Sometimes it's hard to really understand a threat that comes from things unseen. However, God warns us that the threat of spiritual warfare is very real and to arm us with what He has given us.

To understand the battle of spiritual warfare, we must begin by recognizing that we are in a war. Battles are smaller parts of the bigger picture. By definition, battles involve fights between two people, between factions, between armies and they consist of any type of "protracted contest, struggle or controversy" (Webster-Merriam). As Christians we are in a kind of spiritual battle on a daily basis. In times of war, battles take place on different fronts, for different reasons and with varying degrees of intensity. It is the same in spiritual warfare. Our spiritual battles and wars are real, even though we cannot physically see the attacker. But, we can learn about how battles are fought and how they impact our daily lives.

We have to ask ourselves, "Why do we even want to wage spiritual warfare?" It won't do us any good to educate ourselves about the battle if we don't see any reason for the struggle. War is very controversial in the physical realm today. These attitudes, beliefs and convictions will be transferred into the spiritual realm. However, in the spiritual realm there is a battle going on, whatever our opinion. We are either victors or victims. Jesus came and overcame. The war is already won in the skies.

Realize that there is a war and that you are there. Like it or not, we are all caught up in the spiritual warfare that unfolds between good and evil. If you don't engage in war, you will still be affected by it - and you will be much more vulnerable to evil than if you decided to fight as God calls you. So be active; not passive. Engage in spiritual warfare with the confidence that the power of God working through you is greater than any evil working against you. Your prayers can help prevent bad things from happening to people and bring good things into people's lives. Listen to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit on how to best pray for what is most needed, then pray to advance the kingdom of God on Earth and stop the spread of evil.

Know your commander and stand by his side. Your commander in spiritual warfare is Jesus Christ, who leads two armies: the army of holy angels in heaven and the army of prayer warriors on Earth. Jesus has chosen you, saves you, gives you an everlasting inheritance of blessings, and lives in your soul like the Holy Spirit. Jesus wants you to take sides in spiritual warfare and remember that the power he gives you is more powerful than evil. Your Commander Jesus is the greatest example of a prayer warrior; by studying his life on Earth, you can learn to serve God without fear.

Recognize who your real enemy is. Your enemy is Satan, the most senior of the fallen angels who rebelled against God. Satan is your adversary, accuser, tempter, and deceiver. He works by trying to convince you to doubt God's truth and believe his lies instead. You open doors for your enemy to attack you whenever you willfully disobey God and choose to sin. It is essential to shy away from temptations to sin and to pray against Satan's plans to hurt you and others.