This page is part of The Spiritual Warfare Bible Study; Previous page: Introduction; See answers to this page
A. What is Spiritual Warfare?
In general, spiritual warfare is the conflict between good and evil. It is the ongoing battle between two diametrically opposed kingdoms: God’s kingdom (good) and Satan’s kingdom (evil). Though it is inherently a spiritual conflict, spiritual warfare also manifests in the natural realm of flesh and blood. Humans are caught in the midst of this conflict and may participate in the struggle on either side.
B. Origin of the conflict
1) Before Man: The origin of the conflict between good and evil goes back before the creation of Man. One of God’s powerful angels, Lucifer, played a key role.
1. Read Ezekiel 28:12-13. What are some details about Lucifer’s original character and appearance?
2. Please describe Lucifer’s original position in heaven and on earth according to the below verses:
Lucifer’s first mistake was that he entertained sin in his heart. Ezekiel wrote, “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:15 NIV).
3. Read Ezekiel 28:17-18. What were Lucifer’s sins and how did they affect him?
4. What were the five things Lucifer purposed to do? Isaiah 14:12-15:
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5. Read Revelation 12:3-9. What did Lucifer apparently do to some of God’s angels?
6. What did God do to Lucifer (and his evil angels) because of his sin / rebellion?
Isaiah 14:12,15, Revelation 12:7-9:
Lucifer was in the Garden of Eden in the form of the serpent. Apparently he had already rebelled against God, becoming Satan (i.e. The Adversary). His goal was to deceive Eve and ultimately Adam.
2) Creation of Man
7. Read Genesis 1:26-27. In whose image and likeness did God create humans?
8. Read Genesis 1:26,28, Psalm 8:4-8. What authority/power did God give to man?
3) The Fall of Man and Satan’s assumption of power
9. Read Genesis 3:17-19, 2 Peter 2:19, Romans 5:6,12-14,17,20-21.What were three things that happened as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin?
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10. Read Romans 8:19-21. How was the rest of creation affected by Adam and Eve’s sin?
11. What power and authority did Satan gain after deceiving man? For each verse, please write the aspect of Satan’s power and authority it reveals:
With such an array of powers, it is easy to see how many people might fall under Satan’s influence. Thankfully, Jesus Christ came to undo the works of the devil and bring salvation to all those who would believe on his name. Let’s examine Christ’s work and how it affects those who believe in him.
4) Mission of Jesus Christ, the 2nd Adam, restoring dominion to Man
12. How was Jesus like a second Adam? Read the following passages and comment on what they reveal about Jesus:
13. Read 1 Corinthians 15:22-28. As a “second Adam”, what are Christ’s objectives from now until the end times?
14. Read Luke 4:18-21. What were 5 of Jesus’ initial mission objectives as he began his earthly ministry?
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One of the first things people noticed about Jesus in the beginning of his ministry was that he preached the word of God with authority (Luke 4:31-32). Next, he demonstrated that authority in many different ways.
15. For each verse, briefly write what Jesus did:
Luke 4:33-37,41, Luke 8:26-33:
16. What did Jesus “inherit” as a result of his victory on the cross and his resurrection?
17. What did Jesus accomplish on the cross for those who believe in him?
It is awesome to think that we are co-heirs with Jesus, with all the authority and power that he has (see question #16 answers). Unfortunately, some Christians don’t fully understand the scope of their inheritance in Christ, or worse, they understand it but don’t believe it. As with many aspects of the Christian walk, faith is the key to moving into our inheritance.
18. Read Matthew 28:18-20. What mission did Jesus confer upon us as his believers to carry out on earth?
19. Read Genesis 1:28. How is our mission similar to Adam and Eve’s mission prior to The Fall?
C. Spiritual warfare is occurring today
Satan is certainly opposed to our fulfillment of God’s mission, as it will ultimately contribute to his final demise. As expected, Satan attacks people in a variety of ways in hopes of destroying their faith, alienating them from God and sabotaging them with temptation.
20. Here are some examples of ways in which Satan attacks people. For each verse, write a short description of the attack described.
Those are just a few of the many ways that Satan and his forces oppose God’s kingdom. We’ll further discuss enemy tactics later in this study.
Though God has declared victory over Satan and his forces, the process of bringing them under Christ’s feet is still underway (1 Corinthians 15:25). As members of God’s family and army, we have an important role in that process.