Standing Strong Through Spiritual Warfare

Standing strong through spiritual warfare, as Matt Brown’s article emphasizes, involves equipping ourselves with God’s armor to face spiritual forces, not merely physical struggles (Ephesians 6:11-12). By discerning true spiritual battles, we avoid mislabeling hardships while recognizing signs like unusual adversity or stolen joy. 

Reclaiming peace and joy in God, as Nehemiah 8:10 encourages, fortifies us against the enemy’s attempts to derail our faith. Persistent prayer, as Jesus taught in Mark 9:29, and trust in God’s sovereignty empower us to endure. 

Understanding Spiritual Warfare 

These verses define spiritual warfare as a battle against spiritual forces, not flesh and blood, and emphasize equipping oneself with God’s armor and divine weapons.

• Ephesians 6:11-12 – “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
• 1 Peter 5:8-9 – “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.”
• James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
• Ephesians 6:13 – “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.”
• 2 Timothy 2:3-4 – “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs.”
• 1 John 4:4 – “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
• John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
• Ephesians 6:16 – “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
• Colossians 2:15 – “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
• Romans 8:37 – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
• Luke 10:19 – “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
• 1 John 5:4-5 – “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
• Revelation 12:11 – “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
• 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”

Recognizing Spiritual Warfare Wisely

These verses emphasize discernment to avoid labeling every hardship as spiritual warfare, recognizing God’s refining process or consequences of actions.

• Psalm 66:10 – “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.”
• 1 Peter 1:7 – “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith… may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
• Galatians 6:7-8 – “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
• Proverbs 17:3 – “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.”
• Isaiah 48:10 – “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”
• Proverbs 19:3 – “A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.”
• Hebrews 12:11 – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.”
• James 1:2-3 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
• Romans 5:3-4 – “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
• Job 23:10 – “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
• Zechariah 13:9 – “This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold.”
• 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 – “But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.”
• Proverbs 3:11-12 – “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves.”
• Psalm 139:23-24 – “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”
• Deuteronomy 8:2 – “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you.”

Reclaiming Joy and Peace in the Lord

These verses focus on maintaining joy and peace amidst spiritual warfare, trusting in God’s sovereignty.

• Nehemiah 8:10 – “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
• Psalm 51:12 – “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
• John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
• Philippians 4:7 – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
• Psalm 16:11 – “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”
• John 16:33 – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
• Psalm 30:5 – “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
• Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
• Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.”
• Psalm 94:19 – “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
• Habakkuk 3:17-18 – “Though the fig tree does not bud… yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”
• Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
• Psalm 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.”
• John 16:22 – “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice.”
• Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.”
• Isaiah 12:3 – “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
• Psalm 5:11 – “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.”
• Romans 14:17 – “For the kingdom of God is… righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
• Psalm 4:7 – “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.”

Knowing You Are Making a Difference

These verses affirm that spiritual warfare often accompanies kingdom impact, signaling breakthroughs for God’s glory.

• Matthew 5:10 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
• 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.”
• John 15:20 – “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”
• Acts 14:22 – “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
• 2 Timothy 3:12 – “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
• 1 Corinthians 16:9 – “A great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”
• Philippians 1:29 – “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”
• Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:10 – “For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships… for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
• Matthew 10:22 – “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
• 1 Peter 4:12-13 – “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you… rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ.”
• Hebrews 10:32-33 – “You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property.”
• 2 Corinthians 1:5 – “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”
• Colossians 1:24 – “I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions.”
• Revelation 2:10 – “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer… Be faithful, even to the point of death.”
• Acts 5:41 – “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”
• 2 Timothy 1:8 – “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord… join with me in suffering for the gospel.”
• 1 Peter 2:21 – “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example.”
• Philippians 3:10 – “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings.”
• Luke 6:22-23 – “Blessed are you when people hate you… because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy.”

Persisting in Prayer and Trusting the Lord

These verses highlight the importance of persistent prayer and trust in God to overcome spiritual battles.

• Mark 9:29 – “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
• Psalm 27:13-14 – “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart.”
• 2 Timothy 2:3 – “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
• Ephesians 6:18 – “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
• Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray continually.”
• Luke 18:1 – “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”
• Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
• Matthew 7:7 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
• James 5:16 – “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
• Psalm 34:17 – “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
• Colossians 4:2 – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
• 1 John 5:14 – “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
• Psalm 62:8 – “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
• Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy.”
• Jeremiah 29:12 – “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
• Romans 12:12 – “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
• Psalm 145:18 – “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
• Matthew 21:22 – “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
• Isaiah 65:24 – “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.”

Addressing Causes of Spiritual Warfare 

These verses cover the causes of spiritual warfare: personal sin, malevolent forces, societal pressures, and resistance to spiritual growth.

Internal Struggles and Personal Sin 

• Romans 7:15 – “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”
• Galatians 5:17 – “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.”
• Psalm 51:5 – “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”
• Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
• 1 John 1:8-9 – “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves… If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just.”
• Proverbs 28:13 – “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
• James 1:14-15 – “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”
• Psalm 32:5 – “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity… and you forgave.”
• Romans 6:12 – “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”
• Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”

Cultural and Societal Influences 

• Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
• 1 John 2:15-16 – “Do not love the world or anything in the world… For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father.”
• John 17:15-16 – “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”
• 2 Corinthians 6:14 – “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?”
• 1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

Spiritual Growth and Advancement

• 2 Peter 3:18 – “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
• Philippians 3:12-14 – “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
• Hebrews 6:1 – “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity.”
• Colossians 1:10 – “So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work.”
• Ephesians 4:15 – “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Conclusion

Standing strong through spiritual warfare requires discernment, resilience, and unwavering trust in God’s strength, as outlined in Matt Brown’s article. By recognizing true spiritual battles, reclaiming joy and peace, acknowledging kingdom impact, and persisting in prayer, believers can overcome challenges with faith. The Bible equips us with divine tools to face evil forces, personal sin, and societal pressures.

Through verses like Ephesians 6:11-12 and Nehemiah 8:10, we are reminded to rely on God’s armor and joy to endure. Spiritual warfare, though real, is navigable with God’s guidance and persistent prayer. Believers can stand firm, confident in God’s ultimate victory and goodness.