The Necessity of Spiritual Warfare
Greg Howse
Like many pastors I caught a vision for spiritual warfare at the end of the 1980s under the influence of godly
men such as C. Peter Wagner and Larry Lea. I began to lead our congregation at Cornerstone Christian Center into
spiritual warfare every Sunday evening. We identified five major enemy strongholds in the Chicago Heights area:
1) sexual perversion, 2) violence and corruption, 3) false religions, 4) racism, and 5) pride and rebellion. We
have targeted these powers with prayer every week for several years now.
Chicago Heights, Illinois, was the home base of Al Capone's organized crime activities in Chicago. The evil
powers we come against in prayer gained their footing in the area during Capone's time. Prostitution, brutality,
and political corruption automatically accompanied their Mafia activities. As recently as 1982, right after my
family moved to the area, a Mafia leader was assassinated on a nearby golf course.
Pride and rebellion, the major elements of the devil's nature, are the foundation of all these things. When
he is allowed to have his way in a community for years at a time, his nature and base characteristics are going
to greatly influence people's lives.
Idolatry and Injustice
We need to become more skillful in combating the spiritual forces who are planning and working to destroy our
communities through control of proud and rebellious human actions. The New Testament makes it very clear that Christians
face principalities and powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12). We can
march, make speeches, legislate social reforms, and go through religious gymnastics, but none of it will make a
long-lasting difference in racial hatred and division until the unseen powers in the spiritual atmosphere of America
are engaged in spiritual warfare.
Al Capone didn't operate out of your town. But Satan has had his agents there through the years. What deeply-rooted
sins in your community's past and present suggest a pattern of demonic influence that your church and others need
to oppose in order to minister effectively there?
What do you think would be some effective ways to mobilize an organized prayer assault against the strongholds
of wickedness in your community?
In his book, Healing America's Wounds, John Dawson says that demonic influence finds opportunistic access
into a city, state, or nation in two basic ways: idolatry and injustice. Dawson identifies America's characteristic
idol as Mammon. The power of Mammon is commonly manifested in our land through greed and financial manipulation.
Concerning injustice, Dawson says that demonic entrance is found when people wound each other through selfish actions.
Rejection, denial, anger, and shame are wounds of injustice marking millions of people in the United States. [John
Dawson, Healing America's Wounds (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1994), 53–59.]
How do you think the greedy idol Mammon exerts harmful influence on your community?
How do you think the greedy idol Mammon exerts evil influence even in your church?
What do you think are the greatest injustices people tend to face in your area? How do you think your church
should respond to them?
Kingdom Extra
As Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, He knew He was there to regain and ultimately win this
world's kingdoms and glory, but He would do so only on His Father's terms. The present world systems are largely
based on the limited but powerful and destructive rule of the one Jesus called “the ruler of this world” (John
12:31; 16:30). We are wise not to attribute to God anything of the disorder of our confused, sin-riddled, diseased,
tragedy-ridden, and tormented planet. “This present evil age” (Gal. 1:4) “lies under the sway of the wicked one”
(1 John 5:19). [Spirit-Filled Life® Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991), 1517, “Kingdom
Dynamics: Luke 4:14–32, Earth's Evil ‘Ruler.’”]
At a pastors' conference in 1995 at The Church On The Way in Van Nuys, California, C. Peter Wagner said that
racism is the greatest sin in American culture today. He traced the sin down to the roots of a slave trade that
made many rich and an unjust policy toward Native Americans to seize land and natural resources. Wagner's prayer
organization targets 126 places where whites massacred Indian women and children as sites where repentance and
atonement for these injustices need to occur. [C. Peter Wagner, “My Father's House and I Have Sinned,” The Church
on the Way Pastors' Seminar, Tape M2508 (Van Nuys, CA: Sound Word Tape Ministry).]
As far as you know, how was your local history affected by slavery?
As far as you know, how was your local history shaped by conflicts with Native Americans?
How do you think the spiritual atmosphere of your community is affected by its history touching slavery and
treatment of Native Americans?
