Sam Storms - Understanding Spiritual Warfare: A Comprehensive Guide

This is the best book that I know of on the subject of Satan and demons. It is practical and pastorally wise. It frequently warns against erroneous teachings and practices. It contains thoughtful explanations of many dozens of Scripture passages. It takes seriously the Bibles teachings about the reality of demonic influence in our world today. It gives practical, calm guidelines for prevailing in spiritual warfare through the power of Christ. And every section ends with a brief personal history told by someone who has experienced genuine deliverance from demonic oppression. Highly recommended.

Wayne Grudem, PhD, distinguished research professor of theology and biblical studies, Phoenix Seminary

Spiritual warfare is not something that the weird and wacky are dialed into. It is what is actually waging around all of us. Sam Storms gives us a clear and thoroughly biblical view of our real enemy and shows us how to walk in the victory that is already ours in Christ.

Matt Chandler, Village Church

I know of no one who combines a rigorous, intellectual approach to theology and biblical exegesis with an overtly, unabashedly charismatic supernaturalism the way Sam Storms does. He is truly unique. Understanding Spiritual Warfare is his latest treasure. It is theologically astute, biblically careful, and spiritually and experientially inspiring and enriching. Stormss book is chock-full of authentic testimonies of demonic activity and deliverance. No one can read this book and walk away with a cavalier attitude toward the reality of evil spirits. And as a scholar-pastor, Storms is careful throughout the book to provide practical wisdom and advice for cultivating a balanced and workable approach to dealing with the demonic. This is now the best book on the subject in print. It is my honor to endorse it enthusiastically.

J. P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy, Talbot School of Theology and author of Kingdom Triangle

The spiritual realm is real, which means that spiritual warfare is also real. The enemy is actively working to destroy our lives, along with the lives of those we love. Yet where can we go to find a reliable guide to this crucially important topic? We need a teacher who is grounded in the Word, full of the Spirit, and with years of experience in practical, hands-on ministry. Dr. Sam Storms is the man for the job, and here in one volume he tackles the most controversial topics, taking us into the unseen realm and showing us how we can live out the fullness of our victory in Christ. Regardless of your theological beliefs (Sam is an amillennial Calvinist; Im a premillennial Arminian), if you embrace the Word and Spirit and want to put Satan and his minions under your feet, this book will be your go-to guide.

Dr. Michael L. Brown, author of Jezebels War with America, host of the Line of Fire radio broadcast

ZONDERVAN REFLECTIVE

Understanding Spiritual Warfare

Copyright 2021 by Sam Storms

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Zondervan titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email SpecialMarkets@Zondervan.com.

ePub Edition March 2021: ISBN 978-0-310-12085-8

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Storms, C. Samuel, 1951- author.

Title: Understanding spiritual warfare : a comprehensive guide / Sam Storms.

Description: Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 2021. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020048332 (print) | LCCN 2020048333 (ebook) | ISBN 9780310120841 (paperback) | ISBN 9780310120858 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Demonology. | DevilChristianity. | Spiritual warfare.

Classification: LCC BT975 .S76 2021 (print) | LCC BT975 (ebook) | DDC 235/.4dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020048332

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020048333

The names and identifying characteristics of some of the individuals featured throughout this book have been changed to protect their privacy. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Material from Practicing the Power: Welcoming the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in Your Life by Sam Storms. Copyright 2017 by Sam Storms. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.Zondervan.com.

Adapted material from Tough Topics: Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions by Sam Storms, 2013. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.

Adapted material from Tough Topics 2: Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions by Sam Storms (Fearn, Ross-shire, UK: Christian Focus, 2015), used with permission.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version. Public domain.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org).

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Any internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Cover design: Jesse Owen / 10AM Design

Cover image: Alev Takil / Unsplash

Interior design: Denise Froehlich

21 22 23 24 25 / LSC / 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Information about External Hyperlinks in this ebook

Please note that footnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites as part of bibliographic citations. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication.

Dedicated to Kendra, Lesli, and Ann

With profound appreciation for your efforts in building the ministry of Inner Healing and Deliverance at Bridgeway, and for the love and tender care you display toward the men and women who have found freedom, joy, and healing through your prayerful commitment to showing them the unchanging love and life-changing power of Jesus Christ.