Spiritual Warfare

QUESTION: Why does God allow spiritual warfare?

ANSWER:

Spiritual warfare is described in Ephesians 6:12: "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." Romans 7:23 explains that spiritual warfare is in the battlefield of our minds: "But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." Satan wages war within in our mind - planting seeds of doubt, fear, insecurities, worries, suspicions, and other anxieties.

God's Word tells us repeatedly to be strong (1 Kings 2:2, Isaiah 35:4, Haggai 2:4), to walk forward in faith, and trust God for His help. When we do this, He promises to be with us in the battle and help us overcome, no matter what situation we are facing. God is asking, "Will you believe My Word?"

1 Timothy 6:12 says that faith is essential in spiritual warfare: "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." We must prove that God has preeminence in our lives. 2 Chronicles 16:9 reiterates: "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."

God gives man free will. He wants man to love Him and desire to serve Him because of who He is, not because of what He does. Satan accused God of allowing this in His servants in the book of Job 1:9-11: "'Does Job fear God for nothing?' Satan replied. 'Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.'" Satan desires to prove to God that man will not remain loyal to Him. God, on the other hand, does trust in the faith of His followers. Satan needs God's permission to touch one of God's children. Job 2:6 says, "The LORD said to Satan, 'Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.'"

God gives permission because He desires to prove we can remain faithful. Job 2:3 reads: "Then the LORD said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.'"

In Christ, we can overcome spiritual warfare! By overcoming Satan in the battlefield of our mind, God provides us with spiritual armor, divine protection, and weapons to fight with. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Just as the Bible tells us repeatedly to be strong, it promises us that when we do overcome the enemy, there is great reward. 1 John 5:4-5 says, "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."