Salvation Through Christ – Part 2 -The Civil War Between God & Satan
I started a series on Salvation Through Christ a few weeks ago. It wasn’t my intention, but I felt it was important to back up and explain something I wrote in the first post The Savior is the Root for those who might need more information.
We are born into a civil war between God and Satan.
That’s kind of a shocking statement, I know. Please hold on for a minute and let me explain.
The Bible tells the story of God’s love for His people.
It also tells the story of a war between God and Satan. It has been going on for a long time.
And we were born into it.
Thankfully, we can skip to the end of the book and know how this war ends! Revelation 19:11 is a good place to start, if you want.
I Can’t Take Credit
Being born into a civil war is not my own idea. I read that somewhere.
I thought it was C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. I’ve searched that book (literally a pdf version I found online) and there is a mention of a civil war, but not the one I remember.
I read a lot, and since it’s not from Mere Christianity, I’m at a loss to know what book I read it in so that I can give proper credit. If I figure it out, I will be sure to update this post (if you know, please let me know in the comments below).
The statement about being born into a civil war has stayed with me for however many years, and when you understand the scriptures, it makes perfect sense.
The good news is that, as a Christian, God has given us everything we need to survive and win this civil war.
The book I read used a military metaphor about the civil war between God and Satan, and how we can survive and win. So, without any sort of military background, I will try to explain it as best I can. Please bear with me.
Let me first give a very short explanation of why we are born into a civil war.
Why It’s a Civil War
It’s civil, because Satan was an angel of God. He was beautiful, and held a position of dignity and honor before he became proud and ambitious. He was determined to put himself on the throne in place of God. So God banished him to hell. (Read Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-19 to see this in scripture.)
Satan led a rebellion and one-third of the angels with him were also cast out (Luke 10:18 and Revelation 12:3-4, 9).
Satan tried since the Garden of Eden to destroy the genealogic line of Christ (you can see the beginning of that in Genesis Chapter 3), and after Christ’s birth, tried to eliminate him (Matthew 2:13-18, Revelation 12:4-5).
After Christ’s redemptive work on the cross, where He paid the penalty for our sins so we could have eternal life with Him, Satan has been directing his hatred towards Christ’s people (Revelation 12:11-17).
Surviving & Winning The Civil War Between God & Satan
Now, I am not a military person, so please forgive my retelling of what I remember reading. Hopefully, you get the idea that I’m trying to convey. There are 3 things you need to survive and win the civil war between God and Satan:
1. Jesus Christ
–The 5 Star General of this war. He is the logistics and leadership commander and cannot be fooled by the schemes of the enemy. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16). He knows the enemy’s every move and trick. Revelation tells us that Satan loses. Salvation is through Christ. (That’s a link. Please read it if you haven’t already).
2. Holy Scriptures
– The Bible is our field manual. It is the written Word of God, and provides instructions for how to live and conduct ourselves during this civil war so that we win. All our actions should be guided by the counsel and edification of the Holy Scriptures. (2 Timothy 3:15-16, Colossians 3:16)
3 . Holy Spirit
– Like the field telephones (or radios or telegrams) carried in war, this is our hotline to the 5 Star General in times of trouble. When you are on the front lines of any battle (big or small), scared, confused or lonely and don’t know what to do, the Holy Spirit is here to help, comfort and remind us what he has told us. (John 14:26)
It may be intimidating to think we have been born into a civil war, but if you are a child of God, do not fret. Jesus told us in John 16:33:
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
What do you think? Have you heard this military metaphor before? Can you tell me who wrote it?
More in the Series —
Salvation Through Christ Part 1 – The Savior is the Root
Salvation Through Christ Part 3- Salvation Requirements – What You Give Up
Salvation Through Christ Part 4 – What You Get
Pam is an experienced, professional, freelance B2B copywriter, consultant and trainer. She blends her love of studying God’s Word and interests in natural beauty, health and home alternatives and communication skills to bring you resources to improve your everyday life. You can also find her at
[…] discovered that the Root of Salvation is the Savior. I also made a comment that there is a Civil War Between God and Satan and that we are born into it. Part 2 back tracked a little and explained in detail what I meant […]