Spring 1988
Spiritual Warfare
Wade E Taylor

"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" Eph 6:12.

No matter who or where we are, all of us face problems in our lives. Job 5:7 tells us, "Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward."

The problems that we face in our lives are not accidental. Rather, they are permitted in God's program that He might have "His own special people" who have chosen Him. These choose Him, not because it is easy for them to do so, but because they DESIRE TO KNOW HIM so much that they are willing to push through life's pressures in order to apprehend Him.

Many become discouraged when problems come their way, not recognizing that they have a purpose. These difficulties that we face provide the "pressure point" at which a choice must be made. Our response to these pressure points determines the action of the Lord towards us.

"For many are called, but few are chosen" Matt 22:14. This can be said in another way: "Many are called, but few are willing to pay the price IN ORDER TO BE CHOSEN."

Something very special is said about those who qualify in order to be chosen. "But you are a CHOSEN generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE," I Peter 2:9. Notice that the Lord refers to those who choose Him in the presence of their problems, as "His own special people".

This process of qualification for being chosen begins after we have received the gift of salvation. Our salvation has been amply provided for us on Calvary's cross. It cannot be earned, but is given to all who will believe in Him and receive His forgiveness.

However, the outworking of this gift of salvation will require much from us as we realize that many problems will arise in our pattern of life. Although these have been allowed by the Lord so as to have a part in our choosing Him, we are called to gain a victory over them.

The problems that we face in life come from two main sources: "Human" and "Satanic." They are brought about through mankind's rejection of the rule of the Kingdom of God. A proper functioning of the Gospel will affect each of these problem areas and produce a resultant correction.

In Mark 3:13-15, Jesus said that we are to: (1) "preach the Word," (2) "heal the sick," and (3) "cast out devils." Generally, we understand the first two areas of ministry and are effective in them. However, a total victory can be won only as we come into a better understanding of this third area of ministry. We are to discern the root cause of these problems and gain a victory over them at their source through spiritual warfare.

Demons are one form of being; principalities are yet another. The Bible does not state the origin of demons. We know that they are disembodied spirits for they seek to inhabit living beings. Jesus clearly told us to "CAST THEM OUT." We have been given this authority, and the Lord expects us to use it.

But, something different is said to us concerning principalities. "For we WRESTLE not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" Eph 6:12. Notice the difference: Demons, CAST them OUT: Principalities, WRESTLE AGAINST them. Thus, our approach to each of these must be different.

These principalities are enthroned in the heavenlies, controlling mankind, ruling nations, cities and specific areas. Isaiah speaks of these as causing all of the agony of wars, hatred and strife. "He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth ... How art thou fallen, O Lucifer son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!" Isa 14:6,12.

The Lord has a plan through which these principalities will be brought down from their usurped place in the heavenlies. This will take place through a ministry of spiritual warfare.

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set with my Father in His throne" Rev 3:21. As the Lord's people overcome the many problems that they face in their pattern of life, they are experientially seated with Christ in heavenly places. Here, they are to exercise the SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY that comes with their identity with Him in His throne.

As this "OVERCOMING AUTHORITY" is exercised in SPIRITUAL WARFARE, it will begin to displace these principalities that are entrenched in the Heavenlies, and replace them with the righteous rule of the Kingdom of God. As these principalities are brought down, then a time of tribulation will come on the Earth as a result.

This "Time of Tribulation" cannot come until the Lord's people take their rightful place in the heavenlies. This time is not a date to be looked for, but rather, an occurrence. It will increasingly happen as an overcoming people are caught up to the throne and begin to "wrestle" against these principalities, and bring them down from their usurped place in the Heavenlies to the Earth where they will vent their rage.

There is a parallel between the children of Israel and the Church that will help our understanding in this. While the children of Israel were sitting in Egypt, it was easy for them to say, "Canaan is ours, a land flowing with milk and honey, Hallelujah!". But when they arrived, they encountered the presence of giants and walled cities. There was something that they had to do.

The walls of Jericho coming down is a type of spiritual warfare, a mighty defeat of principalities. Through a supernatural intervention, brought about by their knowing the voice of the Lord and being obedient to His leading, these walls (principalities that were entrenched) were brought down. This is a type of our spiritual warfare.

Christians often sit in their pews saying, "We are seated with Christ in heavenly places, hallelujah!" (Eph 2:6). But the enemy is entrenched in the heavenlies and must be confronted through actual spiritual warfare. "For we wrestle ... against," Eph 6:12. This means there must be a present, active warfare.

Merely reciting that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places will not accomplish it. There must be an overcoming quality in our lives wherein we enter into a WRESTLING AUTHORITY. Then, principalities will be brought down and there will come about a deliverance from the present problems that we face. This is the wisdom of the Lord: using the very humanity that Satan defeated in the Garden of Eden to bring down his kingdom.

The Lord is waiting for a people to come to a level of spiritual maturity that will enable them to take on this spiritual authority, and begin to "wrestle" against principalities. Just as the children of Israel walked around Jericho in obedience to the Word of the Lord, we must become part of a prophetic army that functions in harmony and obedience.

This will cause the bringing down of principalities, a resultant open heaven, and a visitation of the Spirit of God on the Earth as never before. May we make ourselves available to the Lord that this will be possible in our day.