Safe and Sound: Standing Firm in Spiritual Battles

by David Powlison

Overview

These are dark days, and this is a book about how to stand up in the face of spiritual warfare-for yourself, for your loved ones, for those you counsel. David Powlison carefully unpacks Scripture and various case studies to show how Christ triumphs over all the powers of darkness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781948130738
Publisher:	New Growth Press
Publication date:	09/16/2019
Series:	Helping the Helper
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	1,066,192
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.20(d)

About the Author

David Powlison, MDiv, PhD, (1949-2019) was a teacher, counselor, and the executive director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He wrote many books and minibooks, including Speaking Truth in Love, Seeing with New Eyes, The Biblical Counseling Movement: History and Context, Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness, Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken, God's Grace in Your Suffering, and Safe and Sound. David was also the editor of The Journal of Biblical Counseling.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Harry and Keisha are a couple in your church. Harry doesn't believe in Satan. He doesn't really believe in God either. In his world everything is up to him. There are no outside spiritual forces, just the choices that he makes. Right now he is choosing to have an affair and to leave Keisha, his wife of ten years. He wants you to give him permission to leave.

Joe meets with you and reports that his wife Laura believes that he has a demon of addiction causing him to drink too much. She often prays over him, casting out his demon. At first, he thought her prayers might have cured his drinking problem. His drinking was more under control. But lately things are pretty much the same. He still drinks too much. He wonders if he does have a demon of addiction and if maybe they just haven't found the right way to pray.

Kaitlin just became a Christian. She grew up in a Christian home where she was taught about Jesus but went her own way. She married and had three children and a year ago put her faith in Jesus. Now her husband Tom is adamantly opposed to her going to church and bringing the kids to church. She doesn't know what to do. She comes to you for guidance.

Stacey sees the devil's handiwork in every problem large and small. Once she cast out a demon from her computer. She was certain that a computer virus was the devil's work. When she describes a bad choice she has made, she always frames it as Satan getting the best of her. She really believes, in her words, "the devil made me do it."

* * *

If you were counseling Harry, Joe, Kaitlin, and Stacey, what would you say? Would you talk with them about the spiritual battle they are in and the unseen enemies they face? Or would you be more naturally drawn to talk about matters that are concrete and easier to describe: psychological dynamics, social influences, and physiological givens? How does the uncanny power of darkness fit in with the more accessible factors in a person's life? Is it possible that these seemingly accessible factors are actually far more elusive than we imagine, because they work hand in hand with the weaver of illusions and delusions?

Consider Harry who doesn't believe in God or Satan and yet is in the grip of Satan's lies about who he is actually serving and what brings true happiness. Can we fully understand his choices without some reference to how he is influenced by the lies that come to him from the world around him and his own desires — lies that originate from the dark lord? Or what about Kaitlin. Can she really understand her husband's hatred of all things Christian without reference to the spiritual battle she is now in?

And then there is Stacey. Is she on to something when she makes the devil the "lead actor"? Would we be right to bring the devil into the conversation early and often, as if Satan's activity is the deepest and most significant explanation for everything that goes bad? Or perhaps Joe's wife, Laura, does well to see him as a "devil of the gaps," an extra factor, applicable only when a problem seems complex, bizarre, and particularly hard to solve.

How do we understand the role of the devil in the battles we are in?!

These are hard questions and it is so easy to go in the wrong direction when thinking about the role the Evil One plays in this world. In Part 1 of this book, we will see how Scripture helps us wisely answer these questions. Perhaps the fullest expression of how we are to stand against evil is in Ephesians 6:10 — 20, the classic passage on our participation in the clash between light and darkness. The engine room of this book will be unpacking that passage and trying on, piece by piece, the equipment God has given us for fighting evil. In Part 2, we will illustrate what spiritual warfare looks like in real life with case studies of people facing different battles.

Let's begin with how the Bible leads us to think about spiritual warfare.

THINKING BIBLICALLY ABOUT SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Did you know that the term spiritual warfare never appears in Scripture? It is a pastoral-theological term describing the conflict occurring at the heart of the Christian life. For good, biblical, and practical reasons, Christians have always understood that we face a three-fold moral enemy: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Over this unholy trinity hangs the specter of our last enemy — the shadow of death and death itself. Scripture teaches that all of these enemies are ruled by Satan, the prince of this world.

Even though the term doesn't appear in Scripture, here are four ways to understand spiritual warfare biblically. I will make comments after each.

First, spiritual warfare is a metaphor for standing on the Lord's side in the epic struggle between the Lord and his enemies. Your counselees are taking sides. Your aim as a Christian pastor, counselor, and friend is to protect children of light (Ephesians 5:8) from being wooed back into darkness and to woo the rest of mankind (Ephesians 2:3) out of darkness and into the light.

