DEFINITION | SPIRITUAL WARFARE

1. Definition of Spiritual Warfare

a) Some Charismatics use the phrase 'Spiritual Warfare' for actions they believe fight demonic powers. This type of warfare is completely unrelated to resisting the devil spoken by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6.

i) 10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the might of His strength. 11. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil 12. Because we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities and against powers, against the world rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual power of wickedness in high places. 13. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having worked out all things, to stand. (Ephesians 6) 

b) The apostle Paul, in his many letters, does use references related to human warfare as symbolic of what must be done in the spiritual realm (2Corinthians 10:3-5, 1Timothy 1:18, etc.). Charismatics, however, have a different version of what it takes to battle spiritually. For them, combating evil involves over-the-top affirmations by a religious leader, where countless audience members declare they possess the power to constrain Satan or his demons in a city. This type of strategy is sometimes referred to as "spiritual mapping."

c) Bill Randles, in his book Making War in the Heavenlies: A Different Look, takes a critical view of some of the tactics used by those who engage in 'spiritual warfare.' He reveals the steps some take to 'free' a city from the bondage of an evil entity.

i) "According to Dick Bernal, the way to take a city is fourfold. 1. Proclaim a fast with prayer. 2. Identify the principality (e.g. the evil spirit that rules) over the city. 3. Determine its (the evil spirit's) geographical location. 4. Call him or her by name " (page 13)