Satan's strongholds are spiritual in nature. These are overcome only by grace of God granting new life through faith in Jesus Christ by the preaching of the word of God. Even with the Holy Spirit living within a Christian, the enemy attempts to influence the spirit of man by acting upon his physical enviroment and through his mortal body.

The Bible's teachings on spiritual battles, the devil's strongholds, and the consequences of his works upon humanity provide a profound understanding of the human spirit's struggle and ultimate destiny. These passages emphasize the importance of spiritual discernment, the pervasive impact of sin, and the necessity of personal redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. They also serve as a reminder of the eternal judgment that awaits all individuals and the significance of choosing the path of righteousness. As believers, we are called to engage in this spiritual warfare, standing firm in our faith and sharing the message of God's love and salvation with a world in need of redemption.

Next: Blindness, Pride, Faithlessness

Scripture References
  • ...the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV)
  • ...through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned... (Romans 5:12 NKJV)
  • ...it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment... (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV)
  • "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." (John 3:16-21 NKJV)
  • "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." (John 5:24-29 NKJV)
  • "He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels...'" (Matthew 25:41 NKJV)
  • The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:10-15 NKJV)
  • These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power... (2 Thessalonians 1:9 NKJV)
Commentary: The devil's strongholds.
  • Satan does not fully achieve victory in any battle, until a mortal body lays decaying in a grave, and the soul that animated that body is eternally separated from Father God in the lake of unquenchable fire.
  • Man's fallen nature, separated from his Creator by the sin of Adam, is fashioned in the image of Satan. That is why Jesus taught that all must be "born again"... made a new creature by a work from God.
  • Like skilled counterfeiters of money, the devil and his children have coined many persuasive substitutions for a real life. To our shame, they can outwardly appear more credible than many who claim to be "born again". But like money with no value, the devil's substitutions are eternally bankrupt.
  • Christians still must face the remnants of the fallen nature, that is the "flesh", even after being spiritually reborn.
  • Because of this, the spiritual war is not just between opposing forces in the heavens, or just between "us" vs. "them" upon the earth, but also within ourselves... the Holy Spirit versus our carnal flesh. If we let the flesh win on any given day, our "spirit" looks and feels more like the devil than like our Lord Jesus.
  • Despite his protests to the contrary, and favorable reflection in comparison to fellow humans, man is accountable to God for his deeds and his choices. The most important choice is this: "What shall I believe about Jesus Christ?". The choice has eternal consequence.

In Christian scriptures, the concept of spiritual warfare acknowledges the existence of a battle between the forces of good and evil. This battle extends beyond the physical world into the cosmos and into the realm of the human spirit. The Bible provides profound insights into this ongoing struggle, revealing the consequences of these spiritual battles upon humanity. In this blog post, we will explore key Bible verses to understand the impact of spiritual warfare, the devil's strongholds, and the results of his works on the human spirit.

  1. The Spiritual Discernment Divide: The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 2:14, writes, "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." This verse highlights the fundamental divide between those who are attuned to the spiritual realm and those who are not. The natural man, devoid of spiritual discernment, remains unable to grasp the things of God. This lack of understanding creates vulnerability to the influence of the evil one. The battle between good and evil extends beyond the physical realm. As believers, we are called to develop a heightened sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to discern the spiritual forces at work around us. This discernment empowers us to engage in the spiritual battle with wisdom, prayer, and the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). We must not be ignorant of the devil's tactics, but rather stand firm in our faith and actively resist his schemes (James 4:7).
  2. Sin's Entrance and Its Consequences: The Apostle Paul further explains in Romans 5:12, "Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned." Here, Paul refers to the Fall of Man, where Adam and Eve's disobedience brought sin into the world. This event brought about spiritual separation from God and introduced the human race to the destructive consequences of sin and death. As a result, every individual is born into a fallen world and is inherently sinful (Psalm 51:5). The pervasiveness of sin necessitates the need for salvation and redemption through faith in Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our sins on the cross.
  3. The Inevitability of Judgment: Hebrews 9:27 declares, "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this, the judgment." This verse highlights the sobering reality that every individual will face judgment after death. The choices made during one's earthly life have eternal implications, reinforcing the significance of spiritual battles and the need for redemption. Understanding the inevitability of judgment, as stated in Hebrews 9:27, should instill a sense of urgency within believers. It compels us to share the message of salvation and the hope found in Jesus Christ with others. We are responsible for shining the light of the gospel in a world that loves darkness, as mentioned in John 3:19-21. Our lives should reflect the transformation brought about by the power of Christ, and our deeds should testify to the reality of God's work in us (Matthew 5:16).
  4. The Message of Salvation and Call to Action: John 3:16-21 encapsulates the heart of God's redemptive plan. It states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." This verse assures us that God's love is extended to all humanity through Jesus Christ. However, it also reveals that condemnation awaits those who reject the light and choose to remain in darkness due to their love for evil deeds.
  5. Transition from Death to Life: In John 5:24-29, Jesus emphasizes the transformative power of belief in Him. He proclaims, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment but has passed from death into life." This passage presents the hope of salvation and the promise of resurrection for those who have placed their faith in Christ. It also highlights the ultimate judgment that awaits both the righteous and the wicked. Believers who have heard His word and believe in Him have passed from death to life, escaping the condemnation that awaits the unbelieving. This assurance of everlasting life should motivate us to boldly proclaim the gospel, to reach out to the lost, and to demonstrate the love of Christ in our interactions with others. We have been entrusted with the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) and are called to be ambassadors for Christ, inviting others to experience the transformative power of His grace.
  6. The Fate of the Unrepentant: Matthew 25:41 warns, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels." This verse portrays the destiny of those who have rejected God's offer of salvation. It underscores the reality of eternal punishment for the unrepentant, highlighting the seriousness of spiritual battles and the importance of aligning one's life with God's purposes.
  7. The Final Judgment and Destiny: Revelation 20:10-15 provides a vivid description of the final judgment. It depicts the devil's ultimate fate, the judgment of the dead according to their works, and the casting of Death and Hades into the lake of fire. This passage underscores the eternal consequences of one's actions and the need for a righteous life that is inscribed in the Book of Life.
  8. Everlasting Destruction and Separation: Lastly, 2 Thessalonians 1:9 speaks of the punishment of the ungodly, stating, "These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power." This verse emphasizes the eternal separation from God and the everlasting consequences faced by those who refuse to accept the offer of salvation through Christ. These verses underscore the seriousness of our spiritual battles and the importance of choosing the path of righteousness. However, it is essential to remember that God's desire is not to condemn but to save (John 3:17). John 3:16 declares the immeasurable love of God for humanity, a love that led Him to send His Son to provide a way of salvation. As believers, we are commissioned to share this message of love, grace, and redemption.

The Bible's teachings on spiritual battles, the devil's strongholds, and the consequences of his works upon humanity provide a profound understanding of the human spirit's struggle and ultimate destiny. These passages emphasize the importance of spiritual discernment, the pervasive impact of sin, and the necessity of personal redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. They also serve as a reminder of the eternal judgment that awaits all individuals and the significance of choosing the path of righteousness found in faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, the Bible's teachings on spiritual battles, sin's impact, judgment, and salvation should propel us into action. We are called to engage in spiritual warfare with discernment, understanding the consequences of sin, and the urgency of sharing the good news. As ambassadors for Christ, we have the responsibility to extend God's love to a world in need, offering the hope of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Let us be steadfast in our faith, unwavering in our proclamation,

Next: Blindness, Pride, Faithlessness