Second, spiritual warfare is a moral struggle. It is a conflict over who you are, what you believe, and how you live. Our sufferings, whatever their form or cause — and Satan's malice is in the mix of causes — provide occasions either to stumble into darkness or to stand in the light. Our warfare is over which it will be. So, for example, Satan instigated the deaths of Job's children, the loss of his wealth, the disease that wracked his body, and his wife's evil counsel. But, ultimately, the spiritual warfare was for the loyalty of Job's soul. He had to make a moral choice: Who will he serve? Who will be his Shepherd?

Elsewhere in Scripture, the book of James focuses on the moral struggle within the heart. James zeroes in on two drives of the human heart: "I am" and "I want" (James 3:13 — 4:12). He takes the example of interpersonal conflict and shows how the self-exalting "I am god" leads to "I want my way." And, "No matter the cost to others, it's my will that needs to be done." James emphasizes how Satan interacts with our own hearts, what James calls "the flesh." Satan's lies and distortions are part of the mix, but repentance and humility before God will cause him to flee (James 4:7). His searching indictment of the human heart ends with the call to submit to God, resist the devil, and humble your heart.

Third, spiritual warfare is a synonym for the struggles of the Christian life. There are no special insights or special techniques that kick in just because Satan's fingerprints are on something that is happening. It's all one war — and his mark is on every struggle that is wrong and dark.

Fourth, spiritual warfare is a battle for lordship. At its core, it's the battle for who you will serve. In whose image are you being made? Will you resemble the good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep? Or will you grow more and more like Satan, the liar and destroyer? This is a battle that encompasses all of life. Not just for a few odd or bizarre moments, but in every moment of every day we are in a battle for who we will serve.

In summary, Scripture treats spiritual warfare as a normal, everyday part of the Christian life, and so we should as well. It's not about spooky special effects. It's about how we think, feel, live, desire, and act in the presence of our enemies. The ultimate question that runs through everyone's life and through the whole Bible is: Who will be your shepherd? Will you be shepherded by your good heavenly Father or by the liar and murderer — Satan?

Christians are often confused about what role Satan actually does play in the world and in our own lives in particular. But God's Word gives clarity and direction. So let's look more closely at our enemy and what he is up to.

THE REALITY OF SATAN

The Bible never ignores Satan and the forces of evil arrayed against God's people. The Evil One is not the primary actor, but he does not only appear when something unusually strange or evil is going on. The real devil is utterly normal, and his role is fully integrated into daily life. Mundane evil is the devil's business.

At the same time, Scripture never puts Satan and his activities front and center. God puts people and our relationship to him and each other front and center. Then, just often enough, so you don't forget, he lifts the curtain and says, "By the way —" and gives you a glimpse of what's happening backstage.

Jesus gives us one of the clearest descriptions of who Satan is and what he is doing in John 8 as he speaks to the religious leaders who have rejected him.

"Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John ?:43 — 44)

This passage encapsulates the core aspects of Satan's identity and purposes and works and motivations and intentions. Satan is intentionally evil, and he is up to no good. He has desires he wants us to follow. He is a father. He raises children. He disciples his children in evil. Jesus points out that this is nothing new. He traces Satan's lies all the way back to Genesis 3 where the serpent's lies led to death for the human race.

When the apostle John discusses the interplay of flesh, world, and devil throughout his first letter, he sums up the problem in one pithy sentence: "The whole world lies in the power of the evil one" (1 John 5:19). John is not being spooky or seeing a devil behind every bush. As we've seen, human life is defined by the struggle between light and darkness, good and evil, true and false, life and death. The devil sums up all that is dark, evil, false, and deadly.

Similarly, the apostle Paul discusses the same interplay of evils throughout his writing, and most pointedly in Ephesians 2:1 — 3:

You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Peter takes up Jesus's theme of Satan as murderer in 1 Peter where he describes the work of Satan as oriented around the experiences of suffering and oppression from outside forces. The issue of moral likeness is also there, but the context is how to remain faithful as you are faced with his murderous threats and intentions. Peter is emphasizing how Satan is in the world as a roaring lion seeking to devour God's people and destroy their faith by brute force (1 Peter 5:8).

Taking all of these passages together, we see that the devil plays an underlying, behind-the-scenes role in the everyday problems of sin, misery, and death. But, again, the Bible does not lead us to make the liar and murderer the focus of ministry. People and their relationship with God are the focus. So, do speak of the devil, but don't talk too much. The way you pay attention to Satan is analogous to how you pay attention to other influencing factors: bodily problems, personal history, cultural and peer influences, situational stressors, and sufferings. They are in the mix, but the person as a moral responder always comes front and center.

