As I read this book, I made notes on what seemed to be the point of each chapter. This was not supposed to be a very organized and thorough book summary. It’s not a book review, either; it’s just notes on what stands out to me as I go through it. Given that I’m very familiar with many of the things he says, I wouldn’t put them down below, but they may be important to new readers in spiritual warfare.
Given that the author is a former president of the International Mission Board and has lived overseas doing missions for many years, many of his examples draw from his missionary experiences.
Chapter 1: The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Key verses and points:
Ephesians 6
“Spiritual warfare is not so much about demon possession, territorial spirits, or generational bondage as it is overcoming Satan’s lies and deceits in our own life.”
“Satan’s primary objective is to rob God of His glory in our lives.”
“The devil is against us, the world is around us, and the flesh is within us, collaborating to defeat us in our Christian walk.”
“We need to understand that Satan is against us, the world is around us, and the flesh is within us—all collaborating together, conspiring to rob us of what God has already procured for us in Christ.”
In chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, he covers what he calls our tripartite enemy. The devil (in ch 2&3), the world (ch.4), and the flesh(ch 5&6).
Chapter 2: The Nature of our enemy, part I
The first part of the tripartite enemy is the devil/Satan.
Key verses and points:
“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Rev 12:9 ESV
“Victory in spiritual warfare is not a formula but learning to appropriate the victory Jesus has already given us”
“The scripture reveals a great deal about spiritual warfare but every reference is in the context of victory!”
“Anything in our mind that is contrary to the truth of God’s word is a lie and comes from Satan’s deceitful nature.”
Two key points about the enemy
-Satan is an adversary.
–Satan is a deceiver and a liar.
Chapter 3: The nature of our enemy, part 2
Key verses and points
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:1-17 ESV
Key points about the enemy
-Satan is the tempter
–Satan is the hinderer (Thessalonians 2:18)
“If Satan cannot get us to sin by yielding to temptation and indulging our carnal nature, he simply hinders us from carrying out God’s will.”
Chapter 4: The Struggle with the World
The second part of the tripartite enemy is the world.
Key verses and points
“This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:15-17
“The most effective deterrent to the allure of the world is to have a heart that is desperate for God.”
Chapter 5: The Battle between the flesh and the spirit
The third part of the tripartite enemy is the flesh.
Key verses and points
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Galatians 5:16-18
Romans chapters 6-8, Especially Romans 7.
“God does not put us on a guilt trip, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 5:16-18
“Love is a key to walking in victory because it is the antithesis of the self-centered nature of the flesh.”
Chapter 6: Denying the flesh entails suffering
Key verses and points
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2
Practical Keys to Victory over the Flesh
1. Believe Christ has conquered sin for us.
2. Set your mind on things of the Spirit.
3. Counter self-centeredness with love.
4. Be led by the Holy Spirit.
5. Make no provision for the flesh
Fasting is an example of denying the flesh
Chapter 7: Satan’s favorite fiery darts
“Satan is against us, seeking to defeat us; the flesh is within us, seeking to defile us; and the world is around us, seeking to distract us. They are all in collaboration, influencing us to choose selfish and carnal values and deprive God of His glory in our lives.”
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” Ephesians 6:16
Tactics Satan uses against us:
1. Unforgiveness. Eph. 4:32; Luke 23:34;
2. Anger. Eph. 4:29-31
3. Doubt.
4. Pride. [See this article by Jonathan Edwards on spiritual pride].
5. Unholy living.
6. Creating dissension.
My thoughts (not discussed by the author): **Rankin doesn’t mention this, but I would add fear to this list. Satan has gotten me to do so many stupid things by causing me to be afraid and take steps to protect myself from being hurt by others instead of trusting God for my protection and walking in confidence. Fear is a tool Satan uses to control people all the time. Scientific studies easily show us that many actions, especially evil ones, are motivated by fear. In the pages of the scriptures, I see that Satan used fear to move characters to do his will. For example, the Jewish leaders killed Jesus because they were afraid that he would cause them to lose power. The guild of workers who worked in businesses that supported the shrines of the Ephesian goddess Artemis caused a riot when Paul preached there because they were afraid that they would lose money and go out of business if Paul converted more people there. As people turned from idols to worship the real God, they stopped buying the shrines they made and sold (Acts 19:23–41). They’d all go out of business! Afraid of that, they mobilized to fight Paul vigorously.
King Saul spent years trying to kill David because he was afraid of losing the throne.
In my life, the SD name change to KAF was driven by fear more than opportunity. Although the act itself was nothing wrong, the motivation was wrong, and it led some people astray. There are many others. During conflicts, I’ve noticed that I tend to quit relationships for fear of being hurt. I make all kinds of bad decisions when driven by fear that comes from the devil.
I would also add offense to the list. While related to unforgiveness, it also covers offendedness. Satan tempts us to think we have a right to take offense at what has been done and, from there, traps us with unforgiveness.
Deception is a great tactic that Satan uses. The Bible says Satan is a liar and deceiver. Knowing that our chief enemy is always trying to deceive, misdirect us, and kill us makes us run to the one who is the truth, the way, and the life (John 14:6).
Chapter 8: Adversity, Satan’s most effective weapon
Key verses and points
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you will have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] John 16:33 ESV. The author uses a different version.
“Adversity is Satan’s favorite weapon because it is common to everyone and causes us to focus on ourselves and doubt God.”
Chapter 9: Foundations for Victory
Key verses and points
“For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. 4 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
- Faith (Victory is built on the foundation of Faith).
- Renewing the mind.
- Commitment to God.
In the book, he uses an image with faith at the bottom, renewing the mind as second and then building up to show the steps.
Chapter 10: Gaining the Ultimate Victory for God’s Glory
This chapter continues the ideas in chapter 9. Rankin starts by reminding readers that the
“Steps for appropriating the victory in spiritual warfare are not necessarily progressive or sequential. Each one stands on its own as a valid principle and an essential element in a life that glorifies God. However, it does help to see how they are related and build on one another as a foundation for victory. If we are grounded on a foundation of faith, believing God and whatever His Word tells us, constantly renewing our minds in commitment and submission to the Lord, the result will be obedience, or what the Scripture often refers to as righteousness. This is what glorifies God—living in a right relationship with Him, doing His will, conforming to a righteous, holy lifestyle. It is a life that fulfills the law of God but not because of our own efforts and ability; it is because we are in submission to God, appropriating the life of Christ and being led of His Spirit.”
This chapter builds on the three foundations for victory taught in the last chapter: 1) faith, 2) renewing the mind, and 3) commitment to God. The list continues with obedience
- Faith
- Renewing the mind
- Commitment to God
- Obedience [He doesn’t use this language, but it is what I would call the obedience of faith (Romans 1:5 ESV and NASB). John Piper does the same thing.]
- In Christ (“The victory is our position in Christ.”)
- Love/Sacrifice
Practical Disciplines in Claiming Victory
He gives the following Practical Disciplines for Claiming Victory:
- Feeding on God’s Word
- Praying at all times
- Praising the Lord in all things
- Denying the flesh in fasting
- Being accountable to others
- Observing a Sabbath [I was reminded about maintaining this habit. I recently started it and then was already forgetting it. I need to schedule it and set reminders.]
Rankin, Jerry. Spiritual Warfare: The Battle for God’s Glory (p. 273). B&H Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Key verses:
Ephesians 6:10–20 (The Full Armor of God).
As he treats Ephesians 6, he suggests that it’s been helpful to him to treat the idea of putting on the armor of God as putting on God himself. He feels that if the armor is separate from God, putting it on was something he had to do with his own effort. He went through a time of struggle with understanding Ephesians 6:10-20 and had the following insight that resolved the issue for him. I need to think through it more before appropriating it (if proven).
“When we are told to put on the armor of God, it is in the genitive case, which commonly is used for the possessive form of a noun. We understand it as saying we are to put on the armor that belongs to God. It is God’s armor, something that He possesses but has made available to us. That is an appropriate translation and the way we have traditionally understood “the armor of God.”
However, grammatically there is one other use of the genitive case; it is also used in apposition. For example, if this verse had said, “Put on the armor of steel,” steel doesn’t possess the armor, but steel and armor are in apposition. They are one and the same. Could the Scriptures imply that God Himself is the armor? We are encouraged to put on something that is alien to our nature; it belongs to God, and we’ve got to figure out how to put on each implement in order to be protected from our enemy. It seemed that being protected by the armor was back to my own effort. But God Himself is the armor. We are to put Him on as our protection. Throughout the New Testament we are told to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” “to be clothed in Christ”; time and time again the Bible refers to Christians as “being in Christ.”
Yes, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and other aspects of the armor are God’s; and they are made available to us by God. They assure us of victory in standing firm, armed for defense against our enemy, if we heed the admonition to put them on. God does make available all the implements and weapons of warfare we need for overcoming Satan’s tactics, but the ability and will to put on the full armor of God is contingent on our position in Christ.”
