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SPIRITUAL WARFARE

In his book, "The Barbarian Way", Erwin McManus suggests that believers need to rethink what it means to be born again. He writes, "When we are born again, we are dropped not into a maternity ward, but into war zone. Our birthplace is less mother's womb and more battlefield earth." McManus says when a person enters the kingdom of God; they don't find safe zones or waiting rooms. There isn't even a boot camp. He writes, "It's on-the job, on-the field training. You get to take your first steps of the new life in the middle of the battlefield. The Scriptures are quite clear about this." McManus adds, "We are born into a war. We may feel like children, but we are warriors."

—"The Barbarian Way", Erwin McManus, page 126-127. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Eph 6:12-13 CEV "We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm."

A study by the Barna organization recently found American Christians hold diverse and inconsistent views about the existence of spiritual beings. Three quarters of those surveyed agreed that God is the all-powerful Creator who rules the universe, but a majority of the people surveyed did not believe Satan or the Holy Spirit were real. When asked if Satan was a symbolic figure representing evil, 60 percent of the respondents agreed. 6 out of 10 people surveyed said they believe the Holy Spirit is a symbol of God’s presence and power, but not a living being.

Author of the study, George Barna says, “It’s hard for achievement-driven, self reliant, independent people to believe their lives can be impacted by unseen forces. At the same time, through sheer force of repetition, many Americans intellectually accept some ideas - such as the fact that you either side with God or Satan, there’s no in-between – that do not get translated into practice.” 

--Most American Christians Do Not Believe that Satan or the Holy Spirit exist, http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/260-most-american-christians-do-not-believe-that-satan-or-the-holy-spirit-exist;  Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Ephesians 6:11-13 GNB Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.