WTF is Spiritual Warfare?

[Athene]

Former Pentecostal churcher here. 

It's a bullshit term for what normal people recognize as personal struggles and/or rough spots. Charismatic denominations have a strong tendency to attribute particularly trying strife, illness, tragedy, difficulty overcoming lust, rage, etc., directly to Satan/demonic spirits who are actively seeking to turn believers away from the their True God and Creator. 

It requires more intensive prayer which would include fasting and the appointment of an entire prayer team or at least a few select ''prayer warriors" who have been recognized to be particularly gifted the practice of intercessory prayer.

You were one of these?

---

---

Oh Thena, you poor baby!  That must have been awful.  Did you get away young at least?

I attended Pentecostal church. The Holy Spirit never saw fit to anoint me with such spiritual gifts- speaking in tongues, I presume (I didn't watch the vid). I was told it was because I was suppressing or "quenching the Spirit". Never bought that assessment though, even as a believer. I was always convinced the yammering and antics were all lies and stupid showmanship.

I switched denominations on my own as young adult (Episcopalian) in search of more QUIET, contemplative church. Wasn't feeling that either, so I just said fuck it, and stopped churchgoing altogether.

[Minimalist]

The video is just proof that white people can't dance.

[Edwardo Piet]

Just a fancy way of saying good vs evil.

But why not a groovy way of saying good over evil?

https://youtu.be/loFDn94oZJ0

Why not this?

---

The video is just proof that white people can't dance.

Michael Jackson could dance and he was white as fuck.

[Minimalist]

That doesn't count.

[Athene]

Speaking of speaking in tongues...funny vid.
HINT to narrator: It's ALL fake, bruh. Seriously.

[Godscreated]

Vodka!

 That's a first class spirit demon.

---

I didn't hear anything like this during my Catholic upbringing? Maybe I wasn't paying attention, but this is a new term for me. I googled it and read a bunch of spooky shit about demons and whatnot, but I couldn't find anything like a dictionary definition. So what is it?

 It's a battle with the self, that is our sinful nature. Many want to attribute their spiritual battle to Satan, they do not realize Satan is frying bigger fish. Most Christians are minnows in a pond blaming anyone but themselves for there spiritual troubles. They will start praying for God to move Satan aside when they should be asking Him to help them overcome their own self righteousness or whatever else it is they are doing to hurt their relationship with God. When God doesn't answer their prayers because they have prayed for the wrong thing they give up and leave the church, this should sound familiar to some here. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying there are those who go through great spiritual battles with Satan or his demons, they would be the big fish in the ocean.

GC

[Drich]

Some believe that we are under constant attack/being tested by satan. This idea comes from Paul's letter to the epheasians chapter 6:

10 To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 11 Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. 12 Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. 13 That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.

14 So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. 15 On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. 16 And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. 17 Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.

The doctrine is right to a degree but often time I see people in church take this idea too far, meaning they must fight legalistically in their walk with Christ (observe every rule of the new and ot) as part of thier fight or they could loose their salvation. Paul in his letters never mentions any of this So for me the church doctrine of spiritual war fare tends to go too far.

[vulcanlogician]

YAY! I was hoping a Christian or two might come in and give a perspective on this. Thanks for your input, guys.

 It's a battle with the self, that is our sinful nature. Many want to attribute their spiritual battle to Satan, they do not realize Satan is frying bigger fish. Most Christians are minnows in a pond blaming anyone but themselves for there spiritual troubles. They will start praying for God to move Satan aside when they should be asking Him to help them overcome their own self righteousness or whatever else it is they are doing to hurt their relationship with God. When God doesn't answer their prayers because they have prayed for the wrong thing they give up and leave the church, this should sound familiar to some here. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying there are those who go through great spiritual battles with Satan or his demons, they would be the big fish in the ocean.

GC

So do you think exorcisms, laying on hands, and whatnot are misplaced spiritual efforts? I guess what I'm asking for is to explain what you are saying: are you redefining the concept of spiritual warfare or shaking your finger at it? At any rate, you can see why nonbelievers might view demonic possession and related cultural phenomena as oddities, I'm sure.

We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness.

...

The doctrine is right to a degree but often time I see people in church take this idea too far, meaning they must fight legalistically in their walk with Christ (observe every rule of the new and ot) as part of thier fight or they could loose their salvation. Paul in his letters never mentions any of this So for me the church doctrine of spiritual war fare tends to go too far.

First thing, right off the bat, Paul needs to make up his mind about whether Christians should obey earthly authorities because they were put there by God or spiritually rebel against the empires of evil. If you're going to say something nuanced like the two are not mutually exclusive, please explain yourself. (Not that I'm putting words in your mouth or anything.)

Regardless, the concept of spiritual warfare seems like a really divisive thing. It tries to paint neutral forces as "evil" as I see it. Add to that the spookiness of possession and otherworldly things and I end up seeing it as just another complete break from reality on the part of the theists.

[Drich]

YAY! I was hoping a Christian or two might come in and give a perspective on this. Thanks for your input, guys.  

 It's a battle with the self, that is our sinful nature. Many want to attribute their spiritual battle to Satan, they do not realize Satan is frying bigger fish. Most Christians are minnows in a pond blaming anyone but themselves for there spiritual troubles. They will start praying for God to move Satan aside when they should be asking Him to help them overcome their own self righteousness or whatever else it is they are doing to hurt their relationship with God. When God doesn't answer their prayers because they have prayed for the wrong thing they give up and leave the church, this should sound familiar to some here. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying there are those who go through great spiritual battles with Satan or his demons, they would be the big fish in the ocean.

GC

So do you think exorcisms, laying on hands, and whatnot are misplaced spiritual efforts? I guess what I'm asking for is to explain what you are saying: are you redefining the concept of spiritual warfare or shaking your finger at it? At any rate, you can see why nonbelievers might view demonic possession and related cultural phenomena as oddities, I'm sure.

We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness.

...

The doctrine is right to a degree but often time I see people in church take this idea too far, meaning they must fight legalistically in their walk with Christ (observe every rule of the new and ot) as part of thier fight or they could loose their salvation. Paul in his letters never mentions any of this So for me the church doctrine of spiritual war fare tends to go too far.

First thing, right off the bat, Paul needs to make up his mind about whether Christians should obey earthly authorities because they were put there by God or spiritually rebel against the empires of evil. If you're going to say something nuanced like the two are not mutually exclusive, please explain yourself. (Not that I'm putting words in your mouth or anything.)

Regardless, the concept of spiritual warfare seems like a really divisive thing. It tries to paint neutral forces as "evil" as I see it. Add to that the spookiness of possession and otherworldly things and I end up seeing it as just another complete break from reality on the part of the theists.

Paul does have his mind made up. In that earth authorities and empires of evil are two seperate things. Earth authority would be a government or society.. empire of evil would be a corrupt spiritual organization.

If you read that bit I left you I do not see how you can see the evil as being netural. Because when Paul Speaks about defending one's self with the "armor of God, the defense is from direct attack which in nature is not neutral.

[vulcanlogician]

Paul does have his mind made up. In that earth authorities and empires of evil are two seperate things. Earth authority would be a government or society.. empire of evil would be a corrupt spiritual organization.

If you read that bit I left you I do not see how you can see the evil as being netural. Because when Paul Speaks about defending one's self with the "armor of God, the defense is from direct attack which in nature is not neutral.

Okay, I guess I can accept your answer on that. Still, lots of room for separate interpretations.