The Theology of Spiritual Warfare

Part 11 of 12: Methods of Attack: How to Spot the Enemy according to John Eldredge, Neil Anderson and C.S. Lewis.

Spiritual warfare is a concept explored by various authors and theologians, including John Eldredge, Neil Anderson, and C.S. Lewis. While the specific methods of attack attributed to Satan may vary among different Christian perspectives, here are ten common tactics often discussed in the context of spiritual warfare:

1. Deception: Satan is often depicted as the "father of lies" in Christian theology. His primary tactic is to deceive individuals, distorting truth, and leading them away from God's Word and wisdom.

- John Eldredge: In his book "Waking the Dead," Eldredge discusses how Satan deceives individuals by distorting their identity in Christ, causing them to doubt their worthiness and value to God.

- C.S. Lewis: Lewis portrays deception in "The Screwtape Letters" through the character of Screwtape, a demon who advises his nephew Wormwood on how to lead a man astray through subtle lies and half-truths.

2. Temptation: Satan tempts individuals to sin by appealing to their desires, weaknesses, or vulnerabilities. Temptations can manifest in various forms, such as lust, greed, or pride.

- Neil Anderson: Anderson emphasizes how Satan tempts individuals by exploiting their specific vulnerabilities, such as leading someone struggling with anger into explosive outbursts.

- C.S. Lewis: Lewis explores temptation in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" when the White Witch tempts Edmund with Turkish delight, representing the allure of sinful desires.

3. Accusation: Satan is often portrayed as the "accuser of the brethren." He accuses believers, fostering guilt and shame, and seeks to undermine their confidence in God's forgiveness and grace.

- Neil Anderson: Anderson highlights how Satan accuses believers of their past sins, making them doubt their forgiveness and worthiness in Christ.

- C.S. Lewis: Lewis addresses accusation in "The Great Divorce" as individuals face their own choices and are confronted with the consequences of their actions.

4. Division and Strife: Satan aims to sow discord, division, and conflict among individuals, communities, and even within families. Strife can lead to broken relationships and hinder spiritual growth.

- John Eldredge: Eldredge discusses how division within families and communities can result from spiritual attacks, leading to broken relationships and conflicts.

- C.S. Lewis: In "The Screwtape Letters," Lewis illustrates how division among humans can be exploited by demons, creating strife and discord.

5. Fear and Anxiety: Satan often uses fear and anxiety to paralyze individuals, preventing them from trusting God and living in peace. These emotions can lead to doubt and despair.

- John Eldredge: Eldredge explores the role of fear and anxiety in keeping individuals from fully trusting in God's goodness and plan for their lives.

- C.S. Lewis: Lewis discusses fear in "The Silver Chair" as characters confront their deepest fears and learn to rely on Aslan for courage.

6. Addiction and Bondage: Satan can enslave individuals through various addictions, such as substance abuse, pornography, or unhealthy behaviors. These chains can hinder spiritual freedom.

- Neil Anderson: Anderson addresses addiction as a form of bondage, where individuals become enslaved to destructive habits and behaviors.

- C.S. Lewis: Lewis portrays addiction metaphorically in "The Horse and His Boy" through the character of Rabadash, who is addicted to his own pride and ambition.

7. Doubt and Unbelief: Satan seeks to undermine faith and foster doubt in the existence of God, the reliability of Scripture, or the effectiveness of prayer.

- Neil Anderson: Anderson discusses how Satan fosters doubt and unbelief by challenging the reliability of Scripture and the existence of God.

- C.S. Lewis: In "Mere Christianity," Lewis addresses doubts about faith and provides rational arguments for the existence of God and the truth of Christianity.

8. Pride and Self-Righteousness: Satan tempts individuals to become prideful and self-righteous, leading them to rely on their own goodness rather than God's grace for salvation.

- John Eldredge: Eldredge warns against the danger of pride and self-righteousness, which can lead individuals to rely on their own goodness rather than God's grace.

- C.S. Lewis: Lewis explores the theme of pride in "The Problem of Pain" and how it can lead to spiritual blindness and separation from God.

9. Spiritual Oppression: Some believe that Satan can directly oppress individuals, leading to feelings of hopelessness, despair, or even possession. This is a controversial topic within Christian theology.

- Neil Anderson: Anderson discusses spiritual oppression as a direct attack on individuals, resulting in feelings of hopelessness and despair.

- C.S. Lewis: Lewis addresses spiritual oppression through the character of Ransom in "Perelandra," who faces demonic forces seeking to manipulate and control.

10. Spiritual Attacks on the Mind: Satan can bombard individuals with negative thoughts, intrusive ideas, and mental struggles, seeking to disrupt their peace of mind and focus on God.

- John Eldredge: Eldredge explores how spiritual attacks can manifest as negative thoughts and mental struggles, disrupting an individual's peace of mind.

- C.S. Lewis: Lewis touches on mental struggles in "A Grief Observed," where he grapples with doubt and sorrow following the loss of his wife.

It's important to note that these tactics are described within a Christian theological framework, and interpretations may vary among different denominations and belief systems. The works of John Eldredge, Neil Anderson, and C.S. Lewis offer valuable insights into the nature of spiritual warfare and how believers can resist these attacks through faith, prayer, and reliance on God's power and protection.