The idea of "spiritual warfare" is problematic in progressive Christian circles because it smacks of right-wing theological exclusivism, which holds that true believers in Christ are at war with Satan and his minions, his minions being everybody who isn't a" true believer." There is, however, a very different view of spiritual warfare, one that has nothing to do with ideology and everything to do with the struggle of people who are trapped in dysfunctional behaviors—sometimes because of severe abuse as children. Soldiers coming home from war sometimes find that they have brought the battlefield home with them and are still fighting a spiritual as well as psychological war. Addictions of all kinds result in spiritual warfare as well.Grant Schnarr, a student of this kind of spiritual warfare, states (here) that, "Spiritual warfare is about conquering your own demons, gaining control over your destructive tendencies, like fear, anger, impulsive behavior, addiction. It's the old fashion war against human evil, fought by individuals for centuries." Mylow Young, a recovered drug addict, describes (here) how he felt literally trapped by Satan in his addiction and that it was only through God's love in Christ that he was able to escape. He writes, "“It is spiritual warfare. The devil keeps trying to keep you down by talking trash. He tells you that you don't measure up. But, we all must get to the point when we realize that God sees Christ in us and knows what the finished product looks like."
Spiritual warfare is a sad, sad concept but an immensely important one because it reminds us all that for many of us life is a daily struggle against inner demons that are as real as the hills, trees, and lakes of the North Country. Physical and mental abuse is an awful, ugly thing, but what is especially insidious about it is that it plants evil deep within those who are abused. The beatings, the intimidation, the rapes, and the pain remain a powerful presence long, long afterwards. The horrors of war can plant the same kinds of demons in those who experience it as can other traumatic events, such as a natural disaster or even the tragic loss of a loved one. Spiritual warfare thus is a daily reality for millions of Americans. The important thing is that it is a war with two sides battling it out in the soul. God, wearing the "mask" of the Spirit, has not abandoned "spiritual warriors" to fight alone and, as is true generally, the Spirit works works works to bring healing and wholeness to those at risk. Amen.
