Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is not a mere metaphor or figment of our imagination; it’s a very real and intentional battle waged by the enemy against those who follow God's calling. As we step into God's purpose for our lives, or even challenge the works of darkness, we will inevitably face spiritual opposition from forces that seek to undermine our faith, distract us, and derail God's plan for us.
Understanding Spiritual Warfare: A Real and Ongoing Battle
Spiritual warfare is often misunderstood as something purely symbolic, but it’s a genuine, active battle fought in the spiritual realm. As Christians, we are called to live according to God’s purpose, and in doing so, we find ourselves in a conflict with forces that oppose God’s will—forces that are not always visible, but their impact can be deeply felt. This battle is not one of flesh and blood but is fought against spiritual forces of evil. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12).
The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
The Bible makes it clear that spiritual warfare is not some abstract idea; it’s a real, ongoing struggle. As we pursue God’s calling for our lives, whether through ministry, personal growth, or simply trying to live out our faith, we will encounter resistance. This opposition may manifest in different ways—temptations, doubts, confusion, or external attacks that seem to come out of nowhere. The enemy seeks to hinder our progress and turn our hearts away from God's truth.
In Matthew 4:1:1-11, Jesus faced spiritual warfare during time here with us. The enemy came to tempt Him, trying to divert Him from His mission. In the same way, Satan is relentless in his attacks on believers who are determined to follow Christ, especially if we are aiming to disrupt his kingdom of darkness or assault his strongholds here on earth.
What Spiritual Warfare Looks Like
Spiritual warfare appears in many forms. Some are overt and some are more subtle. It may look like:
Mental and Emotional Struggles: Constant negative thoughts, feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, or depression that arises without clear explanation.
Temptation and Distraction: The enemy might bring temptations into our lives that feel overwhelming, or create distractions that lead us away from focusing on God's will. If you are focusing on what your neighbor is doing, you are not focusing on what God has called you to do.
Physical Illness or Struggles: Sometimes, the battle manifests physically, with illness, financial challenges, or relational conflicts designed to wear us down and distract us from our mission. One of the enemy’s favorite attacks is to go after our loved ones. He knows our love for others can be used to distract or divide us.
Doubt and Confusion: You may find yourself doubting God's promises, questioning your faith, or experiencing confusion about your purpose or direction in life.
One of the enemy’s most potent forms of spiritual warfare is to convince us that there is no such thing as spiritual warfare. Is everything we face a spiritual attack? No, of course not, but if you are on the path God has called you on and working to further God’s purpose and plan, then you should know that you are in the crosshairs of the enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
Defending Against Spiritual Warfare
Defense against spiritual warfare is multi-faceted. The first thing you must do is prepare for the attack before it even comes. Thankfully, God has given us all that we need to prepare for these attacks. Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us the full armor of God. These are the spiritual truths that will protect and strengthen you for upcoming battle. The armor referenced in Ephesians 6 is tried and tested by God himself and the warriors that came before us. You can see it in Isaiah 59:16-17; Isaiah 11:5, Isaiah 49:2, and Isaiah 52:7. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 and Romans 13:11-14 also instruct us to put on the armor of God. It is important to note that 6 of the pieces of arms and armor are all defensive, and only 1 is offensive. They are specifically designed by God to allow us to withstand the attacks of Satan and his forces.
The Belt of Truth: We must know and live by God’s truth, which will protect us from the lies of the enemy. The truth is the first and most important piece of the armor, because without it, nothing else works. It all falls apart if we don’t know and believe in the truth. “So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Ephesians 4:14). The truth is that God is with us - at all times, in all situations, HE IS HERE. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:16). “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17). This isn’t figurative, it isn’t an idea, it is God, as the Holy Spirit, living inside of us and guiding us in all that we do. “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” (John 15:26). This is how we combat the lies and the schemes of Satan.
The Breastplate of Righteousness: Living righteously and according to God’s will shields our hearts from condemnation and guilt. What is righteous living? Tim Mackey from The Bible Project explains it pretty well, “Dikaiosune, or righteousness, means living in right relationship with God, other people, and all creation. We act with righteousness when we live justly, honestly, and faithfully according to God’s instruction. In Jesus’ teachings, righteousness describes not only fasting and prayer but also giving generously to the poor, forgiving others, and loving our enemies. To live this way is to do right by God” (The Bible Project).
