Spiritual warfare is a good warfare. It is not some extraordinary exercise for the exorcists, or some unusual experience of the evil. Spiritual warfare is a good warfare.

The reason for it being a good warfare is because of the way it is waged. Unlike the many religions that practise spiritual warfare through bindings, chants, rituals, declarations, curses, omens, and the like, real spiritual warfare is waged through two of the most common, and very good, Christian practises.

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,

1 Timothy 1:18-19

What are the two ways in which pastors, and really every Christian, “wage the good warfare”?

First, “holding faith” and second, “holding a good conscience”. These are ordinary Christian disciplines. Know the truth, “hold” onto it, do not believe what is false, cling to good doctrine, and the lies of the Devil will never have any effect on you. Similarly, live a godly life, practice righteousness in temptation, be upright in all your actions and thoughts, and even the worst of onslaughts of the Devil will bounce off like a weak arrow off a strong breastplate.

Know with Biblical reference what you believe, and live so your conscience is Biblically clean, and you will “wage the good warfare”. But, neglect truth and godliness, and you will make “shipwreck of your faith”.

We are most engaged in spiritual warfare when we respond to attacks on the doctrine of the Christian faith, and when we respond to the matters of life with holiness.