Spiritual Warfare Is Real—But So Is Jesus’ Authority

Our culture is obsessed with the supernatural. Hollywood made $1.4 billion on supernatural horror movies in just two years—$300 million more than the previous two years. We’re fascinated by darkness, yet many of us dismiss the reality of spiritual warfare as outdated superstition.

The truth is, spiritual warfare is very real—but so is the absolute authority Jesus has over every demonic force. When we understand both the reality of the battle and the power of our King, we can walk in freedom in Christ rather than fear.

Understanding Spiritual Warfare: What the Bible Says

What Is Spiritual Warfare?

Spiritual warfare is the unseen battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. It’s the ongoing conflict between good and evil, light and darkness, centered around God’s righteous rule over creation. This isn’t science fiction—it’s biblical reality that affects every believer.

At its core, spiritual warfare represents the opposition that comes when we align our lives with God’s purposes. The moment we declare allegiance to Jesus’s kingdom, we step onto a battlefield where unseen forces are at work.

The Role of Demons in Spiritual Warfare

Demons are fallen angels who, with Lucifer, rebelled against God and were cast out of heaven. Their entire purpose is to oppose God’s will and work. Whatever God wants in the world, whatever God wants in your life, demons want the opposite.

These spiritual forces target individuals through deception, fear, and manipulation. They don’t always operate through dramatic possession—more often, they work through subtle lies, gradual deception, and anything that pulls us away from God’s truth and purposes.

Jesus and the Demonic Realm: A Biblical Example from Luke 4

In Luke 4:31-37, we see Jesus’s authority over demons displayed in a powerful but surprisingly simple encounter. Jesus had just arrived in Capernaum and was teaching in the synagogue when a demon-possessed man cried out.

The demon immediately recognized Jesus, calling Him “the Holy One of God”—a title reserved only for God Himself in the Old Testament. But here’s what’s remarkable: Jesus didn’t engage in a lengthy battle or dramatic ritual. He simply said two things: “Be silent and come out of him.”

That’s it. No incantations, no religious relics, no 24-hour exorcism. The demon had no choice but to obey instantly. This wasn’t drama—this was absolute power over demons in action.

The Authority of Jesus Over Demons

Why Jesus’s Authority Is Unique

In our world, authority typically comes from tradition (like a king inheriting a throne), position (like a police officer), collective agreement (like fashion trends), or expertise (like a doctor). But Jesus’s authority comes from none of these sources—He is the source of all authority.

When Jesus taught, it was like He was reading His own autobiography from Scripture. The religious teachers would quote other rabbis, but Jesus spoke with the authority of one who authored the very words they were studying. This is why people were “astonished” at His teaching—His authority was unlike anything they’d ever encountered.

The Power of His Word

The same Word that upholds the universe by His power is the Word that commands demons to flee. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus “upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Can you imagine that kind of power? The word of His power holds everything in place—including you, including every spiritual force that would come against you.

When Jesus speaks, creation must respond. Demons don’t negotiate with Jesus—they simply obey.

The Demons Recognized Him—Do We?

It’s striking that while the people in the synagogue were trying to figure out who Jesus was, the demons knew exactly who He was. They understood that they must submit to His authority, even when the religious people around them were still questioning.

The demons’ recognition of Jesus as “the Holy One of God” reveals His divine identity and supreme authority over all spiritual forces. The question for us is: Do we recognize and submit to that same authority in our daily lives?

Want to learn more about what the Bible says about demons?

Read our 3-part “Know Your Enemy” blog series where we answer questions like:

• What are demons?
• What do demons do?
• What should we do?

Modern-Day Spiritual Warfare: What It Looks Like Today

Spiritual Attack Isn’t Always Dramatic

Spiritual warfare in our lives isn’t usually like the movies. While dramatic encounters can happen, the enemy’s most effective work is often much more subtle. He whispers lies about your identity, gradually deceives you about right and wrong, and creates “mission drift” that slowly pulls you away from God’s purposes.

Sometimes the enemy attacks through frontal assault—obvious spiritual opposition. But more often, he works by saying things in your head that lead to bad decisions, compromised relationships, and spiritual passivity.

Real Stories, Real Power

Watch this story from one of our church members of an encounter she had while on a mission trip to Montreal:

Living Under Jesus’s Authority

You Can’t Fight Spiritual Battles Without Spiritual Surrender

Here’s a crucial truth: You can’t take authority over demonic forces if your own life isn’t under Christ’s authority. Spiritual warfare requires spiritual surrender first.

Many believers want to blame demons for everything going wrong in their lives while refusing to address their own sin issues. But authority flows from submission. When we place our lives fully under Jesus’s lordship, His authority becomes available to us.

Signs You May Not Be Living Under His Authority

Consider these warning signs:

• You’re blaming demons for your problems while hiding unconfessed sin. You demand accountability from others but won’t take responsibility for your own failures.
• You’re spiritually passive. You never share your faith, serve in church, or step out in obedience when God calls you to action.
• You’re consumed by fear or blind to spiritual realities. Either you see demons everywhere or you dismiss the spiritual realm entirely.

If the enemy doesn’t see you as a threat, he has nothing to fight. A believer who never grows, never serves, and never shares the gospel poses no danger to the kingdom of darkness.

These aren’t magical formulas—they’re the means by which we align our lives with Christ’s authority and can experience His power.

Victory in Christ: You Don’t Have to Be Afraid

Jesus Grants Authority to His Followers

In Luke 10, Jesus extends His authority to His disciples, sending them out to minister in His name. That same authority is available to believers today. When we walk in genuine submission to Christ, His power over demons becomes our power too.

This isn’t about claiming authority we don’t have—it’s about exercising the authority Jesus has already given us as His followers.

The Name of Jesus Has Power

When you encounter spiritual opposition, you don’t need complicated rituals or special knowledge. The name of Jesus, spoken in faith by someone living under His authority, carries absolute power. Demons must flee—they have no choice.

Let Baptism Remind You of Victory

Baptism beautifully pictures our victory over darkness. When someone goes down into the water, they’re identifying with Christ’s death to sin. When they come up, they’re identifying with His resurrection to new life. It’s a powerful declaration that the old life of bondage is gone and the new life of freedom in Christ has begun.

Conclusion: Jesus’s Power Is Greater Than Any Darkness

Spiritual warfare is real, but so is the power, peace, and protection we have in Jesus. The same authority that commanded demons to flee 2,000 years ago is available to believers today.

When we live under Jesus’s authority—not just in name but in genuine surrender and obedience—we can walk with confidence, not fear. His power over demons becomes our refuge, His victory becomes our identity, and His freedom in Christ becomes our daily reality.

The enemy wants you to be afraid, but there’s nothing to fear when you belong to the One who holds the universe together by the word of His power. Place your life fully under His authority, and discover the freedom that comes from serving the King who has already won the war.

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Watch the full sermon from week two of our “Walking with Jesus” sermon series below: