War with the Word

While culture wars may rage, the new Spiritual Warfare Bible helps to equip believers for engaging in the true battle

America is more divided than ever. How often have you heard that declaration in recent months? From the presidential election to the aftermath of Trayvon Martin’s death to heated debates over health care, the cultural mantra has become that we are a divided people—politically, racially, economically and spiritually. As a result, we make certain public figures out to be Enemy No. 1.

Discerning prayer warriors, however, know that we fight an unseen enemy whose tactics extend far beyond political, social or moral divisions. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” 

Like it or not, spiritual warfare surrounds us—and the enemy is on the attack. We see the aftermath of his assault throughout our nation: an epidemic of pornography and sexual addictions; nearly 55 million babies legally murdered since 1973; radical same-sex agendas that have legalized gay marriage in six states and made homosexuality a cultural norm; increasing restriction on religious freedom.

For many Christians, however, the most pressing war in the spirit realm is fought less on a national front than on the everyday battlefield of the mind, heart and home. We need every weapon and tool we can find to combat the raging spiritual warfare that inundates our daily existence.

Ron Phillips, senior pastor of Abba’s House, a Spirit-filled Southern Baptist church in Hixson, Tenn., has found an effective tool for every Christian in defeating Satan’s lies and deception: the Spiritual Warfare Bible, a unique study Bible released by Charisma House and specifically crafted to address the unseen battle of the spirit realm.

“This Bible is the first to address the invisible spiritual conflict that all believers face,” Phillips says. “It is without a doubt the best new study Bible for serious praying believers. This wonderful work instructs every believer in how to wield the sword of the Spirit.”

Jim Raley, senior pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Daytona Beach, Fla., and a contributor to the study Bible, says he frequently uses his for his Sunday sermons.

“Spiritual warfare is a reality that we deal with every day,” he says. “What’s amazing is that many Christians don’t acknowledge that it does exist. This Bible gives you sound strategies that enable you to overcome the enemy and equips warriors for spiritual warfare.”

This Means War!

Though spiritual warfare was downplayed for years in western churches as something only priests or ministers engaged in, God’s Word teaches us that every believer should enlist in the battle. In Mark 16:17, Jesus commissioned believers to cast out devils in His name. In Luke 10:1-19, the 70 disciples—representative of all Christians—were dispersed and armed with that authority. In John 16:13, Jesus reinforced that the Holy Spirit has been sent to lead us and guide into all truth. In 1 John 4:1-3, we are taught how to identify spirits that are not of God. And 1 Peter 5:9 instructs us to resist the devil and stand firm in our faith.

With the release of groundbreaking spiritual warfare books such as This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti, American churches began to open their eyes to the realities of the supernatural realm. Though hundreds of books have since been penned on spiritual warfare, the Spiritual Warfare Bible is the first of its kind and features more than 250 declarations and prayers to help believers stand on God’s promises when the “enemy comes in like a flood” (Is. 59:19). Along with character profiles, interactive studies and topical warfare prayers, the Bible includes more than 220 “Warfare Basics”—Scripture-based tips that can be applied during everyday spiritual battles.

Among the highlights are study materials from charismatic leaders and best-selling authors including John Bevere, Jentezen Franklin, Francis Frangipane, Judy Jacobs, Fuchsia Pickett, Chuck Pierce, John Eckhardt and Bill Wiese.

Biblical counselor Kristine McGuire of Caledonia, Mich., has used the Spiritual Warfare Bible since its release and is already recommending it to others as a “wonderful resource … that is definitely an important edition to own and use.”

Amazon.com user Mike Harris took his accolades a step further: “This Bible is a masterpiece, well put together in dealing with spiritual warfare. Its notes and cross references are very well intertwined. This will be a welcome edition to many seminary students and those who follow Jesus day by day in a world that is truly involved in warfare.”

It’s true: While our nation seems more engaged now than ever in a culture war, the spiritual war between the kingdoms of light and darkness is also escalating. As warriors of God’s kingdom, we are assured a day in which we can say “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord” (Rev. 11:15). Until then, tools such as the Spiritual Warfare Bible equip us with the “weapons of our warfare” to help in the present-day battles of “pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:4-5).

Shawn A. Akers is an associate editor for Charisma.