go on, and move unstoppably towards His purpose of glorifying His Son, on His timetable.

It really is not our fight, it’s His. And He’s already won. But His final victory demands that we fight with all we have. Victory is certain, but not easy. It is definite, but not something to be taken lightly.

What rights do Satan and his demons have? What should our attitude be toward them?

Many Christians do not understand the Bible’s teaching on Satan. They either regard him as the one who owns the world, and God is fighting to get back in, or else they see him as someone with absolutely no rights or power at all.

The Bible clearly regards Satan as having some form of power or kingdom. 2 Corinthians 4:4 calls him ‘the god of this world’. Jesus called him the ‘prince of this world’ three times in the Gospel of John. Ephesians 2:2 calls him ‘the prince of the power of the air’. When Satan was tempting Jesus, he showed him the kingdoms of the world, and then said:

“To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.” (Luk 4:6)

“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” (1Jo 5:19)

So Satan is certainly the ruler of his kingdom. But the question is – what is that kingdom. It is important to know this, so we understand how powerful he is, what he can and cannot do.

Satan’s kingdom is not the earth. The Bible is clear – ‘the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof’. God’s kingdom is the entire universe and everyone is under His Sovereign control. Satan’s rebel kingdom is a system of beliefs. He is the originator and ruler over this age – this organised system of belief and practise which man lives in. His thoughts, opinions, hopes, aspiration, aims, speculations – the moral and mental atmosphere we breathe. Because his system of beliefs is accepted by men everywhere, he effectively has rule over the actions, and even nations of men.

Regarding unbelievers, he blinds them to the Gospel (2 Cor 4:4). He steals the seed of the Word from their hearts before it germinates. (Matt 13:19). He works in them (Eph 2:2), using his system to keep them from the kingdom of God.

Though Satan is a rebel to God, and is largely controlling over men’s minds, he is under God’s control. The book of Job makes it clear that Satan must ask God for permission to afflict believers. In fact, God chooses to use Satan’s rebellion to affect His own purposes. Paul was afflicted by a messenger of Satan, but God used it to grow Paul in humility. He clearly has no power over death according to Hebrews 2:14.

Satan has no power over believers that God does not give him. He has no hold over believers: “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” (1Jo 5:18)

What should my attitude towards Satan and his demons be as a believer?

Firstly, the Bible does not command me to confront Satan. That means I am not commanded to bind and rebuke Satan. There is only one reference to Satan being bound in the Bible, and it will be done by a strong angel in Revelation 20:1-2. People sometimes point to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 12 where in reference to casting out demons he said:

“Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.” (Mat 12:29)

Jesus was making reference to His own power to bind Satan, not giving a methodology for Christians to follow in dealing with Satan. Nor are we to verbally rebuke Satan. In this regard, Jude warns his readers about false teachers who speak abusively of angelic powers:

“Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jud 1:8-9)

That sounds like the very opposite of what many are doing today. Michael the archangel did not dare say anything more than ‘The LORD rebukes you’ How much more should we hold our tongues. Indeed, we are never told to address Satan, to speak to him, to rebuke him. We are told to speak to God, and to resist Satan.

The current methodology of asking a demon for its name so as to cast it out is not commanded in Scripture. Certainly, our Lord did that, but He also did many other things which we would not copy parrot fashion, like spitting on a man’s eyes to heal them. In fact, God warned Israel not to name the names of the demonic gods of the Canaanites:

“And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.” (Exo 23:13)

Having extended conversations with demons is not recommended or commanded by one of the apostles. We must not teach all of the experiences of Jesus and the apostles as normative, we must experience their teachings.

So we do not have to bind and rebuke him.

Secondly, we are told to be sober and vigilant.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (I Pet 5:8)

The devil may be defeated but that does not mean he is not dangerous. He still has power, and is seeking prey, like a lion. So we are to be sober, serious-minded and vigilant. Be aware of his ways and schemes. Learn from the Bible the strategies of Satan. We are not to give place to the devil through ignorance, neglect, foolishness or slothfulness. In a battle, the enemy seeks to attack you at your weakest point. We cannot afford to be lax, or casual with our spiritual lives. Be cautious, but confident.

But thirdly, we are told to resist him.

“Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1Pe 5:9)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” (Jam 4:7-8)

Resist means we are to stand against his temptations and deceptions. We are to push ahead with the spread of the Gospel and the discipling of the saints. Resisting the devil happens every time we submit to God. As we do that – we resist the devil. That’s when he flees – not when we stand around pretending to have authority we do not have, but when we embrace the authority of Jesus by submitting to it.

There are many who claim to be speaking in the name and authority of Jesus. But they demonstrate that they are not, since they refuse to submit to His authority by obeying Him. That is why Jesus warned:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Mat 7:21-23)

The ones who enter are those who do His will – who submit to authority, not those who claim to have it for the casting out of demons. We resist Satan by living a holy life.

Fourthly, do not fear him. Satan is a creature, and is subject to God’s control. He cannot be at all places at all times. He does not know all things, nor can he do all things. His power is limited and his activities are supervised by God. He can go no further than God allows him to go. His rebellious activities do not please God, but God is pleased to use them for ultimate ends that will please Him. God may use Satan’s temptations, deceptions and trials in your life the way He used them in Job’s life. There is nothing to fear though. The whole situation is under the control of God.

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God’s own choosing?
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabbaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.