Does Spiritual Warfare Exist?
Understanding the Spiritual Reality Around Us
We live in a culture that prizes rationality, science, and the observable world. So when the Bible talks about angels, demons, miracles, or spiritual warfare, it can feel like ancient thinking—out of step with modern life. But what if we're missing something real and important because we’ve dismissed what we can't see?
In this sermon excerpt, we wrestle with the unseen realm, our assumptions about science, and the biblical truth about spiritual warfare.
A Clashing Worldview
"Come on. Pastor, do you really think that there are evil spirits that tempt me, engage our will, and pull us into sin—or into good and evil ideas? Come on, we’re people of science. Spirits? Demons? Angels? Heaven? Hell? Miracles? Resurrections? Are you serious?"
We all have to figure out how to process this. I'm just telling you, there’s good doctrine and there are things you can believe about everlasting life. The first thing we have to acknowledge is this: there is a reality of spirits. There is a world that we do not see, and that doesn’t jive with the enlightened, secular world today.
Then and Now: A Shift in Frameworks
In John's day, they had a transcendental frame. Think of it like a chain-link fence—there's the spirit world and there's the physical world. They believed the spirit world and the physical world could interact. This wasn't shocking to them. When he’s talking about spirits—holy spirits, evil spirits—they’re like, "Yeah, I get it."
Today, we don’t hold that same view. We live in what philosophers call an immanent frame. It’s like a steel wall that closes us in. Everything is limited to the physical, to science. There isn’t a spiritual world to be afraid of. We live in a rational, naturalistic Western mindset that says the scientific method explains everything. If I can’t see it, touch it, taste it, smell it, or hear it—it doesn’t exist.
The Role of Science and the Supernatural
"Do you really think that there are evil spirits that tempt me, engage our will, and influence good and evil ideas?"
Science tells us it’s part of our DNA, our family tree, our social structures. Behavior is explained by environment and biology—not by the soul or spirit.
So, why do we pray about the weather? How can we believe a supernatural God controls storms when satellites can predict them and computers can model them?
Here’s what I’ll say: Science is our natural observation of the way a supernatural God has made the world. The fruit of science is ultimately the work of the Almighty God sustaining His creation.
Cultural Contradictions
It’s fascinating—many people who scoff at angels or demons are also interested in ghost tours, paranormal experiences, mediums, seances, and Ouija boards. But when it comes to biblical spirituality? Heaven and hell? Come on.
Someone codes on the surgery table, and everyone wants to know: Was there a light? Did you move toward the light? What did you see? If they’re revived, we’re glued to their story.
Even self-proclaimed naturalists at a funeral won’t say, “Poor John’s just taking a dirt nap.” No, they’ll say, “He’s looking down on us. He’s in a better place.” Or, “I saw a butterfly land on my hand—I think it was John.”
I’m not here to make light of grief. We all process loss in different ways. I’m simply pointing out that there’s good doctrine—true, biblical teaching about everlasting life—that brings real comfort and understanding even in life’s hardest moments.
A Reality the Bible Affirms
Superstitions run wild. Watch baseball players avoid stepping on the foul lines as they take the field. Why? They're superstitious.
There is an unseen spiritual reality that exists.
The Bible doesn’t just affirm it—it elevates it. It tells us that what’s going on in the spiritual realm is called spiritual warfare.
There is a cosmic battle taking place—good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, light vs. darkness—and it’s happening all the time, all around you.
Spiritual warfare is biblical. And we are all—whether you want to be or not—involved in the war.