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Spiritual Warfare and Perpetual Enemies in Christian Life

Christian life is often characterized as a spiritual warfare, a continuous struggle against various adversaries [11, 12]. This concept is deeply rooted in biblical texts and has been expounded upon by theologians across different traditions. The nature of these "perpetual enemies" encompasses spiritual forces, the fallen human nature, and the world system opposed to God.

The biblical understanding of enemies is multifaceted. The Psalms frequently lament the presence of adversaries and enemies who reproach God's name and triumph over the righteous [1, 2]. One passage describes a soul living "with the haters of peace" [3]. While some of these references may point to human antagonists, the broader Christian understanding extends to non-human entities and internal struggles. For instance, Deuteronomy speaks of God thrusting out the enemy from before His people [5], and Psalms 78:66 describes God striking adversaries backward, putting them to "perpetual reproach" [6].

The New Testament further clarifies the nature of this spiritual conflict. The apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6:12, states that believers do not wrestle against "flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." This passage is crucial for understanding that the primary enemies in spiritual warfare are not human beings, but unseen spiritual forces [16]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Ephesians 6:10, emphasizes that Christian life is a warfare not only against the common calamities of life but also against "the opposition of the powers of darkness" and other enemies that seek to separate believers from God and heaven [11]. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 Timothy 6:12, identifies these enemies as Satan and his principalities, sin and the lusts of the flesh, the world and its inhabitants, and false teachers [12].

The "warfare of saints" is described as not being "after the flesh" (2 Corinthians 10:3) but rather a "good warfare" and the "good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 1:18-19, 6:12) [10]. This warfare is waged under Christ as the captain and under the Lord's banner, with faith as a key weapon [10]. Christians are instructed to be prepared for trials and hostility from a sinful world, as noted in 1 Peter 4:12-19 [15].

Beyond external spiritual forces, the internal struggle against the "flesh" is also a significant aspect of spiritual warfare [10]. The "flesh" here refers to the fallen human nature, which is inherently at enmity with God and prone to sin. John Chrysostom, in his Homilies on Acts & Romans, discusses the "grosser motion of the mind" and the "spiritual mind," highlighting the internal conflict between carnal desires and spiritual inclinations [18]. This internal battle is against "sin, and the lusts of the flesh" [12].

The world itself is also identified as an enemy [10]. This refers to the system of values, desires, and institutions that are opposed to God's will. John Gill, commenting on Psalms 120:5, explains that those who hate peace are at enmity with God, Christ, the Gospel, and the ordinances of the Gospel [17]. The world's opposition can manifest as hostility towards those who seek to live godly lives [15].

Finally, death is presented as a perpetual enemy. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:26, states that "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." John Gill clarifies that this refers to corporeal death, which is a consequence of sin and contrary to human nature [14]. While Christ has abolished eternal death for His people, corporeal death remains an enemy until the final resurrection [14]. The concept of "eternal death" or "hell" is described as the miserable fate of the wicked, characterized by banishment from God, society with the devil, a lake of fire, and everlasting punishment [7, 8, 9].

Despite the presence of these enemies, Christian teaching emphasizes that believers are not left to fight alone. God defends against enemies [4], and Christ has authority over the realm of spiritual evil [16]. The redemption offered through Christ is seen as a deliverance from spiritual enemies such as sin, Satan, the world, the law, death, and hell, demonstrating God's enduring mercy [13]. Furthermore, Christians are called to love their human enemies, pray for them, and assist them, overcoming evil with kindness [4].

