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The Battle

Have you ever wondered why life is so hard? Have you ever wished some of this could be easier? Most people have heard about the opening scenes in history. We’ve been told about the serpent, the fall, and the curse. But the reality is that the battle continues to rage. There is a battle all around us. There is a battle going on inside us. There is a battle happening between and among us. ...oh yeah, that’s why life is so hard. We are living the spiritual equivalent of ‘Saving Private Ryan.’

This is not an attempt to cover all that could be said about spiritual warfare (scroll down the page for further reading). Rather, these are some thoughts and scriptures for you to think about and take with you as you go. Read and ask God to help you see these things playing out. Ask God to help you find your place in the battle. Talk with your friends about these things and ask God to help you fight for each other.

There is an enemy “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” - 1 John 5.19 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” - Ephesians 6.12 Other key Scriptures: John 10.10, 1 John 3.8-10, Revelation 12.7-9
The enemy is set against the work of God

Takes away what God wants to do in your heart / Matthew 13.19

Deceives and accuses / Revelation 12.9

Holds people in bondage / Acts 10.38; 26.18

Tempts / 1 John 3.12; John 8.44; Acts 5.3; James 1.13-15

Inspires false teaching / 1 John 4.1-4; Revelation 2.24

Instills doubt and fear / Revelation 12.10

Throws flaming arrows at you / Ephesians 6.16

The enemy has been defeated “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”
- 1 John 3.8b Other key Scriptures: Hebrews 2.14-15, Revelation 2.10
The enemy is still in our midst: we have a role in the battle “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” - James 4.7-8 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” - 1 Peter 5.6-9

Questions for Reflection...

How much thought do you give to the reality of an enemy?
What is it you live under? What does your battle look like?
As you read through these Scriptures, which ones seem to jump off the page? Why those?
How does this reality that we are in a battle help bring clarity to your own story? How does this help you understand the things that are happening around you?
What would it look like for you to live more like you are in a spiritual battle?
What is God saying to you about the battle?

“Lord Jesus, we receive all that you have for us. We say yes to the cross and to your risen life. We invite you in to all the areas of our lives that we might know new life. And we resist the enemy. He has no hold over us now. Help us see the ways we are still seduced and held captive and set us free. Move through us that we may have victory in this battle. Amen.”

The Bondage Breaker

Neil T. Anderson
Find victory in the darkest places of your soul.

The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare

Ed Murphy

A fairly in-depth treatment of the subject.

Waking the Dead

John Eldredge

The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive