The errors of Spiritual Warfare.

One of the best books I have read on spiritual warfare is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. This excellent book explores the workings of the devil and his demons. The premise of the book is that a senior demon is giving advice to an apprentice demon on how to go about destroying human beings.

At the beginning of his book, Lewis writes:

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” — C.S. Lewis

Rather than believe in a real enemy and call him by name—Satan, the devil, Lucifer—we as a culture have become obsessed with zombies, gore, spooky Halloween characters, The Walking Dead, and the like. Hollywood has paraded a world of darkness as entertainment. It's violent, bloody, spooky, and all fun and games.

So, as followers of Jesus Christ, we must have the right truth and perspective on these realities.

The Two Errors

1. To disbelieve in their existence.

2. To become obsessed with them.

Example:

“I got pulled over today and got a speeding ticket. The devil is just after me today!”

Nope.

You were speeding in a school zone.

Calm down.

Another example:

“I got written up at work today for failing to do my job properly. Man, my boss is the devil. The devil is using him to get me!”

No. Again.

You should attempt to do your job correctly.

We cannot live as if spiritual warfare doesn't exist. But we also cannot become so obsessed with it that it consumes our thoughts and minds. Scripture is full of verses about spiritual warfare and the battle we are all in.

John 10:10

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

1 Peter 5:8–9

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith…”

Ephesians 6:10–12

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Paul is showing us several things here:

1. Our enemy is not flesh and blood.

Although the devil can use people to hurt us or attempt to distract us, our primary enemy is not your boss, your spouse, that teacher, or that group of people. Our enemy is a fallen angel named Satan.

2. He and his demons are prowling around, seeking someone to devour.

He is looking for opportunities to hinder the work of God and bring destruction into our lives.

3. There are schemes of the devil.

As long as there is an enemy, there will be tactics and strategies he uses to try to destroy our lives, relationships, and faith.

I believe one of the primary ways the enemy works in our lives and relationships is through division. If he can divide us, pit us against each other, and use arguments, slander, gossip, or whatever means necessary to destroy the fabric of our relationships, he will take ground and gain victories.

As the body of Christ, we must be diligent to recognize this kind of attack and work toward healing, unity, and the bond of peace within the body of Christ.

When we pursue unity, we refuse to give the enemy ground. We protect our relationships, strengthen the body of Christ, and maintain one of our most powerful weapons against the enemy: unity.