Spiritual warfare in the bible is the process of engaging in a spiritual war against the unseen forces of darkness including demons, satanic agents, and evil forces. The battle is spiritual because, unlike physical wars, you may not see your opponents with your physical or naked eyes. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist or that they are not contending with you. As a matter of fact, the effects of their actions will be felt in the physical realm.
Paul writing to the church in Ephesus made it clear that as long as you are a Christian, you are engaged in spiritual warfare. This is not warfare that you can “opt out” or declare “not interested” as your interest is already registered the moment you became a born again Christian. As a Christian, you are by default, opted in with no way to “opt out”.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)
In this scripture, we have been counseled to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might as we will need that for the battles ahead. We have also been instructed to stand (which in military terms means to “stand our ground) against the wiles of the devil. He goes on to say that we wrestle (or engage in warfare) against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Our posture sometimes in prayer is the posture of warfare. We pray and we declare and enforce the victory of Jesus Christ over the devil in our realm. One of the most effective ways I have found to war in prayers is by praying in the spirit and allowing the spirit to war on your behalf.
From the place of intensity in praying in the spirit, is where declarations come with words in your understanding, and this carries the power to displace these forces and let us walk in victory.
“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. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)
