In American evangelical Christianity, few terms are more over-used and ill-defined than “spiritual warfare.” (Okay, “prophetic” comes in a close second.) To some, spiritual warfare is a rousing worship service with a great praise band. NOT. To others it is a stem-winding sermon full of punctuated cliques and hearty “Amens.” NOT. To others spiritual warfare is so-called soaking prayer designed to wishfully send the devil away. NOT. Now, there’s nothing wrong with any of this, but let’s not confuse well-intentioned efforts with decisive battles against the Kingdom of Evil.
The words of St. Jerome, the fourth century Christian priest who first translated the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate) are worth considering. Jerome was known for his no-nonsense approach to living out the Christian life during difficult circumstances, which in his day meant being faithful to the Lord in the midst of the pagan Roman Empire. During intense and life-threatening times of persecution against believers, Jerome wrote, “Which is best, to fight for a short time, to carry stakes for the stockade, to bear arms, and faint under heavy battles in order to rejoice as victors forever, or to become slaves forever because we can’t endure a single hour?”
Now that’s real spiritual warfare. A fight against entrenched evil that cares not the personal price to be paid in the struggle. More specific, REAL spiritual warfare is confronting the demons of hell with wisdom, boldness, and uncompromising aggressiveness, fighting to free those bound by evil. REAL spiritual warfare is staring down the devil in open combat, giving no ground, and commanding that all the nefarious assignments of hell be canceled and that every evil spirit relinquish every claimed right to those tormented without cause. And finally, REAL spiritual warfare is commanding demons to flee in the name of Jesus!
NOTE: Learn how to become a REAL spiritual warrior by enrolling today in our International School of Exorcism®. To enroll, CLICK HERE.
An encouraging word: GOD IS LONGSUFFERING
It is sad, unbiblical, and unfair that God should be portrayed by unbelievers as a vengeful deity who, if He did exist, is certainly uncaring about his creation. Second Peter 3:9 tells us differently, that the Lord is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish.” That promise is for you and those you love. God doesn’t want anyone in hell. He desires that every person come to Him for forgiveness and salvation. But the Almighty will not force that decision by divine fiat. He is “longsuffering.” God is patient and enduring in His plea for all to come to Him. When you may doubt the Lord’s kindness, remember that His love endures all our weaknesses and failures so that we might not perish eternally.
Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18). You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online.
