Spiritual Warfare: Facing the Forces of Darkness in God's Work

When a believer chooses to engage in the work of God, they immediately become a target for the combined opposition of Satan and his entire host of evil angels, who use every possible means to obstruct the progress of truth13LtMs, Lt 136a, 1898, par. 37+1.

The Reality of Spiritual Conflict

• Targeted Attacks: Those who are actively engaged in preaching or publishing the truth are the special marks for Satan's attacks, as he seeks to divert their minds from the great work1T 586.1+1.

• Enlisting an Army: No member of the human family can seek to advance God's work without drawing the hatred and opposition of the powers of darkness, who stir up evil men to act as their agentsYI July 15, 1897, par. 2+1.

• Real Battles: The conflict between the two armies is as real as any earthly battle, and Satan will call to his aid his entire evil host to wrest even a single soul from the hand of ChristMB 118.4+1.

• Internal and External Forces: The believer must contend with supernatural forces and invisible foes, experiencing a relentless antagonism from the confederacy of evil13LtMs, Lt 136a, 1898, par. 37+1.

Divine Strength for the Warfare

• Heavenly Reenforcements: While the enemy exerts himself to the utmost, the Lord sends angels that excel in strength to deliver the helpless soul who casts themselves upon the merits of Christ's bloodMYP 53.1+1.

• Divine Cooperation: As the human agent brings their will into harmony with God's will, heavenly agencies are commissioned to impart strength, firmness, and more than mortal powerCE 122.2+1.

• The Armor of God: To stand against these wiles, the believer must put on the whole armor of God, relying on the sword of the Spirit to meet the enemy's treacherous advances Ephesians 6:111SAT 288.1+1.

Take courage, for although the adversary is busy and active, the Captain of your salvation is invincible and stands at your right hand to help in every emergencyBTS June 1, 1911, par. 1+1.

...t him up before men as the chiefest among ten thousand, will be opposed by evil men and angels. For no member of the human family can serve God, and seek to advance his work in the earth, without drawing upon him the hatred and opposition of the powers of darkness. Evil men are stirred with anger by the example of Christ's followers, because it reproves the...— YI July 15, 1897, par. 2 (1852)

Satan’s position toward the work to be accomplished in enlightening the world is to burden, depress, and block the way, and shall brethren engage with him in his work, to depress and discourage those who give evidence ...— 13LtMs, Lt 136a, 1898, par. 37

...s;s snare, it is not an easy matter. They have ventured on Satan's ground, and he claims them. He will not hesitate to engage all his energies and call to his aid all his evil host to wrest a single human being from the hand of Christ. Those who have tempted the devil to tempt th...— 1T 301.2 (1885)

...a spiritual warfare which we do not consider as we should, and we fail to appreciate what it means. The confederacy of evil is arrayed against those who would fight the battles of the Lord— RH March 14, 1893, par. 17 (1851)