Deliverance from Spiritual Oppression
In 1995 Cornerstone Christian Center applied for a “special use permit” to use a vacant department store for
our ministries. This brought the church leadership into direct negotiations with local government. There were two
black and one Hispanic aldermen on the city council by that time. Even though there was a new administration in
Chicago Heights, some of the old political tricks continued. The other three aldermen were part of the old regime.
They didn't want to see any commercial property outside the control of their cronies.
God used this political process involving a vacant building to stimulate our fight against principalities and
powers in heavenly places. The intensity of our prayer ministry went up several notches. We came to realize that
God does not care much about that building, but He does care a great deal about the city in which we worship.
We can get a good understanding of the relationship between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of evil by looking
at what happened to the children of Israel in the land of Egypt. The Pharaoh of Egypt acted as the instrument of
Satan as he attempted to control and enslave God's people. He also reflected the heart of the devil as he feared
the potential of God's people to overthrow him (Ex. 1:9, 10).
Christians are not to be ignorant of the devil's schemes to frustrate the Lord's work in their midst (2 Cor.
2:11). What do you think are some of Satan's main devices to interfere with the success of God's work in your church?
What does the devil have to fear from your church? What are some of its greatest assets for successful outreach
into your community?
What do you think is the most positive sign of spiritual victory in the life of your church during the past
year? How do you think the devil will try to interfere and turn this into a defeat?
Bible references such as Revelation 12:7–12 (Michael fighting the dragon) and Daniel 10:10–21 (the Prince of
Persia and the Prince of Greece hindering Gabriel) reveal an unseen struggle going on in the spiritual realm. The
church needs to join with the angelic hosts to bind on earth what has already been bound in the heavens (Matthew
16:13–19). We must discover and apply the true authority of the greater One within us (1 John 4:4), the Spirit
of Jesus who came into the world to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
Word Wealth
“Proclaim liberty throughout all the land,” words from Leviticus 25:10, are inscribed on the Liberty Bell in
Philadelphia. The Hebrew word for liberty also is the name for the swallow, a bird swift in flight. In Leviticus
25:10, “liberty” is a technical term for the release of slaves every 50 years in the Year of Jubilee. The Lord
Jesus in His first sermon quoted Isaiah 61:1, which states that the Messiah's anointing and divine commission enable
Him to “proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:17–19). [Spirit-Filled Life® Bible, 181, “Word Wealth:
Lev. 25:10, liberty.”]
When you pray for worldwide or national concerns, in what ways do you think you should pray that Satan will
be bound and prevented from pursuing his agenda?
When you pray for your community, how do you want God to bind Satan and frustrate his plans?
When you consider praying for reconciliation within the church between Christians of different races, how do
you think you should pray that God bind the devil?
Pharaoh was afraid of a nation of shepherds (Ex. 1:9) who were totally powerless apart from God. So Pharaoh
tried to “deal shrewdly” with Israel so they would never realize he feared their God (v. 10). The devil also plays
tricks on the people of God to keep them from recognizing the truth of their power (Eph. 6:11). A lack of knowledge
can destroy us (Hos. 4:6) and hold us in captivity (Is. 5:13).
What biblical truths do you think need to be emphasized more in preaching and teaching so believers will be
better prepared for spiritual warfare?
The devil uses his finite power to coerce the people of the world to fear him. God will not use His infinite
power in the same way. He does not compel belief because the “fear of God” is based on adoration rather than terror.
In your opinion, what are the dangers of being fascinated with learning about the devil rather than focusing on
God?
How does the devil weaken the strength of the church at war by fostering division between the races?
The foundation of Pharaoh's concern was that Israel would depart from the land of Egypt (Ex. 1:10). He didn't
want to lose a source of slave labor. Today the devil doesn't want the church to discover the truth about its authority
in Christ. He wants to keep us weakened and defeated by demonically generated oppression around us.
What is supposed to be the greatest difficulty in reaching your community for Christ? How can the devil use
this to keep your church from thinking it can be effective in outreach?
