Spiritual Warfare

The important questions discussed here are:-

- Is there a real entity named Satan who, along with an army of fallen angels, is waging spiritual warfare against children of God?

- If, yes, then why? - What are Satan's motives and objectives?

- How does Satan attack a child of God? (What are his strategies?)

- Why does God allow Satan to create havoc in people's life? What is God's response to Satan and the spiritual warfare he wages against people?

- What can a child of God do to combat attacks from Satan?

- Are you scared??




Scriptural support for Satan's existence and the spiritual warfare he wages

Who is Satan and who are in his army?

Satan was previously Lucifer - a highly privileged angel. Lucifer was perhaps the wisest and the most beautiful of God’s creation (Ezekiel 28:12). Despite his highly unusual and privileged position, Satan was not satisfied (sounds familiar?!) and rebelled against God in the attempt to become like God (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:2-9). He is the first (or one of the first) sinner(s) - 1 John 3:8. As a result he was banished from the heaven. Satan also led a third of angels to rebel against God (Revelation 12:3-4). They now form an army of demons under Satan, whose aim is to compete with God and thwart His missions in very destructive ways (book of Job, 2 Corinthians 4:4, John 10:10, 1 Peter 5:8). In response, the just God created hell for Satan and his army of fallen angels (Matthew 25:41).

So where is Satan now and what he is up-to these days?

Satan and his fellow demons are not in hell yet, but God has allowed them to be around for a while and have very significant influence on people's life - but all under God's full control (book of Job), all ironically serving God's holy and good purposes.

Satan was the one who led to mankind’s fall (quite an influence) from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:2). Satan and his fellow fallen-angels try to intensely interfere with God's works (i.e., how a fallen angel tried to prevent the messenger of God from reaching to Daniel on earth, from heaven, - Daniel 10). Satan roams the earth (Job 1:7, 1 Peter 5:8). He has been leading the whole world astray (Revelation 12:9). 1 Peter 5:8 says about him -"the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour".  In John 10:10, Jesus warns "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy". In Matthew 10:16, Jesus warns: "I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves".

Overall, Satan wants the entire human race to go to hell (along with him) instead of heaven. To those who are already sealed to go to heaven, he tries to bring upon great destruction and fear (book of Job), ultimately with the goal to make them ineffective in the Kingdom of God. Yes, even, people very close to God are not spared: (1) In Luke 22:31, Jesus apparently testifies that Satan was granted permission to “sift” Peter - a disciple very close to Jesus, (2) In the Book of Jobs, we learn Satan is allowed to “sift” Job (Job 1) - again someone very close to God.

Satan’s influence on earth is so big that Jesus referred to him as the "prince of the world" (John 14:30) and Apostle Paul referred to him as "ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" (Ephesians 2:2). Again, from the book of Job we learn that Satan can have a mind-boggling great influence on humans (but only as much as God allows him).

All these make Satan and his army of fallen angels / demons a tremendous source of suffering (http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/01/on-suffering.html) on earth.

Yet, at all times, God remains in full control of Satan.

Spiritual warfare is so prevalent that some joke that if everything is always going well with someone, then that person is at the side of Satan ;)"

Yes, there is lot going on behind the scenes, what we fail to see with our eyes. Remember, Elisha prayed for his servant:- 2 Kings 6:17: "O Lords, please open his eyes that he may see ...", and his servant saw huge army of angels nearby!

What is God's response to Satan and his spiritual warfare?

After Satan rebelled, God banished him from heaven, along with a third of fallen angels (Revelation 12:3-4). God also created hell for Satan and his army of fallen angels (Matthew 25:41). But, Satan and his fellow demons are not in hell yet, but God has allowed them to be around for a while and have very significant influence on people's life - but all under God's full control (book of Job), all ironically serving God's holy and good purposes.
Jesus said for His children: “no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28-30; Yes Jesus fights for His children), and He also prays for them (Luke 22:31-32). To those overwhelmed with troubles and hardships of life, He says:- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11-28-30). So, do not be afraid of Satan and be in peace! God is allowing evil and suffering to exist for a while - But He is also in full control and is actually using both for His holy purposes. The story of Job is one example of how God turns the table around on Satan and actually uses him for His holy purposes. (https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-satan-saves-the-soul)




One of the most important question is "How does the Devil / Satan attack God's children?"

