“Principles of Spiritual Warfare”

 

“Principles of Spiritual Warfare”

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but with the rulers, with the authorities, with the powers of this dark world and with the evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may resist in the day of evil, and have done everything and stood.

Ephesians 6:14 Therefore stand firm, girding your loins with truth and putting on the breastplate of righteousness;

Ephesians 6:15 and putting on the firm foundation of the gospel of peace;

Ephesians 6:16 and take up the shield of faith, by which you can destroy all the fiery arrows of the evil one.

Ephesians 6:17 And receive the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, through all prayer and petition. 

Item	Principles of Spiritual Warfare
Meaning	Spiritual warfare is the believers’ participation in Christ’s victory to deal with Satan’s kingdom of darkness, release people back to God, and bring in God’s kingdom.
Cause	Since Satan still works in the air to deceive, accuse, and occupy people, God needs the church to cooperate with Him to execute Christ’s victory and authority.
Illustrations	1. Battlefield and armor (Eph. 6) 2. Nehemiah building with one hand and holding a weapon with the other (Neh. 4:17) 3. Fighting the enemy in the heavenlies 4. Light driving out darkness
Explanation	Spiritual warfare is not human conflict but a conflict between spiritual kingdoms. It is not by fleshly methods, but by Christ’s victory, the Spirit, prayer, truth, and the blood.
First Principle: Do Not Use Fleshly Weapons	Anger, manipulation, human schemes, natural wisdom, emotional pressure, and worldly methods cannot solve spiritual problems. Fleshly methods may change outward behavior but cannot release people from Satan’s bondage.
Characteristics of Fleshly Weapons	Human methods, natural wisdom, relationships, emotions, political maneuvering, outward attractions, material incentives.
Result of Rejecting Fleshly Weapons	God gains the ground to work, and the powers of darkness are overthrown.
Second Principle: Keep the Ascended Position	Believers must remain in the heavenly position of being seated with Christ in the heavenlies to deal with the enemy in the air.
Reality of the Ascended Position	Living in a heavenly condition, not occupied by the world, the flesh, emotions, or natural concepts.
Importance of the Ascended Position	The measure of heavenly element in us determines the measure of spiritual warfare we can exercise.
Result of Losing the Heavenly Position	The gospel loses power; ministry becomes mere doctrine; work becomes outward activity only.
Result of Keeping the Heavenly Position	Darkness is driven away, people are released, and God’s kingdom is brought in.
Third Principle: Use Spiritual Weapons	Spiritual warfare must be fought with God’s spiritual armor, not natural ability.
Spiritual Weapons	The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:14-17).
Core of Spiritual Weapons	Every activity must originate from the spirit.
Key to Using Spiritual Weapons	Do not act according to self-wisdom or personal judgment, but according to the inner sense of the Spirit.
Fourth Principle: Have Prayers of Warfare	Spiritual warfare is carried out largely through prayer.
Characteristics of Warfare Prayer	Prayer in the spirit, persistent prayer, touching God’s throne, and dealing with the powers in the air.
Effect of Prayer	Heaven is opened, God’s throne moves, and Satan’s activities are restricted.
Example of Warfare Prayer	Daniel’s prayer broke through the spiritual opposition in the air (Dan. 10).
Fifth Principle: By the Blood, the Word of Testimony, and Not Loving the Soul-Life	This is the foundation of overcoming Satan (Rev. 12:11).
Function of the Blood	The blood answers Satan’s accusations and gives believers boldness before God.
Meaning of the Word of Testimony	Declaring Christ’s victory, the success of the cross, resurrection, and ascension.
Meaning of Not Loving the Soul-Life	Not loving self, not protecting self-interest, and not preserving one’s own soul-life.
Why the Soul-Life Hinders Warfare	Self-love produces fear of loss and causes believers to lose spiritual authority.
Effects	1. Strongholds are destroyed 2. Darkness is driven away 3. Captives are released 4. God’s kingdom is brought in 5. The church is built up 6. Christ’s victory is manifested
Purpose	Not to overcome people, but to restore God’s authority, release people to God, build up Christ’s Body, and bring in God’s kingdom.
Difference (Spiritual Warfare vs Human Conflict)	Human conflict fights for self; spiritual warfare fights for God’s kingdom. Human conflict depends on emotion and schemes; spiritual warfare depends on the Spirit and truth.
Difference  (Natural Work vs Spiritual Work)	Natural work focuses on outward results; spiritual work focuses on releasing people from Satan’s authority.
Relationship	Reject fleshly weapons → Keep the heavenly position → Use spiritual weapons → Pray prayers of warfare → Stand by the blood and testimony → Bring in God’s kingdom.
Spiritual Sequence	The cross deals with the flesh → Live in ascension → Put on the armor → Pray in spirit → Declare Christ’s victory → Exercise God’s authority.
Example (Paul)	Paul rejected fleshly methods and relied on God’s power to overthrow strongholds (2 Cor. 10:3-5).
Example (Daniel)	Daniel prayed persistently until the heavenly answer broke through spiritual opposition (Dan. 10:12-13).
Example (Nehemiah)	Nehemiah’s workers built and fought at the same time (Neh. 4:17).
Example  (The Lord Jesus)	The Lord defeated Satan in the wilderness by the Word of God  (Matt. 4:1-11).
Example  (Joshua the High Priest)	Satan accused Joshua, but God answered with cleansing and grace  (Zech. 3:1-5).
Application (Gospel Preaching)	Do not rely on techniques, but on the Spirit, prayer, and heavenly authority.
Application  (Church Service)	Do not depend on politics or management skills, but minister life in the spirit.
Application  (Dealing with Sin)	Do not struggle merely by willpower, but declare Christ’s victory and trust in His blood.
Application  (Family and Workplace)	Do not react in the flesh during conflicts, but live in the spirit and overcome darkness with heavenly life.
Application  (Personal Living)	Maintain fellowship with the Lord daily and remain in a heavenly condition.
Burden	God needs not only workers, but believers who will fight together with Him.
Prophetic Speaking Guidance	1. Declare Christ’s victory 2. Reject natural methods 3. Live in ascension 4. Advance God’s administration through prayer 5. Stand by the blood 6. Do not love the soul-life
One-Sentence Prophetic Summary	“True spiritual warfare is not man working for God on earth, but man reigning with Christ in the heavenlies to execute His victory.”
Conclusion	The center of spiritual warfare is not human strength, but Christ’s victory. When the church lives in the heavenly position and depends on the blood, truth, the Spirit, and prayer, Satan’s strongholds are overthrown and God’s kingdom is brought in.
Related Scriptures	2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-18; Col. 3:1-3; Rev. 12:11; Dan. 10:12-13; Neh. 4:17; Matt. 4:1-11; Zech. 3:1-5; Luke 10:19; 1 John 3:8; 1 Tim. 1:18-19

 

*Please refer to the 2026 Spring International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Theme: The Ministry of the Word and the Dispensing of God for God's Economy, Week 4: The Measurement of God's Measure and the Ministry of Spiritual Warfare.