Spiritual Warriors

We live in the midst of a fallen world, with a spiritual battle raging all around. Satan and his fallen angels work night and day to preserve their kingdom from the advancing Kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The battle is over the souls of humanity, as Satan works to keep lost humanity from finding salvation and blinding those who are perishing. He also works to prevent the saints (the saved) from advancing the Kingdom of God, through a variety of weapons and tactics. For those new to the faith, the reality of spiritual warfare can be a shock. However, the Lord through scripture has prepared us to expect the war and the attacks.

If God is so powerful, why doesn’t God just eliminate Satan and his of fallen angels? Many of us ask this question ourselves in the midst of the struggle. Why do we have to struggle with Satan, and go through his attacks? Have you ever found yourself asking this question? If you have, you are not alone. When we struggle and feel helpless it is hard for us to see any good in the struggle.

One thing we need to remember is God does not need angels or humans, to do His work or us. He is completely able to accomplish His will. If he made the universe, including the spiritual realms, at the command of His word, He could finish it at the command of His word. However, God chooses to use us, and allow us to participate in His work. In the process, we believers in Christ, transform into the image of Christ. Satan serves the purpose of the Lord, because his attacks cause us to grow spiritually and become more like Christ ( 2 Cor 3:18).

Imagine if you as a child growing, never experienced pain, or failure, then as an adult you were expected to cope with pain or failure. How do you think you would handle the trials of adulthood, without having the trials of childhood? When we fall off the bike, or struggle to learn to walk, falling and crying we are being transformed into adults, through trials. In the same way, when we struggle spiritually we are being transformed, the Holy Spirit is conforming us to the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, urging us to pray.

Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Through the process of spiritual warfare, the redeemed are tested and tried, learning to trust and depend on the Lord. In the spiritual war Satan’s hands are tied and he is limited in what he can do. God knows our limitations too, not allowing us to face more then we can handle.

Before a person is saved Satan’s goal was to keep that person in darkness by blinding them from seeing the gospel. All this changes when someone comes to the light. Satan’s goal shifts from keeping a person lost, to defeating the “new” believer and to keep them from living a victorious life. He wants them to be defeated, in bondage, wallowing in the struggles of their life. He wants to keep them from becoming effective warriors for the Kingdom of God. He does this through his spiritual attacks on believers. However, God uses these same attacks to advance His kingdom, through those that are saved and have learned how to be a spiritual warrior.