Awakened to the Battle: A Fresh Call to Spiritual Warfare
Argentine leader Ed Silvoso once warned, “The Church in the West today presents too easy a target for Satan. We do not believe we are at war. We do not know where the battleground is located, and in spite of our weapons, they are neither loaded nor aimed at the right target. We are unaware of how vulnerable we are. We are better fitted for a parade than an amphibious landing.”
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “…in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Paul, as a spiritual leader, affirmed that we can and should know the enemy’s tactics. In that passage, he highlights how an unforgiving spirit gives Satan a foothold in the life of the church. His words challenge us: spiritual leaders must be alert to how the enemy seeks to undermine God’s work.
The Enemy’s Playbook is Exposed
Scripture reveals the fall of Satan (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–19), his strategies in Eden (Genesis 3:1–10), his assaults on Jesus (Matthew 4), his defeat through the cross (Hebrews 2:14), and his ultimate doom (Revelation 20:10). The Bible equips us so we won’t be outwitted.
Robert Clinton, in his Commentary on 1 & 2 Corinthians: Problematic Apostolic Leadership, notes that Paul’s writings contain critical insights on spiritual warfare. In one article, “Spiritual Warfare—Satan’s Tactics”, Clinton identifies key passages where Paul exposes Satan’s schemes. These form the foundation for a series of devotional reflections I am preparing for spiritual leaders—so we can build spiritual resilience, sharpen our dependence on God, and grow in discernment.
Clinton reminds us: “There are over 89 passages in Scripture that deal with or mention the Devil or Satan, along with others that discuss demonic influence.” Our focus will be on 14 key Pauline texts, always interpreted in light of the whole counsel of God.
14 Key Pauline Texts on Spiritual Warfare
Romans 16:17–20 — Relational Viruses
1 Corinthians 5:5; 6:12–20 — Sexual Temptation & Substance Abuse
1 Corinthians 7:3–5 — Unmet Sexual Needs in Marriage
2 Corinthians 2:7–11 — An Unforgiving Spirit
2 Corinthians 11:14–15 — Deceptive Leaders and Slick Teaching
Ephesians 4:25–27 — Unchecked Anger
2 Corinthians 12:7 — Sickness and Disabilities
Ephesians 6:10–20 — Lies, Half-Truths, and Unreliable Perspectives
1 Thessalonians 2:17–19 — Closed Doors
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 — False Signs and Wonders
1 Timothy 1:18–20 — Severed Conscience
1 Timothy 3:6 — Immaturity and Pride
1 Timothy 4:1–4 — False Teachers
2 Timothy 2:24–26 — Spiritual Blindness
Our Mission, Our Resistance
Missional advancement always engages missional resistance (Matthew 16:18–19). My prayer is that we, as spiritual leaders, would engage these truths, strengthen our spiritual muscles, and walk in Spirit-empowered discernment. Let’s refuse to be caught off guard, and let’s equip the church for battle—not for a parade, but for victory in Christ.