Here are some of the ways from the Scriptures (some are very closely related):-

• Causes great obstruction in God's ongoing primary mission on earth - The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) - Preventing people from going to heaven and directing them to hell.
• Blinds non-Christians (2 Corinthians 4:4; Matthew 13:25: "while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.")
• Make Christians less effective (i.e., via the means listed here) towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission. That is, a Christian can expect significant opposition, when he / she is doing something towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission. In-fact, the Book Of Jobs, indicates that Satan wants to destroy such a Christian, physically and spiritually. If a Christian is not doing anything towards fulfilling the Great Commission, then opposition from Satan or his fellow demon is usually not expected. 
• Brings upon persecution on Christians and Church (Yes, the devil wants to destroy you spiritually and physically - book of Job)
• In Luke 22:21, Jesus himself testifies of upcoming persecution on Peter. In, book of Job, we see intense persecution upon Job from Satan. Jesus also testifies in John 8:44 that he is the murderer from the beginning.  Ephesians 6:16 says Satan and co-workers throw "flaming arrows" at believers. 1 Peter 5:8 says Satan and his co-workers look to devour upon believers like lions. In John 10:10, Jesus also testifies about them - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy". In Revelation 2:10, Jesus warns " ... the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days ... "
• Causes divisions in Church
• i.e., the story of Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11
• Sows discouragements, doubts, lies, deceptions, distractions 
• Satan filled Job's life with series of extremely discouraging events. Peter was quite discouraged into denying Jesus three times (Luke 22:21, Luke 22:54-62).
• Distorts God's Word (Genesis 3:1)
• In Matthew 4:1-11 (verse 6), we how Satan tries to distort the Word of God to tempt Jesus.
• Plants doubts (Genesis 3:1)
• Jesus testifies in John 8:44 that he is the "Father of Lies"
• Deceives people into thinking that they can be like God (Genesis 3:1-5)
• Fills the earth with distractions (2 Corinthians 4:4:- "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God"). In Matthew 4:1-11, we see how Satan tried to distract Jesus, from remaining focused on His mission, with "the wealth and the glory of this world".
• Tempts people to sin 
• Tempts people into rebel against God (Genesis 3)
• In Matthew 4:1-11, we see how Satan tempted Jesus, with the wealth and the glory of this world, to follow him instead of God: " ... Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, - 'All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me' ..." (sounds familiar?!)
• (Yes, Satan tries to collude with your flesh)
• In general, negatively influence and use people against people, via lies, etc
• i.e., the story of Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11
• Tries to counterfeit God
• 2 Corinthians 11:13-15:- "Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light". 
• Satan also does signs and wonders - 2 Thessalonians 2:9: "The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders"; 
• In Matthew 4:9, we see he wants people to submit and worship him, instead of God.
• Contributes to sicknesses, diseases, destruction
• In Luke 13:10-17, we see Jesus heal a woman whom "whom Satan bound for eighteen years". In Acts 10:38, we see Peter "healing all who were oppressed by the devil". In the book of Job, we see Satan inflicting great physical destruction. In John 10:10, Jesus warns "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy".
• Acts as a Great Accuser
• Revelation 12:10: " ... for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God."

But also, please do not attribute every other "negative" situation (including sickness, persecution, etc) to Satan and his fellow demons! And again, even though all this may seem quite scary, do not be afraid of them either, as good God is always in full control. But do not take them lightly either.




Finally, how does a child of God fight back attacks from devil?

• First of all, even though all this "spiritual warfare" may sound very scary, a Christian should not and need not be scared of Satan and his army of fallen-angel, also knowing that God is the One who has allowed them to wage spiritual warfare on people. And, God remains in full control, at all times not Satan or his fellow fallen-angel. A Christian only needs to focus on following God, with peace (John 14:27), and let God take care of rest.
• Know your enemy well, from Scriptures, to fight back well. This includes trying to sense in what areas you might be attacked. This is one main reason why this article is being written.
• Always remember God's part in this fight (see Section above titled "What is God's response ... ").
• Ephesians 6:10-20 answers how a child of God should respond/resist/fight Satan and his army, in great depth - "(10) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (14) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (16) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (17) and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (18) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints ..."
• v10-11: Deeply draw from God's strength and whole hardheartedly follow Him ("Put on the whole armor of God")
• v14:
• Talking of fastening with the "belt of truth", always remember Jesus is the truth (John 14:16) that holds all things together (Colossians 1:17), including us
• Righteousness of Christ imputed into us is our impenetrable protection (John 10:28). Also if one is not pursuing holiness, one is giving Satan foothold into one's life (i.e., Ephesians 4:27).
• In a powerful example, we see how Jesus just used the Word of God (i.e., sword of Spirit as per Ephesians 6:17) to counter the temptations and lies of Satan in the dessert (Matthew 4:1-11). Also, there Satan tried to actually use the Word of God (verse 6) to tempt Jesus.
• Praying is powerful and essential, as suggested by Ephesians 6:18
• Be ready and alert. Soldiers train, especially with fellow-soldiers, a lot throughout their career.
• Resist / Fight as a team - be always connected with Church
• Scriptures often portrays a believer as a sheep. A sheep is quite vulnerable to predators. Hence, they tend to flock together for protection. And, also variety of necessary mechanisms are employed to guard a sheep flock against predatory attacks. Likewise, a believer is quite vulnerable to attacks of Satan and his army when not connected to a Church body. Also, here a sheep is called to be like a battle-ready soldier. And, soldiers are not anyways meant to fight alone (To fight an army, a soldier is better off being part of a large strong army - aka "one unified Church"). This could be one of the reasons Jesus prayed that the believers be "one" (John 17:20-23) before he was led to the cross.
• For instance, we need to look out for each other and pray for each other in this battle - Ephesians 6:18