The preachers quoted here describe spiritual warfare as the conflict every Christian is called into, fought not against people but against spiritual powers. They warn that it is not a matter of speaking out what you want and expecting God to honour it.
The phrase comes from Paul. "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).1 "Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
The enemy is personal. "Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith" (1 Peter 5:8-9). Paul speaks of his "wiles" (Ephesians 6:11). Older writers spoke of three enemies working together: the world, the flesh and the devil (Ephesians 2:2-3).
The Christian does not fight for a victory still in doubt. At the cross Christ "spoiled principalities and powers" and "made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15). He came "that he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). The believer stands in what has been won.
The weapons are listed in Ephesians 6:13-18: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word of God, and prayer. Jesus met each temptation in the wilderness with "It is written" (Matthew 4:1-11). The instruction is simple: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
The classic exposition is William Gurnall's, who wrote, "The Christian's life is a continual wrestling."2 In recent decades some have taught the identifying and binding of spirits over cities and regions; others question how far Scripture supports this.
In the New Testament, spiritual warfare is mostly ordinary faithfulness under pressure: resisting temptation, holding to the truth, praying, and preaching the gospel, in dependence on Christ who has already overcome.
- Strong's Greek 3823, pálē: "another form for G906 (βάλλω)); wrestling".
- William Gurnall, Writings of William Gurnall, "The Nature of the War, and Character of the Assailants".
In their own words
Each line below is quoted exactly from a sermon on this site. Follow the link to hear or read it where it was said.
Spiritual warfare is against principalities, authorities, and universal Lord of this darkness, and the spiritual power of wickedness in the air.
Stephen Kaung
in Spiritual Warfare: Questions and Answers
Listen at 7:08
Spiritual warfare is the call for every disciple and every Christian.
George Verwer
in Spiritual Warfare and Prayer (Mcmaster University)
Listen at 17:52
We are in a battle against principalities and powers.
Jim Cymbala
in Spiritual Warfare Series - Fighting With Joy
Listen at 0:25
Spiritual warfare is not going around and confessing with your mouth what you want and then expecting God to honor your wishes.
Phil Beach Jr.
in Spiritual Warfare - Part 1
Listen at 4:40
What Scripture says
- Ephesians 6:12 we wrestle not against flesh and blood
- 2 Corinthians 10:4 the weapons of our warfare are not carnal
- James 4:7 submit to God; resist the devil, and he will flee
- 1 Peter 5:8-9 your adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion
- Colossians 2:15 Christ triumphed over principalities and powers
How this page is made: the quotes are taken word for word from sermons on SermonIndex and checked against them by program before the page is published. The transcripts of audio and video sermons are machine-made, so follow the link to hear the words as they were spoken. The answer above the quotes is an overview with its sources listed; it is not a statement of doctrine by SermonIndex.