Series on Spiritual Warfare
In this series of posts, we will discuss spiritual warfare and how it influences and impacts us as family members who have difficult situations in our families. We’ll also discuss what to do when we discern that there is spiritual warfare going on in our families.
Part 1
What is spiritual warfare?
In order to understand what spiritual warfare is, we must go back to the beginning. We can surmise from the title, spiritual warfare, that we are in some type of battle and that the battle is spiritual in nature. The book of Genesis is the book of beginnings. In Genesis one, God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them.
In Genesis two, God created mankind. He then put mankind in the Garden of Eden to tend it and take care of it. God gave the man specific instructions. “And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:15-17)
Satan, a created being, called here in Genesis the serpent, came to the woman and with his cunning deceptive ploy, he tempted her to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree. She ate it and gave her husband some of the fruit to eat and he ate it also.
As a result of their disobedience, the Lord God punished them and proclaimed a curse on each of them.
To the serpent, He said: “Because you’ve done this, you’re cursed, cursed beyond all cattle and wild animals, cursed to slink on your belly and eat dirt all your life. I’m declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers. He’ll wound your head, you’ll wound his heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15 The Message Bible, italics and bold added) We see right here, in the very beginning, where the war between good and evil, Satan and God, light and darkness, all began.
Actually, the war between God and Satan began even before the fall. It began in heaven. The devil was originally created by God as the anointed guardian cherub (angel). God ordained him as such. Some say he was ordained and anointed as the angel who led others in the procession of worship. It’s unclear to me if this is true. But this we do know, he was blameless, innocent in his ways from the day he was created until wickedness was found in him. (Ezekiel 28:14-15) How this could happen is a mystery.
One thing is sure, there is no sin in heaven.
We read in Revelation that he is going to wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. Why? Because Jesus took away our sins and the sting of death when He died on Calvary’s cross. Scripture makes it clear; that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Prior to the fall, the man and his wife were innocent. They knew no sin. After eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, their eyes were opened and suddenly they knew they were naked. They felt shame and had to cover their nakedness with fig leaves. And they knew they disobeyed God. Scripture says they hid in the garden when they heard the sound of the Lord walking in the garden. They experienced fear and shame for the first time. These are all the results of the fall when they disobeyed God and sin entered their heart.
God had warned Adam that if he ate from the forbidden tree, he would surely die.
Listen to what the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat and live forever.” (Genesis 3:22) Originally, God intended for man to live forever here on the earth. Sin marred that plan and now God is banishing them from the Garden of Eden so that they cannot eat from the tree of life and live forever. He even goes so far as to put cherubim (angels) and a flaming sword going back and forth to guard them against going back in. (Genesis 3:22-24)
Sin entered the world through one man, Adam, and through that one man came death because of sin. As a result, death came to all mankind because we all have sinned since we all are offspring of Adam and we all have inherited Adam’s sinful nature. (Romans 5:12-21) If Adam and Eve had not eaten the forbidden fruit, they would have been able to stay in the garden, eat from the tree of life and live forever. Satan would not have had an entrance into their hearts. They and all of mankind would be innocent and without sin having continual fellowship with God.
In 1 John 3:8, The Amplified Bible, we see clearly that when we sin, we are separating ourselves from God and giving heed to the influence of the devil. “The one who practices sins (separating himself from God, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or rebellion) is of the devil (and takes his inner character and moral values from him, not God); for the devil has sinned and violated God’s law from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”
Yes, Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and He gave us authority over all the power of the enemy.
We have to know we have an enemy. And, just for today, I want you to know, my friend, that you are not alone in this battle against good and evil. Whatever you are experiencing, my friends, in your family, just know that many are going through similar challenges.
Listen to what Scripture says “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV
How can I pray for you as you resist the enemy and stand strong in the Lord?
Marlene’s mission is to bring the fire of God’s love to the hurting enabling them to find healing, restoration, and wholeness in order for them to be released into the fullness of their destiny.
Marlene has a unique combination of credentials. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with The International Coach Federation, as well as a BALM® Certified Family Recovery Life Coach. She is also certified in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Family Recovery Specialist.
Contact Marlene to learn more about working with her, enrolling in one of her classes, or joining her prayer movement.
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