The Three Battles Behind Apostolic Spiritual Warfare

What is apostolic spiritual warfare?

God created man with authority and responsibility over the earth. This is clearly seen in Book of Genesis 1:26, where God gave humanity dominion over the earth, the sea, and the atmosphere.

This means the assignment of believers is territorial. We are called to represent the authority of God in different spaces of life such as cities, families, institutions, and nations.

A proof of this can be found in Luke 10:1 where Jesus clearly sent His functionaries to cities and places to destroy the works of devil and set men free from bondages.

For this reason, spiritual warfare is not only about casting out demons or confronting visible opposition. At a deeper level, it is about fulfilling the mandate of God on earth.

Thus, anyone called to advance the kingdom of God must understand that the assignment will involve battles and resistance from the kingdom of darkness. This resistance is what we call spiritual warfare.

This truth is clearly revealed in First Epistle to the Corinthians 15:30 to 32, where the apostle Paul exposed the hidden sacrifices behind apostolic work.

Paul explained that the work of advancing the gospel places a believer in constant conflict. Therefore an apostolic ambassador is also a spiritual warrior operating at the front line of spiritual warfare.

Paul mentioned three kinds of battles that accompany this mandate. These battles are not only for apostles. They also apply to intercessors, prophets, and believers who desire to advance the purposes of God.

Let us explore these three battles and understand how spiritual warriors overcome them.

Page Contents

Battle One: Standing in Jeopardy for the Gospel

Paul begins with a powerful question.

“Why stand we in jeopardy every hour?”

This statement from First Epistle to the Corinthians 15:30 reveals the first battle behind the apostolic mandate. The work of advancing the kingdom places a believer in situations of constant risk.

Jeopardy means danger, exposure, and vulnerability.

Throughout scripture we see this pattern in the lives of God’s servants. For example Paul himself faced imprisonment, persecution, and physical attacks because of the gospel. In Second Epistle to the Corinthians 11:24 to 27, he lists the many dangers he endured including beatings, shipwrecks, and threats from enemies.

This teaches a powerful lesson about spiritual warfare.

When a believer begins to challenge the works of darkness in a territory, the kingdom of darkness reacts. Intercessors who pray for their families often notice resistance. Prophets who speak truth may face rejection. Evangelists who preach salvation may experience opposition.

However this should not surprise us.

Jesus Himself warned His disciples about this reality in Gospel of John 15:20 when He said that if the world persecuted Him, it would also persecute them.

Therefore the first battle in the apostolic mandate is learning to stand firm even when there is danger.

A spiritual warrior must develop courage. Fear cannot control someone who carries the mandate of God.

Battle Two: Dying to Self Daily

The second battle Paul reveals is the battle against self.

He declares in First Epistle to the Corinthians 15:31,

“I die daily.”

This statement reveals that the greatest warfare often happens inside the believer.

Dying daily means surrendering personal desires, preferences, ambitions, and comfort so that the will of God can prevail.

This principle is also emphasized by Jesus in Gospel of Luke 9:23, where He said that anyone who wants to follow Him must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him.

In spiritual warfare the flesh can become an enemy of destiny. Pride can stop a prophet from receiving correction. Laziness can stop an intercessor from praying. Desire for comfort can stop a believer from obeying God’s instruction.

This is why the apostolic life demands daily surrender.

Paul also explained this battle in Epistle to the Galatians 5:17, where he teaches that the flesh and the Spirit are in conflict with each other.

Victory therefore comes when a believer chooses the will of God above personal convenience.

Every spiritual warrior must learn this discipline. The war against self must be won daily.

Battle Three: Fighting the Beasts of Territories

The third battle Paul mentions is one of the most mysterious statements in scripture.

In First Epistle to the Corinthians 15:32, he says,

“If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus.”

Many scholars believe Paul was not speaking about physical animals. Instead he was referring to spiritual opposition operating within the city of Ephesus as recorded in Acts 19.

This reveals an important truth about spiritual warfare.

Many battles in the kingdom are territorial. Certain spiritual forces influence cultures, behaviors, and patterns within a region.

For example in Book of Daniel 10:13, the prophet Daniel learns that a spiritual prince was resisting the answer to his prayer over Persia. This shows that unseen spiritual powers can influence territories.

These forces influence societies in different ways. They can shape patterns of violence, immorality, corruption, or deception.

A believer who is spiritually alert can observe these patterns.

One practical way to discern the spiritual climate of a place is observation. When you enter a city, observe the behaviors that appear most common among the people. Patterns often reveal the influence of spiritual forces.

The 4 Apostolic Weapons That Fight The Battles Above

Scripture also shows us how to deal with the three battles above.

Jesus explained the strategy in Gospel of Matthew 12:29, where He said that before someone can plunder a strong man’s house, they must first bind the strong man.

This principle applies to spiritual warfare in territories. Before lasting change can occur physically, spiritual strongholds must first be confronted through prayer and spiritual authority.

This is why deliverance ministry and intercession are important aspects of the apostolic assignment.

The early church understood these battles and developed a powerful strategy for victory.

In Acts of the Apostles 2:42, scripture describes four practices that sustained the early believers.

They continued in the apostles doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers.

These four practices formed the spiritual foundation of the apostolic church.

Prayer

Prayer was the engine of spiritual warfare.

Through prayer believers invited the presence of God into their territory. Prayer also released divine assistance from heaven. Scripture shows that angels are sent to minister to those who inherit salvation as seen in Epistle to the Hebrews 1:14.

Consistent prayer therefore creates spiritual covering and enforcement of God’s will.

The Apostles Doctrine

Doctrine protects believers from deception.

When people are grounded in the word of God, they become stable and difficult for the enemy to manipulate.

Jesus demonstrated the power of the word during His temptation in Gospel of Matthew 4:4, where He overcame the devil by declaring scripture.

Fellowship

Fellowship builds strength and accountability.

Spiritual warfare was never meant to be fought alone. Believers gain encouragement, correction, and support through the community of faith.

Breaking of Bread

Breaking of bread reminds believers of the victory of Christ through His sacrifice.

The death and resurrection of Jesus defeated the powers of darkness. When believers remember this truth, their faith becomes stronger in spiritual battles.

Final Thoughts: Apostolic Spiritual Warfare is not for Passive Believers

The apostolic mandate is for men and women who are ready to engage in spiritual warfare.

Every intercessor, prophet, and believer must understand the three battles that accompany this calling.

First they must stand firm in times of danger.
Second they must die to self daily so that the will of God becomes their priority.
Third they must learn to confront the spiritual forces influencing territories.

However victory comes when believers adopt the pattern of the early church through prayer, sound doctrine, fellowship, and remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.

Among these four practices, prayer stands at the center.

Prayer places believers at the front line of spiritual engagement with God. Through prayer we receive direction, strength, and divine intervention.

Some believers avoid prayer because they think ignorance protects them from spiritual conflict. However this is not true.

Spiritual warfare does not disappear because someone ignores it.

Scripture reveals that God knew us even before we were born as seen in Book of Jeremiah 1:5. This means our lives are part of a divine plan. When believers understand this, they recognize that their safest place is under the guidance of God through prayer.

Prayer aligns believers with the purposes of heaven.

When these principles are practiced consistently, believers become effective spiritual warriors who advance the kingdom of God in their generation.

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