Within the evangelical churches, there are two tendencies regarding spiritual warfare, both of which are untrue.
A. A born-again believer cannot have any problems with demon activity. This is refuted by several scriptures most notably by
1Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
This warning is written to Christians as is Paul's warning to put on defensive armor in Ephesians 6:10-18

B. When Christians come into an awareness of the spiritual reality in which we live, too many instances are attributed to "the enemy" rather than natural causes, a classical post hoc fallacy

Before Christians begin to attribute more to the enemy than is his due, I exhort you to read and reflect on the Word of God in James 1:14-15
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

Notice that our problem is temptation of our own lusts (our sin nature) and the enticer is simply the external agent. The root cause of problems facing Christians is to put off the old sin nature, to "crucify" it, not with the enticer. If the "enticer" is compulsive with a stronghold over the believer, then the ministry of deliverance is necessary. A good focus on the Scriptures and a proper balance is needed in the life of each believer so that we are not assigning to the enemy that which is not his due. Getting and keeping this proper balance is sometimes difficult.

Consider Jesus' command to his disciples: "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. "(Matt 10:1)
When the disciples returned, they were exhilarated with their power over the enemy in Jesus' Name. Our Lord Jesus puts them in right balance with these words: " And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."
We are well-advised to follow all of Jesus' Words in our lives, especially in the area of spiritual warfare

Spiritual Warfare - Scriptures
Believer's Position "In Christ"
Faith Statement

RETURN TO WAR INDEX

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JESUS-IS-LORD Ministries of Monroe, Inc.
March 1, 2000