Introduction:

Welcome to our series on spiritual warfare, an essential topic for every believer. You are already guaranteed the victory through Christ, but how can you expect to walk in that victory if you don't know what traps to look out for? The battle has already been won, but walking in that victory takes work and skill.

In this series, we aim to help you understand your adversary a little better, setting you up for higher rates of success as you walk with Jesus. We'll explore why spiritual warfare matters, uncover the tactics of the enemy, and equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to triumph in your spiritual journey. So, join us as we delve into the depths of this ongoing battle and learn how to walk confidently in the victory that is already yours.

You are already guaranteed the victory. The battle has already been won, but if you don’t know what traps you are looking for, how can you ever expect to walk in the victory you are given? The issue is victory is already won, but walking in it takes work and skill.

Why Talk About Spiritual Warfare?

Some people may ask why we need to talk about spiritual warfare. Why should we spend time understanding our enemy? My hope is that through this series, you will understand your adversary a little better and be set up for higher rates of success as you walk with Jesus. Last week, we discussed some reasons why we must watch out for our enemy and noted that Jesus even warned the disciples to keep watch.

2 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV)
"...so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs."

Ephesians 4:27 (ESV)
"...and give no opportunity to the devil."

Satan’s biggest desire is to get you to fail, but we understand that...

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual warfare is a theological term used to describe the ongoing battle between the church and the Devil and his angels. Satan’s main job is to deceive and stop people from finding salvation by blinding and distracting them with sin. Warfare, in general, implies losses—it’s just a matter of who suffers the loss. So, this spiritual battle is an ongoing struggle in the spiritual realm over souls. If you are a part of our Wednesday night new believers class, you know that everything Jesus does to create disciples, Satan counters by trying to stop them from becoming disciples or diminishing their effectiveness through the enticement of sin and suffering.

But here’s the good news: Victory comes from our daily devotion to Christ. The power that works within us is only limited by our desire to sustain a relationship with God.

The Deception of Satan

I love this quote from J.I. Packer:

"Satan should be taken seriously, for malice and cunning make him fearsome; yet not so seriously as to provoke abject terror of him, for he is already a beaten enemy. Satan is stronger than we are, but Christ has triumphed over Satan and Christians will triumph over him too if they resist him with the resources that Christ supplies. The one who is in you is greater than the one in the world (1 John 4:4).”

Satan's biggest goal in war is to convince you that God cannot be trusted. He will use many tactics to achieve this, but this is his primary objective. We see God’s victory laid out in our greatest defeat. Last week, we discussed Adam and Eve. This week, I want to highlight:

"Took and Eat"

Christ’s body in exchange for a fruit. Both hung from a tree. The first thing we need to understand about Satan is that he comes in deception and lies. He had Eve’s mind so twisted she contorted three important parts of God’s word.

In the Garden, he came as a serpent. In each case, it's to distort what God is actually doing. His job is to get us self-focused because if we aren’t focused on ourselves, who will be?

Our Authority in Christ

The Greek word for authority is Exousia—the right to use power, take action, or issue commands, and to respond in obedience. The key to operating in the right authority is to acknowledge whose authority we are under. We also must be submitted to the authority over us. We can’t work in God’s authority and rebellion at the same time. We need to know our limits and the depth of our authority.

Walking in Victory

Victory is already guaranteed, but walking in it requires us to recognize and avoid the traps set by the enemy. By understanding spiritual warfare, we can navigate these challenges more effectively and maintain our focus on Christ. Stay tuned for more insights and practical tips in our ongoing series on spiritual warfare.