We will now go deeper with Ephesians. In his letter, Paul emphasizes Satan's work in the world through schemes and lies and gives us direction on how to stand against Satan's lies. As we will see, this is not just a defensive posture. This is a call to active resistance.

CHAPTER 2

How Paul Envisions Spiritual Warfare

As image-bearers of God, we all have an imaginative capacity. When we think about a coming event, we have a whole set of associations that help us envision what that will be like. Take, for example, when snow is predicted. Depending on your point of view, how you envision that event will vary. Some people envision a problem, a hassle — a struggle to shovel, to get the car out, to get to work. Children usually envision a snow storm quite differently. They are excited and happy — no school, sleeping in, sledding. I grew up in Hawaii and so I envision a snowstorm as a special treat — one of life's great joys.

In a similar way, how we envision spiritual warfare will affect how we think about our lives as Christians. It will affect how you seek to help and counsel others. Some Christians envision spiritual warfare as a scary movie with ghosts and bizarre special effects. Others don't envision the battle we are in at all. They don't live in the reality that we are up against forces bigger than ourselves, forces that are highly deceptive, and are vying for our allegiance.

Paul, in Ephesians, provides the counterpoint to fear and to indifference. In the previous chapter, we saw four ways the Bible helps us understand spiritual warfare. To build upon that understanding, we will here hone in on four key truths Paul offers us about how to envision spiritual warfare. These truths will clear up our misconceptions about spiritual warfare and the role of the armor of God. Then we will look at how "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might" is the overarching theme of all of Ephesians, including the section on spiritual warfare.

Here is Ephesians 6:10 — 20, the passage we will work with over these next two chapters:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

First, it is important to remember that Ephesians 6:10 — 20 is not introducing a new topic. Paul begins this section by saying "finally" and that's our signal that he is giving a summary of his letter. This passage draws together everything that Paul has already been saying, and puts an exclamation point on it. Here are six key elements that thread through the whole letter and simply come to a climax in this conclusion.

• Jesus Christ is the Lord. Throughout Ephesians, Paul shows how God's grace has brought us into his Son's mercy, power, and mission. At the center of spiritual warfare is not the devil. It's Jesus Christ.

• God is powerful and merciful. Paul has repeatedly affirmed the life-giving strength of God working within us (1:19; 2:5, 10; 3:16 — 20).

• The spiritual forces of evil — devil, flesh, world — are active. Paul has already brought in what we might call this dark trinity of evil throughout the letter and how they work in synergy with each other. He has already described the cosmic authorities (1:21; 3:10), the deadly hold of the world, the evil and darkness of fallen hearts (2:1 — 3; 4:17 — 19), and our call to stand against the devil's purposes (4:27).

• We live in difficult times. Paul has previously called us to be alert and wise when the days are dark (4:14; 5:3 — 17).

• We are to walk as children of light. Ephesians has already spoken in great detail about how faith, love, and wisdom (1:12 — 19; 2:8 — 10; 3:14 — 6:9) supplant foolishness, alienation, and hardness of heart (2:1 — 3; 2:11 — 13; 4:14; 4:17 — 5:18). At the heart of Ephesians as a whole is the battle for the loyalty of our hearts. Do we walk as children of light or children of darkness? Whose voice do we listen to? What will shape our choices and our relationships? These are the crucial questions that Paul is focusing on throughout Ephesians.

• Pray for others. Paul has already given vivid, first-person examples of how to intercede for each other about what we most need (1:16 — 23; 3:14 — 21).

(Continues…)

---

Excerpted from "Safe And Sound"
by .
Copyright © 2019 David Powlison.
Excerpted by permission of New Growth Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part 1 What Is Spiritual Warfare?

Chapter 1 The Reality of Spiritual Warfare 10

Chapter 2 How Paul Envisions Spiritual Warfare 18

Chapter 3 God's Weapons and God's Call 26

Part 2 Counseling in the Reality of Spiritual Warfare

Chapter 4 Strength and Guidance for Personal Ministry 40

Chapter 5 Fighting the Normal Battles: Anger, Fear, Escapism 47

Chapter 6 The Battle with the Shadow of Death 55

Chapter 7 In Conflict with the Occult 61

Chapter 8 The Battle with Animism 68

Chapter 9 Spiritual Warfare Focuses on the Person 72

Chapter 10 The Last Battle 77

Appendix: Jesus's Mode of Ministry and Ours 85