Christ’s death on the cross rendered a definitive judgment against both Satan and the sin nature. Satan’s condemnation is settled, though the execution of that sentence awaits his future confinement and final destruction. Likewise, the sin nature was judicially crucified with Christ, nullifying its authority even though its presence and impulses continue within every believer. God has created a new nature that delights in Him, and the Christian life unfolds amid the ongoing conflict between flesh and Spirit. Victory comes through learning and applying God’s Word, walking by faith, and living under the Spirit’s empowering ministry.
Tag: spiritual warfare
Spiritual Attacks in the Natural Realm
Spiritual warfare is part of the Christian experience. While the battle is spiritual in origin, it often spills over into the visible and natural world. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our true enemies are not “flesh and blood” but “the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). Yet these dark forces often influence the natural realm—through physical illness, mental anguish, relational conflict, temptation, and even death. As believers, we must learn to detect these attacks and respond biblically, not mystically or fearfully, but with confidence in the victory already secured in Christ (Col 2:15).
Resist the Devil
The Apostle Peter, writing to Christians, said, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” (1 Pet 5:8-9). In these verses, Peter issues a dual command to believers, urging them to stay alert to the reality of spiritual warfare and to resist the devil by standing firm in God’s truth and walking by faith. Peter opens with the imperative to “be of sober spirit, be on the alert” (1 Pet 5:8a). This call to spiritual watchfulness reflects the necessity of maintaining a clear, undistracted mental focus in the Christian life. The word “sober” (nēphō) suggests the need to think with clarity and self-discipline, free from the influence of emotional subjectivity or worldly distractions.
A Good Soldier of Christ
Every Christian is called into ministry. The moment we believe in Christ for salvation, we are enlisted into God’s service, assigned a spiritual gift, expected to learn and live God’s Word, and given a mission. The question is not whether we will serve, but whether we will execute our assigned roles effectively. Paul makes it clear that the Christian life is not passive—it is an active engagement in spiritual warfare. Each of us, whether as pastors, teachers, evangelists, or faithful servants in the local church, has a function within the body of Christ. To neglect that function is dereliction of duty. As Christian soldiers, we must train, prepare, and engage in the spiritual battle, recognizing that our objective is to glorify God through the effective use of our spiritual gifts.
Satan’s Propaganda Machine
Satan is a despicable genius who has created a world system which is the ultimate propaganda machine, a vast and sophisticated network of deception designed to enslave the minds of men. As the “god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4), he orchestrates a relentless information war (through various channels), saturating receptive human minds with lies that distort reality, obscure the truth, and keep unbelievers locked in spiritual blindness. His lies permeate every facet of human existence—religious, academic, political, economic, social, recreational, and cultural—conditioning mankind to embrace falsehood as reality.
Jesus’ Return with His Saints
When Jesus returns to the earth after the time of the seven year Tribulation, He will establish His kingdom on earth. This is a time when humanity will be saved from the tyranny of Satan who currently rules over the earth. At His Second Coming, it is written, “And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses” (Rev 19:14).
Two Fathers, Two Kingdoms: Understanding Spiritual Identity in a Divided World
Everyone we meet has two fathers. Everyone. They have a biological father and a spiritual father. Biblically, their spiritual father is either God or Satan. The Pharisees incorrectly thought they were children of God, and said to Jesus, “The only Father we have is God himself” (John 8:41). Here’s an example were perception was not equal to reality. Jesus refuted them, saying, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world” (John 8:23), and “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father” (John 8:44a). According to William Hendriksen, “Identity of inner passions and desires establishes spiritual descent: they are constantly desiring to carry out the wishes of the devil; so he must be their father. The devil desires to kill and to lie, and so do they.”[2] We live in a divided world where “the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one” (Matt 13:38; cf., 1 John 3:10).
Trusting God’s Provision: Resting in His Promises
As Christians, we can depend on the Lord to provide for our daily needs. Abraham knew this to be true and said of Yahweh, “The LORD Will Provide” (Gen 22:14). And Paul wrote, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed” (2 Cor 9:8), and “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19).
Walking Worthy of God’s Call to Service
As God's people, we are called into service to the King, to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Eph 4:1). Paul uses similar language when writing to Christians in Thessalonica, saying, “walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Th 2:12). We are called to a mission, and our mission field is wherever we happen to be and includes whoever we happen to meet. To fulfill our divine objective requires submission, humility, commitment, biblical education, field training, and advancement testing. We reach the spiritual high-ground by operating by faith as God’s Word saturates our thinking and directs our speech and behavior.
The Armor of God
In his letter to the church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul set forth the Christian armor which, in many ways, is a picture of the healthy Christian life. It is something we intentionally put on and use to defend ourselves when we come under attack. The assaults ultimately come from Satan who has well developed strategies of warfare and demonic soldiers to command. Satan and his fallen angels knowingly and intentionally attack. They are behind every act of terror the world has ever known, they do not relent of their activities, and they are not reformable. In addition to these fallen angels, Satan also has useful idiots—unbelievers and carnal Christians—who assist him in his efforts. These people help make up Satan’s world-system that seeks to envelop and enslave everyone it can. Satan’s system is philosophical, social, political, economic, religious, and cultural. These are all things external to us, but which are intended to penetrate our thoughts and impact our values, speech and practices. Furthermore, Satan has an inside agent within every person, which is the sinful nature which naturally resonates with all that is sinful and prideful.
Demons and How They Influence Mankind
Angels are basically classified as either righteous or evil. The former retain their holy state and service to God and are called elect angels (1 Tim 5:21), whereas the latter have defected from their original state and continue in constant rebellion against God. Satan is the leader of all fallen angels (Matt 25:41; cf. Rev 12:7, 9), which Scripture designates as evil spirits (1 Sam 16:14; Luke 7:21), demons (Matt 8:31), and unclean spirits (Mark 5:1-4). These have been operating for millennia trying to frustrate the purposes of God.