What are the physical symptoms of spiritual warfare? How do you know you're under spiritual attack? The Bible has all the answers and plenty of examples of losing and winning the battles.

The works of the devil enslave human beings to act as his emissaries who in turn permeate families, churches, communities, nations, and the entire world system.

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Scripture References
  • I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:21-23 NKJV)
  • Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:4-10 NKJV)
  • The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:12-14 NKJV)
  • And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. (Ephesians 5:11-12 NKJV)
  • Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV)
  • And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32 NKJV)
  • Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. (Romans 2:1 NKJV)
  • ...who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (Ephesians 2:1-3 NKJV)
  • Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV)
Commentary: The works of the devil
  • Satan has never won a battle fought strictly within the spiritual realm. His reign over the world system is dependent upon the weakness of human nature, the power of sin and fear of death.
  • If he is allowed to reign unopposed, the resulting chaos, destruction, and oppression forms a self-imposed impenetrable barrier to communing with God, destroys any sense of family and community, and isolates us to solitary damnation.
  • Satan is ultimately responsible for every death there ever was upon the face of the earth.
  • If you participate in his works, you share a portion of that responsibility. Like stories of child abuse, the victim becomes the perpetrator.

The Bible teaches us about the existence of spiritual battles that impact humanity. These battles involve forces of good and evil, and they have profound effects on individuals, families, communities, nations, and society as a whole. This article explores the concept of spiritual warfare as presented in the Bible, with a focus on the works of the devil, darkness, and the flesh.

  1. The Struggle Within - The Law of Sin and the Law of God: The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, describes a conflict within himself between the law of sin and the law of God. He recognizes that evil is present and wages war against his desire to do good (Romans 7:21-23). This struggle highlights the fallen nature of humanity and the internal battle between our sinful inclinations and the righteousness of God.
  2. The Works of the Devil and the Children of God: The first epistle of John presents a clear distinction between those who practice righteousness and those who engage in sin. John warns against deception and emphasizes that those who continue in sin do not know God, as sin is of the devil (1 John 3:4-10). The purpose of Christ's manifestation was to destroy the works of the devil, drawing a line between the children of God and the children of the devil. Those who are born of God, with His seed dwelling in them, cannot continue in a lifestyle of sin (1 John 3:9).
  3. Casting off the Works of Darkness - The Armor of Light: Paul encourages believers in Romans 13:12-14 to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. This metaphorical armor represents the righteousness and protection found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Believers are called to walk properly, avoiding sinful behaviors and instead imitating the character of Christ.
  4. Exposing and Avoiding Works of Darkness: In Ephesians 5:11-12, Paul exhorts Christians to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them. This verse emphasizes the need to live lives of integrity and to reject participation in activities contrary to God's standards. Believers are called to be a light in the world, shining truth and righteousness into the darkness.
  5. The Evident Works of the Flesh and the Kingdom of God: In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul presents a list of works of the flesh, highlighting behaviors that are contrary to God's Kingdom. These include sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, envy, drunkenness, and more. Paul warns that those who practice such behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God. This passage emphasizes the need for repentance and transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit.
  6. The Debased Mind and Its Consequences: Romans 1:28-32 vividly portrays the consequences of a debased mind and a rejection of God's truth. As humanity turned away from God, they were given over to unrighteousness and filled with various forms of wickedness. This passage highlights the downward spiral of a society that disregards the moral standards established by God.
  7. The Danger of Hypocrisy and Self-Judgment: In Romans 2:1, Paul warns against hypocrisy and self-judgment. Those who judge others while practicing the same sinful behaviors condemn themselves. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of humility, self-reflection, and seeking personal transformation rather than focusing solely on the faults of others.
  8. Sons of Disobedience and the Transforming Power of Christ: Ephesians 2:1-3 paints a sobering picture of humanity's condition before coming to faith in Christ. We were dead in our trespasses and sins, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who works in the sons of disobedience. However, through the sanctifying work of Christ, we can be redeemed and made alive in Him.
  9. Transformation and Salvation through Christ: In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul reminds the Corinthians of their former state of sin and unrighteousness. However, by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, they were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This passage showcases the transformative power of Christ's salvation and emphasizes the need for believers to live in alignment with God's principles.

The effects of spiritual battles upon humanity are profound and far-reaching, impacting individuals, communities, and society as a whole. These battles are not merely abstract concepts or philosophical ideas; they manifest themselves in the choices we make, the behaviors we engage in, and the overall state of our hearts and minds.

The Bible clearly presents the existence of a spiritual realm where forces of good and evil are engaged in an ongoing battle. The works of the devil, darkness, and the flesh are intricately connected to this spiritual warfare. The devil, identified as the enemy of God and humanity, seeks to undermine God's purposes, distort truth, and lead people away from righteousness.

Darkness symbolizes the realm of ignorance, deception, and evil. It encompasses the sinful and ungodly actions, thoughts, and attitudes that separate individuals from the light of God's truth. The works of darkness can be both visible and hidden, but they ultimately lead to brokenness, pain, and spiritual death.

The flesh represents our human nature, with its inherent inclination towards selfish desires, pride, and rebellion against God. It is characterized by a pursuit of self-gratification, often at the expense of others and the disregard of God's moral standards. The works of the flesh, as outlined in the Bible, reveal the destructive consequences of yielding to the desires of our fallen nature.

Understanding these spiritual battles is crucial for believers. It begins with recognizing the internal struggle between sin and righteousness within ourselves. The apostle Paul's candid admission in Romans 7:21-23 resonates with every Christian who has experienced the tension between their desire to do good and the persistent presence of sinful inclinations. This battle reminds us of the fallen state of humanity and the need for divine intervention and transformation.

Moreover, the Scriptures warn against self-deception and emphasize the importance of discerning the true nature of our actions and the forces at work within us. John's epistle draws a clear distinction between those who practice righteousness and those who persist in sin. It highlights that those who continue in sin have not truly encountered the transforming power of Christ, for the seed of God remains in those who are born of Him (1 John 3:9).

However, the message of the Bible is not solely focused on the existence of spiritual battles and the works of darkness; it offers hope and victory through Jesus Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ conquered the power of sin, darkness, and the devil. He came to destroy the works of the devil and to set humanity free from the bondage of sin (1 John 3:8).

By embracing a relationship with Jesus Christ, believers can experience the transformative power of His salvation. This relationship empowers them to cast off the works of darkness, put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12), and walk in the righteousness and truth of Christ. It enables them to expose the works of darkness, both in their own lives and in society, and to be agents of change and redemption.

Engaging in spiritual warfare involves a constant pursuit of righteousness, a reliance on the Holy Spirit, and a willingness to submit to God's transformative work in our lives. It requires us to be vigilant, discerning, and intentional in our choices, thoughts, and actions. By aligning ourselves with God's truth, living in obedience to His commandments, and allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our minds and transform our hearts, we can overcome the effects of evil and experience the victorious life offered through Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, the effects of spiritual battles upon humanity are not to be underestimated. They impact our lives in profound ways, shaping our character, relationships, and society as a whole. The Bible presents a clear understanding of these battles and provides guidance and hope for believers. By recognizing the works of the devil, darkness, and the flesh, and by embracing the transformative power of Christ, we can overcome the effects of evil, walk in righteousness, and be agents of God's redemptive work in the world. Spiritual warfare is not a passive endeavor; it requires active participation, steadfast faith, and a reliance on God's strength and guidance. As we engage in this ongoing battle, may we be encouraged by the promises of Scripture and the assurance of victory in Christ.

Next: Rebellion, Anarchy, Violence, Wickedness