When we accepted Christ as our Lord, we became involved in a spiritual war; one we will be in for the rest of our lives.
The effects of this conflict in the physical realm are so vividly seen that at times we are tempted to think that the fight is a physical one, against men and women who oppose God, or even against our own sinful flesh. But no matter how convincingly real the physical fight looks, God's Word warns us that the real fight is spiritual.
Ephesians 6:10-12.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
Since our real fight is not physical, but spiritual, the weapons we fight with must be spiritual rather than physical.
II Corinthians 10:3-5.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
This passage makes it clear that the fighting takes place in our own minds. We are responsible to cast down "imagina-tions", or reasonings, and everything in our mind that tries to exalt itself against God's Word, and to bring into subjection to our Lord Jesus Christ every single thought we think. Yet we would be making a deadly mistake to think that our fight is purely mental.
Our real fight is a spiritual fight. By "spiritual" I do not mean "moral", or "mental", or "figurative"; by "spiritual" I mean "pertaining to spirit(s)". We wrestle not against "flesh and blood", but against "the prince [ruler]" or "god of this world [age]," who is the devil (John 12:31; 14:30; II Corinthians 4:3-4).
Our ultimate victory is not in doubt. Jesus Christ has already won the victory for us. When we accepted Christ as our Lord, we joined the winning side!
I John 4:8b.
...For this purpose the son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Hebrews 2:14-15.
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
And deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Colossians 2:15.
[And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
What is at stake for us is victory over our own minds, and victory in our own lives. What is at stake is who we will serve, who will be our master.
Romans 6:16.
Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Satan rarely presents himself to us as pure evil. Rather, he pretends to be an alternate supplier of our needs and wants, offering us what appear to be valid alternatives to waiting on or obeying God to get what we need or want. But Jesus Christ has snatched off Satan's disguise for us, and exposed his will toward us.
John 10:10.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Satan never comes to supply your needs, or enhance your life, regardless of how attractive his offer or how timely his appearance. Rather, he is there, every single time he shows up, to steal people, to kill them, and if possible, to destroy them for eternity.
Our adversary's attacks fall into two general categories: direct spiritual attacks, using the many evil spirits that make up his kingdom, and indirect mental attacks, by means of ideas and thoughts slipped into our minds. It might appear at first glance that direct spiritual attacks would be his most formidable weapon against God's people, but that is not the case -- at least in the initial stages of his attacks.
God has given us a very powerful promise that sets some serious limits on what Satan can do against us.
I Corinthians 10:13.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].
The promise in this verse is threefold.
First, you can only be tempted with "such as is common to man", or human temptations. This means that unless you allow yourself to get posessed by an evil spirit, Satan is limited to sense-knowledge assaults against you.
James 1:14-15.
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
This represents a major limit on Satan. Satan's temptation of Jesus in the wilderness makes it clear that Satan could do more if he were allowed to.
Matthew 4:5,8.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple...
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them...
None of us have to go through temptations like this! Satan does not cart us around from place to place, or show us visions, or speak directly to us. This is not because Satan lacks the power to do so, nor is it because of any care or concern for us on his part! Rather, God has prohibited him from using some of the most powerful tools in his arsenal against us!
Second, God "will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able." In other words, Satan's attacks against you must be in line with your maturity and experience and knowledge of God's Word. Satan is not allowed to attack new believers with the same attacks he uses against mature believers.
Finally, God will not allow a believer to be placed in a situation where there is no way for the believer to obey God; God will always provide a way of escape for the believer. This is the spiritual equivalent of making checkmates illegal in chess!
While we are allowed by God, and strongly encouraged, to use every spiritual weapon and every piece of armor that God has placed within our reach in our warfare, Satan must operate within the limits God has placed on him. Thus he is severely limited in how he can use direct spiritual attacks against believers.
He is not so limited, however, when it comes to indirect spiritual attacks. Satan seems to be free to plant thoughts and suggestions in our minds at will. For most of us, most of our fight will be against Satan's "thought bombs" targeted against our minds.
God has given us two ways to fight back against these attacks: We are to resist the devil, and we are to draw near to God.
I Peter 5:5-9.
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
James 4:6-8.
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, ye sinners, and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
When the adversary attacks, we are to resist him. Much good work has been done on this subject. One particularly good book is C. S. Lovett's "Dealing With the Devil".
Much less work has been done on how to prepare yourself before he attacks by drawing near to God. I believe that God's Word teaches that the key to doing this is developing the fruit of the spirit in your life, and that this constitutes our first line of defense against the devil's assaults. This is the subject of this set of studies: How to resist the devil by drawing near to God by way of the fruit of the spirit.