what is spiritual warfare

[MoreCoffee]

Does not Paul tell us to wage warfare? It is obvious that you will not understand me so I am done, should have known better

I've seen videos of preachers summoning Satan so they can beat him up. They say things like "Satan I cast you out! in the mighty name of Jesus I cast you out ...". That's the sort of thing I was thinking about in my last post. It seems odd. I've never seen a prayer like that in the scriptures, have you?

 

[psalms 91]

I've seen videos of preachers summoning Satan so they can beat him up. They say things like "Satan I cast you out! in the mighty name of Jesus I cast you out ...". That's the sort of thing I was thinking about in my last post. It seems odd. I've never seen a prayer like that in the scriptures, have you?

That would be one foolish preacher and yes did not the disciples cast out devils, did not Jesus? I am sure that their prayers were more in line with spiritual warfare rather than please come out

 

[Pedrito]

Post #19:

Because their tribe was at war and their loyalty to tribe affected them deeply so they prayed that God would help their loved ones. It is not so much "divided loyalties" as loyalty born out of love. It is sanctimonious "more holy than thou" talk to condemn them for praying for the preservation of the people that they love.

The prayers prayed by the people and their religious leaders are not just for loved ones. That is the relevant point. God is invoked to provide national victory and the safety and protection of the soldiers on “our side” (meaning withdrawal of safety and protection from the soldiers on “the other side”).

There definitely is “divided loyalty” particularly among the religious leaders who have probably taken an oath with respect to placing spiritual things above worldly matters.

And why did the church leaders on both sides not speak out strongly against it?

church leaders often speak against war but they are not the ones who decide that matter in most cases. And sometimes war is forced upon a people. Democracies usually do not wage aggressive war and when they do then Christian ministers are often leaders of those who resist the war. Nevertheless when your friends and family are at stake even if the war is aggressive it is right to pray for them.

Once again, friends and family are not the only subject of the prayers. And while “church leaders and Christian ministers” do often speak out against war before it starts, once a war that intimately involves their home nation is waged, perspectives as observed do tend to change rather quickly in the main.

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Of course, bringing that out into the open tends to expose (shall we say) weaknesses and incongruities within the Christendom of which we are a part.

And we can’t have that, can we?

 

[atpollard]

Does not Paul tell us to wage warfare? It is obvious that you will not understand me so I am done, should have known better

Sort of, but I don't think what Paul described is what you are thinking of:

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 NASB
1 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am [fn]meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but [fn]divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

The battle seems to be either inside of us or against ignorance (according to Paul).

 

[atpollard]

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE?

in my humble opinion ...

Ephesians 6:10-20 NASB
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against [fn]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 [fn]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 [fn]With all prayer and petition [fn]pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, [fn]be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in [fn]chains; that [fn]in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The key to 'spiritual warfare' seems to be standing firm, in the work of God, and not allowing the enemy to distract or frighten you off. And when you see a brother or sister in Christ under attack, pray for them. It is the Armor OF GOD and the Strength of HIS MIGHT that gets us through. Mr Lloyd-Jones pointed out that Jesus never went looking for demons to fight. Jesus was always focused on doing his Father's business, and simply refused to allow anything that Satan sent to distract Him or preventing Jesus from following the will of God.

We could do worse than to emulate Jesus.