Explain Bible

What does the Bible say about spiritual warfare?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that believers face real spiritual opposition, yet Christ has decisively secured their victory and calls them to stand in His strength, not their own. Ephesians 6:11-13 says our struggle is not merely against human enemies but against spiritual powers, so we put on God’s whole armor through faith, truth, righteousness, prayer, and His Word. Our weapons are spiritual and mighty through God for confronting falsehood and taking thoughts captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Christians resist the devil by submitting to God (James 4:7), remaining alert and firm in faith (1 Peter 5:8). God is our refuge and defender, and His promises encourage humble confidence rather than fear.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ephesians 6:12 5 votes

    For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

  • Ephesians 6:11 4 votes

    Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 4 votes

    For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

  • James 4:7 3 votes

    Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

  • 1 Peter 5:8 3 votes

    Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

  • Psalms 91:1-16 3 votes

    He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, so that you won’t dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot. “Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him. I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.”

  • Luke 10:19 3 votes

    Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.

  • Deuteronomy 28:7 2 votes

    Yahweh will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be struck before you. They will come out against you one way, and will flee before you seven ways.

  • Ephesians 6:13 2 votes

    Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:4 2 votes

    for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about spiritual warfare and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about spiritual warfare