Understanding The Relevance Of Spiritual Warfare: Spiritual Warfare In Modern Times For Messianic Believers
Overview Of Spiritual Warfare: Understanding The Relevance Of Spiritual Warfare In The Life Of A Messianic Jewish Believer
Spiritual warfare is not a concept restricted to the pages of ancient texts or distant historical events. It is a present-day reality that affects every believer, and it holds particular significance for Messianic Jewish believers, who walk the delicate line between embracing their Jewish heritage and the fulfillment of God's promises through Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah. In this chapter, we will explore the nature of spiritual warfare and its relevance for Messianic Jewish believers today, anchored in the teachings of both the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) and the New Covenant (Brit Chadashah).
The Nature of Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare refers to the ongoing battle between the forces of light and darkness, truth and deception, holiness and sin. It is not just a physical battle but one that engages the spiritual realm. The Tanakh provides numerous examples of how God's people were engaged in spiritual battles, both directly and indirectly. These battles were often a reflection of the larger cosmic struggle between God's purposes and the forces that oppose them.
1. The Cosmic Battle: A War of Principalities
From the beginning, the Bible presents the reality of spiritual conflict. In the opening chapters of Genesis, we encounter the serpent (Satan) in the Garden of Eden, who seeks to deceive humanity and lead it away from God’s perfect plan. This initial conflict between good and evil sets the tone for the entire narrative of Scripture.
In the Tanakh, we see that spiritual battles are often fought on the national and personal levels. The Israelites’ wars were not only physical but were also spiritual struggles. In Exodus 17:8-16, when the Amalekites attacked Israel, Moses raised his hands in prayer to God, symbolizing spiritual warfare. As long as his hands were lifted in intercession, Israel prevailed; when they fell, they were losing. This passage teaches us that the victory is not in military strength alone but in seeking God through prayer and dependence on Him.
Exodus 17:11-13 (NASB)
"So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed; and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword."
This passage highlights that spiritual victory requires active participation in prayer, unity with others, and dependence on God’s intervention. For Messianic Jews today, this reminds us that while we are engaged in spiritual battles, the true victory lies in our relationship with God and our trust in His provision.
2. The Prophetic Perspective of Spiritual Warfare
Throughout the Tanakh, God’s prophets revealed the spiritual dimensions of Israel's struggles. The prophet Zechariah speaks of how God’s people are protected by divine forces and how the spirit of grace and supplication is essential in fighting spiritual battles.
Zechariah 12:10 (NASB)
"I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn."
This passage, which is also quoted in the New Covenant as referring to Yeshua’s suffering (John 19:37), shows how spiritual warfare often involves the rejection and suffering of the Messiah, yet it also promises ultimate restoration. For Messianic Jews, this prophetic vision calls us to recognize the role of Yeshua in our spiritual battles—His suffering has secured our victory, and His Spirit empowers us to stand firm in the face of opposition.
3. Spiritual Warfare and the Messiah’s Role
As Messianic believers, we understand that Yeshua is the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies in the Tanakh. He is not only the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 but also the conquering King who will ultimately defeat all spiritual forces. Yeshua's role in spiritual warfare is central to our victory. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He has triumphed over the powers of darkness.
Isaiah 53:3-5 (NASB)
"He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed."
The suffering of the Messiah on the cross is not merely an event in history but the decisive battle in spiritual warfare. Yeshua’s victory over sin and death is the foundation of our victory in the present spiritual battles. The cross symbolizes triumph over the forces of darkness, and it is through His victory that we, too, have been given the authority to resist the enemy.
4. The Battle for the Heart and Mind
One of the key areas in which spiritual warfare takes place is in the mind. Throughout the Tanakh, we see that the battle often begins with thoughts—whether it's the temptation of Eve in the Garden or the constant turning away from God that plagued Israel. In the New Covenant, Paul warns believers about the necessity of taking every thought captive to obey the Messiah (2 Corinthians 10:5). For Messianic Jewish believers, this means actively engaging in the battle for our thoughts, aligning them with God's Word, and rejecting lies that the enemy seeks to plant in our hearts.
Proverbs 4:23 (NASB)
"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."
The heart in the Hebrew Scriptures is often seen as the center of decision-making and thought. Guarding our hearts means protecting our inner world from the influence of negative thoughts, lies, and temptations that the enemy seeks to sow.
5. The Call to Stand Firm in the Faith
In the New Covenant, Paul writes to the believers in Ephesus about the spiritual armor necessary to stand firm in the face of spiritual opposition. This armor includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. For Messianic Jews, this call to stand firm is not just about defending our faith against external threats but also standing firm in the truth of who we are in the Messiah.
Ephesians 6:11-13 (NASB)
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."
Conclusion: The Relevance of Spiritual Warfare Today
As Messianic Jewish believers, we are uniquely positioned to understand the fullness of spiritual warfare. We stand as witnesses to both the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Messiah and the ongoing spiritual battles that we face as individuals and as a community. Spiritual warfare is not just a theological concept but a present reality in our lives. By embracing the full counsel of God’s Word—both the Tanakh and the New Covenant—we can stand firm in the victory secured by Yeshua, recognizing that through Him, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
In the following chapters, we will explore how to engage in this warfare, how to walk in the authority of Yeshua, and how to use the weapons God has given us to stand victorious in these modern times. Spiritual warfare is not just about fighting against external forces; it is also about transforming our own hearts and minds to be aligned with God's will, so that we may live as faithful and victorious witnesses of the Messiah in a world that desperately needs His light.
