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Particulars of Christianity:
311 Spiritual Warfare


Spiritual Warfare Study Conclusions

Spiritual Warfare Part 1a: A Study of Demonic Activity
Spiritual Warfare Part 1b: A Study of Demonic Activity
Spiritual Warfare Part 2a: The Spiritual Warfare of the Believer
Spiritual Warfare Part 2b: The Spiritual Warfare of the Believer
Spiritual Warfare Part 2c: The Spiritual Warfare of the Believer
Spiritual Warfare Part 2d: The Spiritual Warfare of the Believer
Spiritual Warfare P. 3a: Biblical/Historic View of Angels & Demons
Spiritual Warfare P. 3b: Biblical/Historic View of Angels & Demons
Spiritual Warfare P. 3c: Biblical/Historic View of Angels & Demons
Spiritual Warfare Study Conclusions
Spiritual Warfare Additional Quotes and Definitions



Section 1: Demons and unclean spirits

1. Demons (1140, 1142)) are the same as unclean (169) (or evil) spirits (4151).
2. Demonic activity involving humans IS demonic possession. There is no Biblical support that demonic activity involving humans is anything less than demonic possession.
3. Demonic possession involves the demon spirit dwelling inside of the human body.
4. Demonic possession always has at least one of two types of results: a) prolonged physical infirmity OR b) the replacement of the human spirit by the demon spirit as the operator of the body.
5. All cases of demonic possession recorded in the scripture are accompanied by clear, outward, physical manifestation demonstrating that a person is possessed, including behavior or abilities that are inexplicable without demonic possession OR the demon speaking out of the person or causing them to act.
6. There are NO cases of demonic possession, which are not readily apparent or detectable.
7. There are NO cases of demonic possession, which do not result in prolonged physical infirmity or the replacement of the human spirit by the demon spirit as the operator of the body.
8. Demons are not given credit or made responsible for ungodly attitudes, sinful behavior, bad habits, or poor character traits. Instead, the Bible affirms in James 1:14 and Romans 1-2 that these things are the result of human choice and will.
9. All cases of demonic possession in the Bible are of persons in an unsaved state. There are NO cases of demonic possession in the Bible where a Christian is demonically possessed (affected).
10. Because Saul was not possessed, the case of Saul in the Old Testament is a single and unique circumstance that cannot be used to form general rules about demonic activity on a universal scale.
11. While demons can be involved in the physical sickness and/or disabilities of man, though there is no Biblical reason to state that this is always the case since sickness can also be caused by God, the curse upon the earth and mankind, and human sin/behavior. (For more on this please see our articles on the Charismatic Movement in our In Depth Studies section.)


Section 2: Spiritual Warfare

1. The New Testament DOES NOT bear out that angelic behavior affects the minor, day to day activity of our lives.
2. The New Testament DOES NOT support the idea that the success or failure of the angels to accomplish or thwart God's will is in any way dependent upon anything we, as believers, do including prayer. The only area of exception is that we do determine how successful the enemy is to lead us astray from God's truth.
3. Prayer life and praise and worship ARE NOT given a large role in the spiritual warfare of the believer.
4. Our spiritual battle is with angelic adversaries.
5. Spiritual warfare is a mental struggle to reject the carnal mind and become mature in Christ, through studying and applying the Word of God.
6. The carnal mind is at enmity with God and is a product of man's sinful nature and the worldly wisdom of the angelic rulers of this age.
7. Spiritual warfare involves being able to discern sound doctrine from heresy.
8. Spiritual warfare involves ridding ourselves of ungodly thoughts, philosophies, beliefs, and behaviors that do not align with Jesus' teaching preserved for us in God's Word.
9. The armor of God is not actual spiritual battle gear, but refers to specific instructions toward godly living, preparedness for the coming final tribulation, and being in sound faith and doctrine, etc.
10. In the last days, some in the church will lose the spiritual war that we are to fight, fail to become mature, prepared, believers who understand the truth of God's Word, and instead will depart from the faith.
11. Spiritual warfare involves being able to contend for the faith and refuting, correcting and rebuking those who oppose it.
12. Binding and loosing angels IS NOT a part of spiritual warfare and the New Testament DOES NOT give this authority to Christians.
13. Casting out demons IS NOT connected to spiritual warfare in the New Testament.


Section 3: Angels and Demons

1. The historical, orthodox, Judeo-Christian faith identifies four types of spiritual beings: a) God, b) angels, c) man, and d) demons.
2. Before the flood some angels came down from heaven and sinned by having children with women.
2. These children were called the Nephilim
3. After the Nephilim died their spirits remained on earth and they were known as demons or evil or unclean spirits
4. These demons ARE NOT angels, but were the children of angels and women
5. The Bible as well as ancient Judeo-Christian, orthodoxy viewed angels and demons as distinctly different types of spiritual beings
6. The Bible does NOT use the term demon to refer to fallen angels. Therefore, it is incorrect to hold that demons ARE fallen angels.
7. Demons are the gods that pagan mythology and culture worships.


(* For a full listing of quotes from the Book of Enoch on angels and demons, quotes from the early church writers on Enoch and angels and demons, and definitions of relevant Biblical terminology please see our addendum to this study.