Spiritual Warfare: What it is and What can we do about it

What it is

In the book of Job, there's a profound exchange between God and Satan: "One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it." (Job 1:6-7).

Satan's response is telling: "From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it" (Job 1:7). This exchange provides a unique insight into the concept of spiritual warfare. What do you think Satan was doing on earth as he roamed?

In the realm of faith, we often speak of spiritual warfare, a term that might sound intimidating but holds profound significance in our spiritual journey. So what is spiritual warfare?

At its core, spiritual warfare is the battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, that takes place in the spiritual plane. It's not a physical battle but rather a clash of influences, values and powers that can impact our lives profoundly. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul, one of Jesus' disciples, writes "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."

Spiritual warfare involves recognizing that we are part of a grander narrative, one in which our choices, thoughts and actions have spiritual significance. Satan is constantly on the prowl. His mission? to disrupt, distract, confuse and hinder our journey towards God. Satan's primary goal is to keep us away from developing a deep, meaningful relationship with our Creator, to shield us from experiencing God's glory, and ultimately, to hinder our path to eternal life in heaven.

Satan's subtle influence

One aspect of spiritual warfare that often goes unnoticed is how Satan subtly influences our lives on Earth. Satan's tactics are rarely grandiose; he works subtly. He knows that by nudging us off-course, even slightly, he can have a significant impact. He thrives on confusion, misdirection and the art of making the wrong choices appear enticing. He sows doubt and confusion to keep us from hearing God's voice clearly.

This planet, in a sense, is Satan's domain, and he uses various methods to keep us distracted from God. Consider, for instance, the prevalence of capitalism—a system that often prioritizes the pursuit of wealth and material success above all else. It's a system that, at times, brings suffering and inequality. Perhaps it's because it keeps our focus on earthly pursuits such as money, possessions and status, rather than on God. Satan revels in such distractions and divisions.

Why does God allow it to happen?

While the answer isn't entirely clear to me right now, it likely revolves around the concept of free will. God grants us the freedom to choose our paths, even when those paths involve spiritual battles. It's through these trials and tribulations that we are shaped into the beings God intended us to be. As Jesus reminds us, "In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

What can we do about it

It's often the small, seemingly insignificant things that can have the most significant impact. Satan specializes in subtle tactics, aiming to divert our attention and hinder our connection with God. Here are some of the ways Satan works and what we can do to fight back:

• Recognize the subtlety. Satan's strategy involves creating distractions, doubt and confusion in the minutiae of our lives. It could be the decision not to pray when we intended to, succumbing to the lure of social media or even feeling sleepy during prayer. These may seem like minor instances but they can collectively weaken our spiritual resolve.

• Stay alert and prayerful. To counteract these subtle tactics, we must remain vigilant. We must approach every decision, every moment, as a potential battlefield in this ongoing spiritual war. Prayer is our most potent weapon. Make it a daily habit, not just when you feel like it, but as a constant line of communication with God. Pray for protection, wisdom and strength. Pray like Jesus taught us in Matthew 6: 9-13.

• Choose grace over annoyance. When faced with situations that would typically trigger annoyance or frustration, choose grace instead. Satan loves to sow discord among family members and friends. By showing patience and understanding, we disarm his tactics and strengthen our relationships.

• Spiritual armor. "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:11. The passage describes the "armor of God," which includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, prayer and the word of God. Put on this spiritual armor daily to protect yourself from the schemes of Satan. (Ephesians 6:14-18).

• Stay rooted in scripture. The Bible is your guide and source of spiritual nourishment. Dive into its verses, seek understanding and apply its teachings to your life. Scripture provides the wisdom and clarity needed to discern God's will from the subtle deceptions of Satan.

• Embrace the power of uplifting Christian music. One effective way to combat Satan's subtle influences is by immersing yourself in Christian music that touches your soul. Replace the usual radio hits with songs that speak to your faith and resonate with your beliefs. Let the harmonious melodies and inspiring lyrics uplift your spirit as you go about your day, providing a soundtrack to your spiritual journey.

• Remember the prize. Always keep your eyes on the ultimate prize - eternal life with God in heaven. In moments of temptation and doubt, remind yourself of the incredible reward that awaits you - endure and remain faithful.

• Fight back for goodness sake. In this ongoing spiritual battle, even when it seems daunting, remember that you are a child of God. Don't let Satan win, at the very least, make it hard for him to win. Fight back! stand firm, hold on to your faith and let your unwavering trust in God be your shield in this ongoing battle of spiritual warfare.

In the end, goodness will always prevail, but the journey is a battle. Spiritual warfare is the unseen struggle between light and darkness that takes place in the spiritual plane and it plays out in our lives everyday. Above all, remember eternal life with your creator, is the end goal. In this ongoing battle, stand firm, fight back and hold on to your faith. You are a child of God.

Biblical references are from the New International Version (NIV).