The Gospel of Peace (Shoes): How can the gospel of peace be shoes and where do we find some in our size? Encourage rather than discourage, resolve conflicts, make peace with anyone you may have a problem with because those feelings you are holding onto are strongholds that Satan can use to get to you. If you are not living peacefully with EVERYONE in your life, then you have invited Satan to come for you and provided him a map on how exactly to attack you. Yes, we all get angry. Yes, that person was probably wrong, but you have got to let it go. You cannot open the door for the enemy.
The Shield of Faith: Trusting in God’s promises is our defense against the fiery darts of doubt and fear. Satan wants you to doubt, he wants you to question whether God is really with you. It is his goal to drive a wedge between you and the Father. Your faith in God is a powerful defense against the enemy. It is more than just belief, it is a choice, a decision, an act of empowerment and resolution to stand firm in your belief and trust in God no matter what. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1).
The Helmet of Salvation: Our assurance of salvation protects us when Satan tries to whisper lies and introduce fear into our lives. If we know we are saved by the grace of God, and we know we are the beloved and cherished children of God, the creator of all things, the same being that has already defeated Satan, then when the enemy tries to tell you that you aren’t good enough, your past is too sketchy, you’re not smart enough, wise enough, righteous enough to have been chosen by God, you can rebuke his lies and they will dissipate like smoke. That isn’t to say that he won’t keep coming at you, but as you fight off more and more of these attacks, you will begin to immediately recognize it for what it is and rebuke it before the thought is complete.
The Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God is our weapon, enabling us to combat lies and temptations with truth. It is both an offensive and a defensive weapon. It can be used to cut down the enemy, or to parry his attacks. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT! When Satan comes at you, if you know the word of God, your sword is already drawn and ready! KNOW your Bible. Daunting task I know, but trust me on this - YOU NEED IT. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). If the enemy offers you something that looks good, but you know God has spoken out against it in his Word, then you will recognize it as an attack. “…but test everything, hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). With the sword of the spirit, you can cut through everything and see what really lies at the center. Every day, every single day, you need to be in your Bible.
Prayer: Constant prayer, both personal and intercessory, is essential to staying strong and connected to God’s power. This is not technically part of the armor as listed in Ephesians, but it is certainly important enough to include it in this list. You cannot just slip on the armor without prayer, and you cannot just pray without the armor, it is a package deal. You need the armor, and you need prayer. You should, at all times, have an open line of communication with God. I open my prayer to him before I put one foot out of my bed, and the last thing I do at night before I sleep is pray and ask him to visit me in my dreams. Better than 7-11, God is with us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and he is never out of stock. The company you keep will shape who you are, so keep God as your daily life partner, walking in all ways with him, and relying on him to carry you when you cannot carry yourself.
How to Stand Firm
Right, so you know the armor, you have the armor, you have God with you, and you can still feel the attacks coming, now what? After you have prayed, start reciting scripture. I personally do this aloud because the enemy hates to hear the word of God. There is power in God's truth, and when we speak it out, we not only remind ourselves of His promises but also drive back the forces of the enemy. The Bible tells us that God's word (scripture) and the Word (Jesus) is alive and active, sharper than any sword, and it pierces through the lies the enemy tries to plant in our minds.
But standing firm also means not allowing the enemy to wear you down with discouragement or doubt. Keep your eyes on God, and don't allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the battle. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, no things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39). Spiritual warfare isn't about withstanding the enemy through your own strength. It’s about relying on God’s power to fight the battle for you. He is the ultimate victor, and we fight from a place of victory, not defeat. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Finally, never underestimate the power of community. Spiritual warfare can be isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone. Seek support from fellow believers who can pray with you, encourage you, and help you stay strong when the battle gets tough. Together, we are part of the body of Christ, and we are called to stand firm side by side.
The enemy will come against you, it is all but guaranteed if you are in fellowship with God and doing what he has called you to do. But with the armor of God, the word of God, the Word, and the power of prayer, you can stand firm and resist him. Find a place of rest, a quiet spot that you have prayed over and can go to recharge. I have a cafe in one area, a small room (fine, it’s more like a closet) at home, and my car. These are places where I can go and be alone with God, cry to him, beg for relief, replenish, shore up the armor that may be slipping or damaged, and then go back out into the fight knowing that God is with me. Through Him, you will overcome.
Conclusion
Spiritual warfare is a real and powerful force in our lives, especially as we step into God’s calling and begin to challenge the enemy and his minions here on earth. It’s a battle that requires us to stay grounded in God's truth, equipped with his armor, and committed to a life of prayer and obedience. We do not fight alone—God is with us, and through his strength, we can overcome any attack that comes our way. Christ has already overcome the world, our role is to stand firm in that victory and bring as many people to his truth as possible while there is still breath in our lungs. "“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
