Why Spiritual Warfare Is Crucial Today: Spiritual Warfare In Modern Times For Messianic Believers
The Need For Awareness: Why Spiritual Warfare is Crucial Today, Especially For Those Embracing Both Jewish Identity and Belief in Yeshua
Spiritual warfare, a concept spanning the Scriptures, holds special relevance for Messianic Jewish believers today. The unique identity of those who embrace both their Jewish heritage and faith in Yeshua as the Messiah makes them prime targets for spiritual opposition. Understanding the significance of spiritual warfare helps Messianic Jewish believers recognize the subtle and overt tactics the adversary may employ and strengthens their resolve to live a life of holiness and courage. This chapter explores why an awareness of spiritual warfare is essential in this modern age, using insights from the Tanakh to illustrate the timelessness of this battle.
A People Set Apart for God’s Purpose
Messianic Jewish believers carry a unique testimony that ties the Jewish roots of the faith to the Messiah's message. Throughout the Tanakh, we see that the people of Israel were set apart as a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). This calling has always been met with spiritual resistance, as the adversary seeks to prevent Israel from fulfilling God’s purposes.
Exodus 19:5-6 (NASB)
"Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
This covenantal identity implies both privilege and responsibility, and it also makes Israel a unique target of spiritual attacks. Messianic Jewish believers continue in this calling, living as witnesses to the fulfillment of the promises of God in Yeshua while maintaining their Jewish identity. This dual calling requires vigilance, as the enemy works to undermine both their faith and their identity.
The Enemy’s Tactics: Deception and Division
Spiritual warfare often involves deception, which seeks to distort the truth of God’s Word and divide God’s people. The Tanakh records numerous instances of the enemy’s tactics aimed at leading Israel astray, beginning with the deception of Eve in the Garden. The prophets frequently warned Israel of false prophets and idols that would lead them away from God.
Jeremiah 23:16 (NASB)
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; they speak a vision of their own imagination, not from the mouth of the LORD.'"
Deception continues to be a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare today. For Messianic Jewish believers, this may manifest in attempts to dilute or undermine the uniqueness of their calling, either by pressuring them to abandon their Jewish identity or by convincing them that their faith in Yeshua is incompatible with their heritage. By being aware of the enemy’s tactics, Messianic believers can better guard against these deceptions and stand firm in the truth.
The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance
The book of Proverbs calls on us to be vigilant, emphasizing that the "fear of the Lord" is the foundation of wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 9:10). This wisdom includes discernment and awareness of spiritual realities. Without vigilance, we are vulnerable to the subtle attacks of the enemy that seek to weaken our faith, sow doubt, and lead us away from God’s purpose.
Proverbs 4:23 (NASB)
"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."
For Messianic Jewish believers, guarding the heart means being diligent in faith, nurturing their relationship with God, and maintaining a clear understanding of their identity in Yeshua. It also means actively resisting the enemy’s attempts to fill their hearts with doubt, fear, or a sense of disconnection from their heritage.
Understanding the Role of Identity in Spiritual Warfare
The dual identity of a Messianic Jewish believer—as a member of the Jewish people and as a follower of Yeshua—is both a strength and a point of vulnerability in spiritual warfare. The Tanakh repeatedly shows how the enemy seeks to disrupt and erode the identity of God’s people. When Israel was tempted by foreign gods or customs, it often led to spiritual decline and separation from God.
Psalm 106:35-36 (NASB)
"But they mingled with the nations and learned their practices, and served their idols, which became a snare to them."
In a modern context, Messianic Jewish believers face the challenge of balancing cultural influences while remaining faithful to God’s Word. The enemy uses these challenges to sow confusion, suggesting that it is impossible to remain both Jewish and a follower of Yeshua. This confusion can weaken faith, making believers vulnerable to discouragement and spiritual isolation. Being aware of this tactic empowers Messianic Jews to reaffirm their identity with conviction and resist pressures to conform.
The Call to Stand Firm in Faith
The prophets and leaders of Israel modeled the importance of standing firm in the face of opposition. In the book of Nehemiah, we see how Nehemiah and the people of Israel faced fierce resistance as they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Their enemies attempted to thwart them through intimidation and deceit, yet Nehemiah urged the people to remain focused and vigilant.
Nehemiah 4:14 (NASB)
"When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: 'Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.'"
This example of courage and resilience provides a powerful lesson for Messianic Jewish believers today. The call to remain firm in faith requires awareness of the enemy's strategies and a steadfast commitment to God’s purpose. By remembering God's greatness and His faithfulness to protect and empower His people, we find the strength to face spiritual opposition.
The Spiritual Armor for Messianic Jewish Believers
Awareness of spiritual warfare is not enough on its own. God provides His people with spiritual armor, as described in the New Covenant (Ephesians 6). However, the Tanakh also illustrates these concepts, teaching us about the importance of faith, truth, and righteousness in our spiritual battles.
Isaiah 59:17 (NASB)
"He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; and He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle."
This verse in Isaiah portrays God as a warrior clothed in righteousness and salvation, foreshadowing the spiritual armor believers are encouraged to put on. For Messianic Jewish believers, this armor is not only a symbol of God’s protection but also a reminder that they are called to actively participate in spiritual warfare by living in alignment with God’s righteousness, truth, and zeal.
Awareness as a Foundation for Victory
The first step to victory in spiritual warfare is awareness—recognizing that there is a battle and understanding the strategies of the enemy. Hosea warns that a lack of knowledge can lead to destruction.
Hosea 4:6 (NASB)
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."
This verse underscores the importance of knowledge and understanding in spiritual matters. Ignorance makes God’s people vulnerable, whereas awareness of the enemy’s tactics equips believers to resist effectively. For Messianic Jewish believers, awareness involves a deep understanding of their heritage, identity in Yeshua, and the spiritual principles laid out in both the Tanakh and the New Covenant.
Conclusion: Embracing Awareness and Readiness
The battle for faith, identity, and truth is real, and it requires both spiritual and practical readiness. For Messianic Jewish believers, awareness of spiritual warfare is crucial. It calls them to remember their unique identity and purpose, to stand firm in the face of opposition, and to trust in the One who has equipped them with everything they need to overcome.
As we move through the coming chapters, we will explore practical steps and spiritual principles that strengthen our ability to stand firm against the enemy’s schemes. Spiritual warfare is not about fear but about empowerment. Awareness of the enemy’s tactics and of God’s provision through Yeshua enables us to walk boldly in our calling and overcome every obstacle that seeks to separate us from our faith and purpose in Him.