Sources

  1. Psalms “How long, God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever? -- Psalms 74:10”
  2. Psalms “How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me? -- Psalms 13:2”
  3. Psalms “Psalms 120:6 (BBE) — My soul has long been living with the haters of peace.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Enemies — Christ prayed for his -- Lu 23:34. The lives of, to be spared -- 1Sa 24:10; 2Sa 16:10,11. The goods of, to be taken care of -- Ex 23:4,5. Should be Loved. -- Mt 5:44. Prayed for. -- Ac 7:60. Assisted. -- Pr 25:21; Ro 12:20. Overcome by kindness. -- 1Sa 26:21. Rejoice not at the misfortunes of -- Job 31:29. Rejoice not at the failings of -- Pr 24:17. Desire not the death of -- 1Ki 3:11. Curse them not -- Job 31:30. Be affectionately concerned for -- Ps 35:13. The friendship of, deceitful -- 2Sa 20:9,10; Pr 26:26; 27:6; Mt 26:48,49. God defends against -- Ps ”
  5. Deuteronomy “The eternal God is your dwelling place. Underneath are the everlasting arms. He thrust out the enemy from before you, and said, ‘Destroy!’ -- Deuteronomy 33:27”
  6. Psalms “He struck his adversaries backward. He put them to a perpetual reproach. -- Psalms 78:66”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Eternal death — The miserable fate of the wicked in hell (Matt. 25:46; Mark 3:29; Heb. 6:2; 2 Thess. 1:9; Matt. 18:8; 25:41; Jude 1:7). The Scripture as clearly teaches the unending duration of the penal sufferings of the lost as the "everlasting life," the "eternal life" of the righteous. The same Greek words in the New Testament (aion, aionios, aidios) are used to express (1) the eternal existence of God (1 Tim. 1:17; Rom. 1:20; 16:26); (2) of Christ (Rev. 1:18); (3) of the Holy Ghost (Heb. 9:14); and (4) the eternal duration of the sufferings of the lost (Matt. 25”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death, Eternal — The necessary consequence of sin -- Ro 6:16,21; 8:13; Jas 1:15. The wages of sin -- Ro 6:23. The portion of the wicked -- Mt 25:41,46; Ro 1:32. The way to, described -- Ps 9:17; Mt 7:13. Self-righteousness leads to -- Pr 14:12. God alone can inflict -- Mt 10:28; Jas 4:12. Is described as Banishment from God. -- 2Th 1:9. Society with the devil &c. -- Mt 25:41. A lake of fire. -- Re 19:20; 21:8. The worm that dies not. -- Mr 9:44. Outer darkness. -- Mt 25:30. A mist of darkness for ever. -- 2Pe 2:17. Indignation, wrath, &c. -- Ro 2:8,9. Is called Destr”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hell — The place of disembodied spirits -- Ac 2:31. Which Christ visited. -- Lu 23:43; Ac 2:31; 1Pe 3:19. Contains, a place of rest, Abraham's bosom. -- Lu 16:23. Paradise. -- Lu 23:43. And a place of torment. -- Lu 16:23. The place of future punishment Destruction from the presence of God. -- 2Th 1:9. Described as Everlasting punishment. -- Mt 25:46. Everlasting fire. -- Mt 25:41. Everlasting burnings. -- Isa 33:14. A furnace of fire. -- Mt 13:42,50. A lake of fire. -- Re 20:15. Fire and brimstone. -- Re 14:10. Unquenchable fire. -- Mt 3:12. Devouring fire. -- Isa 3”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Warfare of Saints — Is not after the flesh -- 2Co 10:3. Is a good warfare -- 1Ti 1:18,19. Called the good fight of faith -- 1Ti 6:12. Is against The devil. -- Ge 3:15; 2Co 2:11; Eph 6:12; Jas 4:7; 1Pe 5:8; Re 12:17. The flesh. -- Ro 7:23; 1Co 9:25-27; 2Co 12:7; Ga 5:17; 1Pe 2:11. Enemies. -- Ps 38:19; 56:2; 59:3. The world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4,5. Death. -- 1Co 15:26; Heb 2:14,15. Often arises from the opposition of friends or relatives -- Mic 7:6; Mt 10:35,36. To be carried on Under Christ, as our captain. -- Heb 2:10. Under the Lord's banner. -- Ps 60:4. With fait”
  11. Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 6:10: Here is a general exhortation to constancy in our Christian course, and to encourage in our Christian warfare. Is not our life a warfare? It is so; for we struggle with the common calamities of human life. Is not our religion much more a warfare? It is so; for we struggle with the opposition of the powers of darkness, and with many enemies who would keep us from God and heaven. We have enemies to fight against, a captain to fight for, a banner to fight under, and certain rules of war by which we are to govern ourselves. "Finally, my brethren (Eph 6:10), it yet ”
  12. 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith,.... The apostle suggests to Timothy, that he had other business to do than to mind the things of this world; his life was a state of warfare; he was a soldier, and was not to entangle himself with the things of this life; he had many enemies to engage with, as Satan, and his principalities and powers; sin, and the lusts of the flesh; the world, and the men of it, and a great fight of afflictions to endure with them; as also false teachers, with, whom particularly he was to fight the good fight of faith, that so the truth of the Gospel”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 136:24: And hath redeemed us from our enemies,.... Temporal enemies, tyrants, and oppressors: and spiritual ones, sin, Satan, the world, the law, death, and hell; for his mercy endureth for ever; as is clearly seen in redemption by Jesus Christ, where mercy and truth have met together; and which is a distinguishing mercy to the sons of men, not granted to angels.”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 15:25: The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Not eternal death; for though that is abolished by Christ with respect to his own people, who shall never be hurt by it, and over whom it shall have no power; yet the wicked will always be subject to it, and under the dominion of it: but a corporeal one is here meant; which is an enemy, the fruit, effect, and wages of sin; the penalty and curse of the law; is contrary to human nature, and destructive of the work of God's hands: it is, indeed, through the blood, righteousness, and sacrifice of Christ, become the ”
  15. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
  16. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:12: 6:12 Believers should not consider human beings to be their enemies. Instead, the opposition they face comes from the unseen world of spiritual evil, and Christ has authority over that realm (see 1:21-22).”
  17. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 120:5: My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. The God of peace, against whom their carnal minds are enmity itself; Christ, the Prince of peace, the Man, the Peace, who has made peace by the blood of his cross, whom the world hates; the sons of peace, the quiet in the land, against whom the wicked devise evil things; the Gospel of peace, which the natural man abhors as foolishness; the way of peace, pardon, and salvation by Christ, which carnal men know not, and do not approve of; and the ordinances of the Gospel, which are paths of peace. In short, some are of ”
  18. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: its own. Far from it. But to set forth the grosser motion of the mind, and giving this a name from the inferior part, and in the same way as he often is in the habit of calling man in his entireness, and viewed as possessed of a soul, flesh. “But to be spiritually minded.” Here again he speaks of the spiritual mind, in the same way as he says further on, “But He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the spirit” ( ver. 27 ); and he points out many blessings resulting from this, both in the present life, and in that which is to come. Fo”
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