WINNING IN SPIRITUAL WARARE
We learn from the Bible that we are involved in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). The war involves our belief about and relationship with Jesus Christ, who died for our sins (John 3:16). The biblical Word of God exposes our invisible enemies, and tells us how to defeat them with the power of the Holy Spirit, who we receive when we repent and believe in Jesus as our Savior and Lord (Acts 2:38).
SEEING AND FIGHTING OUR ENEMIIES
EPHESIANS 6:12 describes our invisible combatants: 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 (NIV).
2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 stresses the fact that though we live in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For our weapons of warfare are not weapons of the world. But we have the power of the Spirit of God to demolish every stronghold on our minds. And the ability to defeat all false reasoning against the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Word of God.
EPHESIANS 6:13-18 advises us how we should be fully prepared to fight our spiritual enemies: We are instructed to believe in and have the protection of the saving blood or our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Arm ourselves with righteousness and truth. Be ready with the Word of God and the gospel of peace. Have faith that can shield you against enemy attacks. And be sure to pray in the Spirit on all occasions.
FIGHTING INCREASINGLY DECEPTIVE ENEMIES
The Apostle Paul informs us that in the last days, perilous time will exist (2 Timothy 3:1-5): In the last days the battle will intensify and become more deceptive. Many shall depart from the true gospel “and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). They will have “a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Tim. 3:5).
The apostle Peter affirms what Paul said about the perilous last days. Peter says there will be false teachers among you who will secretly introduce false and destructive doctrines. He says they will even deny the Lord Jesus Christ who bought them with his sacrificial blood. (2 Peter 2:1).
ABLITY TO DISCERN AND DEFEAT OUR SPIRITUAL ENEMIES
Today, when we look through the night-vision glasses of God’s Word, we can discern the powers of darkness at war with the people of God. We can see these evil and deceptive forces energetically working through people like those of the New Age/Spirituality movement. The Word of God discerns spirits, thoughts and intents (Hebrews 4:12).
Many New Age/Spirituality movement adherents do not believe and teach–as the Scripture does–that Jesus is the only way to God the Father and heaven. Some teach that there are other ways than Jesus. (John 14:6).
Many of them deny or minimize what the Bible says about Jesus being the only begotten Son of God, who came in the flesh, shed his blood and died for the sins of those who repent and believe in his atoning sacrifice. These may be seen as having the spirit of or likeness of “the spirit of the Antichrist” spoken of by the apostle John in his writings–a spirit which denies that Jesus Christ came and died in the flesh to save sinners (1 John 4:2-3, 9-10; John 3:16-18).
There are New Agers who deny the existence of sin or the need for repentance from sin as the Bible teaches (Romans 3:23; Romans 1:18-32; Luke 13:3). By misleading people, they cause many to sin. In causing them to sin without repenting and turning to Jesus, they can cause them to be eternally separated from God. (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23; John 8:21).
The biblical Word of God says, test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. The Word of God is able to “discern”
Spirits (Hebrews 4:12)
ASSURANCE OF OUR WINNING
The Lord said: we win “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6). As born-again and Spirit-filled believers in Jesus Christ, “demons are subject to us” (Luke 10:17; Acts 19:11).
The Lord said, we should not rejoice that evil spirits submit to us in his name. But should rejoice because our “names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20). And because ,he has in store “the crown of righteousness” for all who love and obey him, and long for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