What do you think is the greatest single barrier to unity and cooperation between Christians of different races
in your community? How can the devil use this to keep your church from thinking it can be effective in racial reconciliation?
The first step for Israel in escaping Egyptian bondage was discovering the power of calling on the name of the
Lord (Ex. 2:23, 24; 3:7, 8). In practical terms, what do you think “calling on the name of the Lord” would mean
in the spiritual war against interracial suspicion and hatred?
Victory Over Spiritual Oppression
Racism has been entrenched in Chicago Heights. Until recent years, African-Americans were bottled up in one
section of town. They were the constant victims of police and political abuse. My secretary's uncle was prominent
in the black community of the Heights. In the early 1980s, he implemented positive policies that promoted housing
and curtailed drug traffic. The Mafia tried to scare him off. Finally they kidnapped him and pumped him full of
mind-altering drugs which left him in a vegetative state the rest of his life.
In the early 1990s, the FBI launched a sharp crackdown on organized crime in the Heights. Several local mayors
and their buddies went to prison. Major prostitution rings virtually shut down. Political kickbacks and payoffs
slowed to a trickle. The house that my family lives in was built by a Chicago Heights police officer who was selling
drugs to the black community. That officer is now in prison. Our congregation emerged as another example in the
Chicago area of cross-cultural ministry where blacks, whites, and Hispanics worship and serve together. I believe
that the participation of our church and others in spiritual warfare was a major factor in the changes that are
going on.
After Israel left Egypt and wandered in the wilderness, the people of God approached the Promised Land. Before
entering Canaan, God's people prepared for conquest by battling two Amorite kings on the east side of the Jordan
River (Deut. 2:24–3:11). The spiritual battle we are in today is very similar to the battle between Israel and
the Amorites. The people of God battle the powers of the world in preparation for entering the kingdom of God.
In Deuteronomy 2:31 God says, “See, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to possess it.”
The promises of God are not meant to exclude our efforts. When God initiates any action against our enemies in
answer to our prayers, He expects us to participate in the battle through the power of His Spirit and the authority
of His name.
What part do you think God expects your church to play in His plan to evangelize your community?
What part do you think God expects your church to play in healing racial tensions in your community?
Three key terms for our participation in spiritual warfare occur in Deuteronomy 2:24: cross over, engage in
battle, and possess. To “cross over” is a term used for any transition. There is a transition between ignorance
about what is happening in the spiritual realm, becoming knowledgeable about it, and actually getting involved
in spiritual warfare. How would God have you “cross over” into a more active role in battling racial bias in your
community or church?
To “engage in battle” is a phrase that means to do everything you can to defeat the enemy. In Israel's situation
with the Amorites they put their lives in jeopardy before God acted on their behalf. How would God have you “engage
in battle” for unity and cooperation among racial and cultural groups?
The term “possess” describes the action of occupying a land by driving out the previous tenants. What attitudes
and actions need to become the possession of your church in order to conquer racial hatred in your community?
Kingdom Extra
The kingdom of God makes its penetration into the world by a kind of violent spiritual conflict and warfare
in opposition to the human status quo. The resulting upheaval caused by the kingdom of God is not a result of political
provocation or armed advance. It is the result of God's order shaking relationships, households, cities, and nations
by the entry of the Holy Spirit's power working in people. [Ibid., 1424, “Kingdom Dynamics: Matt. 11:12, Taking
It by Force.”]
Read Deuteronomy 6:17–19. What are some of the “right” things and “good” things we need to do in the spiritual
warfare against racial hatred?
The goal of the physical warfare carried out by the children of Israel was a homeland characterized by pleasant
cities and fertile fields that promised a comfortable life. What do you think will be the rewards from God's hand
of battling successfully against racial hatred in our communities and our churches?
From Race & Reconciliation: Healing the Wounds, Winning the
Harvest by Jack W. Hayford with Greg Howse and Michael Posey. Copyright 1996 by Jack W.
Hayford.
