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The book of Judges tells a sad story.

After many early victories the war stalled even though God had not only given them amazing promises, He actually came through for them over and over again by His great power.

But after Joshua, Israel ignored their own history, ignored God’s word and back slid into sin. The result was a terrible enemy oppression. They would cry out to God, and in His amazing grace He would hear their cry and send a deliverer to defeat the enemy and release them from the oppression. This went on for nearly 300 years as God raised up one deliverer judge after another. The judge would secure victory over the enemy accompanied by some level of national revival. There would be a season of blessing only to be followed by more back sliding. So the cycle would repeat itself.

The people were seduced again and again by the Canaanite culture which they never completely eradicated as an evil influence in their cities.

One day while reading Judges 5 I was struck by the line, “Then war was in the gates.” (V 8 NASB) This began a journey understanding spiritual warfare for cities in a new, more targeted and strategic way. In The Bible gates stand for the city as we have seen in Abraham’s mandate to possess the gates of the enemy. (Gen. 22:17) This theme is built upon through the Old Testament and into the New Testament as we will see.

The old walled cities had their seat of power in the city gates, a little like a city hall and law courts all rolled into one. This was generally presided over by the resident king, judge or tribal elders. The city merchants often constructed markets and conducted trading there as well.

Additionally every city had a dominant temple with the presiding god of the city reflected by the power brokers in the gate. This set the culture of the city.

The gates of the city set the scene with an unholy trinity of a “marriage of an economics of privilege and exploitation, a politics of oppression and a religion of idolatrous control” explains Robert Linthicum in his book “City of God City of Satan”. He goes on to say that “the consequences of total submission to the principalities and powers in the city’s economic, political, and religious life is its total destruction. It has destroyed itself spiritually. Therefore its physical destruction is only a matter of time.” (Pages 283 and 284) This describes Babylon which is Satan’s anti-God city and the model for every city he seeks to control.

Linthicum also says that “the city is a primary battleground between God and Satan.” (Page 138)

Every city and town in the world reflects an ever increasing and emboldened power structure seeking to erase all Christian influence from the public square (gates). Psalm 2 spells out the intentions of the enemy in an unambiguous manner. This is seen in power encounters as the apostles sought to plant churches in Roman cities, as recorded in Acts.

So the war is in the gates. Whoever controls the gates control the city. The community in the city and the culture of the city are shaped by the controlling influence from those gates.

The church is called to be a counter-cultural community reflecting the heavenly city and as dual citizens influence the earthly city by its example of a servant hearted sacrificial life style. This of course includes the power of the Spirit to redeem, heal and restore, releasing people from demonic oppression and possession.

In a small way we have witnessed this in our own city. For a season the churches collaborated with many of the leaders praying together weekly. Wonderful bonds of relationships were formed and from this foundation several effective city wide ministries sprang up, bringing impact and fruitfulness. The city had a powerful intercessors group of mainly older people who prayed constantly for the purposes of God. A major focus of these prayers were the “gates.”

Over time Christians, or those sympathetic to Christian values, came to occupy places of influence including as city councillors and state and federal politicians. Added to this was a growing support for Christian events and initiatives in the city from many business people. This included many who were not necessarily involved in a church.

At no time did the church as an institution try to “occupy the gates.” This is not the role of the church. The key was a focus on the “gates” of the city through prayer and involvement. God led many to connect with leaders in these spheres. These leaders came to appreciate that the churches were working together for the good of the city. Some expressed surprise as they were not used to seeing churches collaborating in so many areas.

I used to think that a small city could not influence the culture as that seemed to emanate from larger cities. However I came to see this was not true. Ongoing connections with the local mayor and other city leaders are still impacting our city culture. For example the current mayor and some city councillors with other city leaders are supporting an initiative called A City Free from Porn. The mayor hosts an annual rally and speaks at events to raise awareness on this subject. Porn is behind much of the domestic violence and sexual abuse which are scourges in our cities. Little by little culture is changing in this area. Recently high school principals have combined to get an anti porn message to their students.

The enemy seeks to promote his “leaders” into places of power, especially into the “gates” of the city. The “gates” will decree, knowingly or unknowingly, decisions and actions that will bring justice or injustice to the city. For example the state government, against the wishes of the city council and most of the citizens of the city, forced the legalisation of brothels on the city. This is an injustice. Too often governments or courts force unjust decisions on people that result in pain and suffering for many.

Some will be surprised at the suggestion that the “trinity” of influence in the gates include religion. Every city has a prevailing religion that influences the way people think and in turn informs the decisions leaders make. The religion of secular humanism where humanity is its own god is the current religion of most western nations. Secular humanism is fast becoming the new totalitarian religion of large sections of western society. Its intolerance to any Christian influence in the public square is clearly evident.

The culture of a city arises from the prevailing religion of that city. While the prevailing religion of a city could be one of the well known world religions, in the west, it is more likely to be secular humanism.

Religion shapes culture or as I heard someone say once, “The culture of a place is its religion externalised.” The most graphic example of this is the way Islam so totally dominates the culture of some nations.

This trinity of power, mammon and religion control the culture of the “gates” and thus the city.

The “war is in the gates” and occupiers of these political and economic positions combined with the prevailing religious influence will impact a city’s community and culture by bringing (or allowing) justice or injustice in a city.

These three impact on all other spheres and institutions of city life. All spheres of city life are important. However government and commerce control and or influence education, media, health, social services, the arts and even the family. Many of these “gates” are seeking to control and reshape Christianity.

The church as a counter cultural worshipping and working community within the wider community will ultimately win the war in the “gates.” But Christians wage war by worshipping on their knees and work by carrying a “bowl and towel.” In other words a humble, serving, sacrificial community of faith caring for the needy, and involving themselves in every area of city life is the path to victory.

No war is ever won by remaining at headquarters. God is calling the church to rise up, speak up and move out onto the “battlefield” of our cities and towns. In Christ the war is already won. Darkness and oppression have no place in our cities. They belong to God not the Devil.

One of the blessings of Abraham is to possess the gates of the enemy. (Gal. 3:14; Gen. 22:17) This is the work of the church.

Deborah, a prophet and judge in Israel, faced these challenges when she needed to rally Israel to war against the oppressor king. (Judges 4-5)

In Judges 5 she sang the song of victory. Before she could rally an army she was faced with the loss of leaders who had a warrior spirit. It had even become dangerous to travel. The people had gone after other gods and had no stomach for battle. This brought about her statement that the war was in the gates. The reason was that the people were worshipping other gods and allowing them to control the city agenda.

But Deborah arose and called the nation to God. While a minority of tribes responded at least their leaders responded to the call to battle. When the people saw that their leaders were prepared to stand and fight, the people freely volunteered for this war to free the nation from enemy oppression. The victory culminated in the famous story of another woman, Jael, having the courage to drive a tent peg through the enemy king's temple.

The lesson today is obvious; for leaders of courage to arise and call the church to action. As Deborah discovered, if leaders lead the people volunteer. People need to see leaders with a clear eyed vision and the courage to act.

Our cities belong to God not Satan. However as we proceed with the biblical story we will see that unseating Satan from his demonic control of a city comes in surprising ways.

By Ian Shelton Coordinator of Movement Australia