[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV

Introduction: The word of God is ever true and a child of God should, by design, have no problem accessing the blessings of the word and the fruits of salvation. However, things do not always come easy because of certain forces that obstruct our flows. This is what makes spiritual warfare necessary.

What is spiritual warfare?
Let me use the experience of Daniel to explain this. You can read the story in Daniel 10. Daniel set his mind to seek God by prayer and fasting to gain an insight into the vision he had. Daniel’s voice was heard in heaven and an angel was sent to respond to him but the response was delayed by the forces of darkness for twenty one days. Let us read the account of the angel: Daniel 10:11-13 KJV

[11] And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. [12] Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. [13] But the prince of the kingdom
of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

If Daniel had not persisted in prayer for a long time, he would have lost the blessings.

Spiritual warfare is the battle raised against the forces of darkness that would want to hinder our spiritual flow or obstruct the physical manifestation of our God given blessings.

When is spiritual warfare necessary?
The devil does not want anyone to serve God so spiritual warfare is necessary if we are to live a life pleasing to God. It is through spiritual warfare that we overcome sin. The devil is labeled as the accuser of the brethren – he lures people into sins and turns round to present a charge against them before God. “….for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10b. He accused Joshua the high priest before God.

Zechariah 3:1 KJV

[1] And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and
Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

We need spiritual warfare to make heaven. Moses was a man after God’s heart. He was on assignment for God but was stopped because of his unbridled anger orchestrated by the devil. When he died, the devil demanded for his body. Moses would have ended in hell but for the merciful intervention of God. Jude 1:9 KJV

[9] Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

We need spiritual warfare when engaging in soul winning which is our statutory assignment. If you are not winning soul as you should, it could be the devil creating distractions. Consider the experience of Paul: Acts 16:17-18 KJV

[17] The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. [18] And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

How to Fight Spiritual Warfare
In intercessory prayer, the focus is on God who answers all petitions. However, spiritual warfare is different! Here, we focus on the devil, not with a plea but with belligerence and intransigence. We resist him and push him off the tracks in prayer. We must know when the enemy is oppressing us and we must rise to fight.
To be effective in warfare, we need to put on the whole armour as espoused by Apostle Paul: Ephesians 6:11,13 KJV

[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The whole armour consists of the belt of truth. Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6) and it is through Christ that we draw the strength to face all battles (Philippians 4:13). We need the girdle of Christ to overcome the devil (1 John 3:8). Another element in the whole armour is the breastplate of righteousness. You have to be above board if you desire to win over the devil. Personal righteousness may not be enough but you need the imputed righteousness of Christ. The third element is the “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”.

This relates to your involvement in soul winning which makes the heavens to support you because you make the hosts of heaven glad. The fourth is the shield of faith without which you cannot overcome the devil. Your faith in God must be strong. The fifth is the helmet of salvation. You must be sure you are born again before you face the devil successfully. And lastly, you need the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. With this, you are able to defend yourself and attack the devil simultaneously.