Let's talk about spiritual warfare. It can sound scary, can't it? The idea of a battle we can't see might feel overwhelming. But what if we changed our perspective? What if, instead of fear, we chose faith?
God tells us again and again in His Word not to be afraid! He is with us and will equip us with everything we need to do what we're called to do.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. — 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
This is our starting point!
We don't have to live in fear of the enemy. Not at all!
Fear paralyzes, but awareness prepares. Being a Christian doesn't mean ignoring the reality of spiritual opposition. It means being watchful and discerning.
As J. R. R. Tolkien wrote in The Hobbit:
"It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near one".
How do we do that? By staying connected to the Holy Spirit! When we are in tune with Him, He gives us wisdom. He alerts us to the enemy's schemes. We learn to recognize his lies and distractions.
Think of it like this: You are a soldier in God's army. A good soldier is not afraid of the battle, but they are prepared for it. They know their enemy, but more importantly, they know their Commander! Our Commander has already won the war. Jesus defeated sin, death, and the devil on the cross.
- We are fighting from a place of victory, not for victory!
So, how do we fight back? We have the most powerful weapon: the Word of God. The Bible calls it "the sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17). When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, how did He respond? He quoted Scripture! He used the Word to shut down every lie and every temptation. We can do the same thing.
When you feel attacked by thoughts of fear, doubt, or insecurity, fight back with truth! Search for a verse that speaks directly to that specific lie and declare it. Get loud! Speak back against the enemy using the Word —
Your words have power when they are aligned with God's Word.
We are not called to be passive. We are called to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. — James 4:7 ESV
Resisting isn't a suggestion; it's a command! And it comes with a promise: he will flee!
So, walk in confidence today. You are a child of the King! You have His Spirit inside you, His Word in your hand, and His victory as your reality. Don't be afraid of the darkness. Just turn on the light! Stay watchful, stay in the Word, and stand firm in your faith. You've got this because HE has got you!
If you're looking for some tools to help you understand the battle and fight back with the help of the Holy Spirit, I recommend these:
Books to Help You Battle Spiritual Warfare
PRE-ORDER — The Unseen Battle by Dr. Joel Muddamalle. Joel uses Paul's supernatural household framework--the idea that God has both a supernatural and a human family--to clearly explain the cosmic worldview of the Bible. Weaving through the Old and New Testaments, his approach tells the story of the ongoing spiritual war and Christ's victory over dark powers. Learn more.
What You Need to Know About Spiritual Warfare by Max Anders — This guide clearly outlines what the Bible teaches about spiritual warfare—no religious scare tactics, just non-sensational information about good angels, bad angels, Satan, and the One who holds the ultimate victory, God. Equip yourself with impenetrable spiritual armor to resist evil with this practical guide. Learn more.
Spiritual Warfare Is Real Bible study by Jim Cymbala — When we spiritually zone out, doze off, fall asleep, we are forgetting that we are in the middle of a war--and Satan loves it this way! He loves to convince people he doesn't exist. But Satan is real. He is an actual enemy of our soul. He is waging a real war against us. And we need to wake up and get in the fight. Learn more.
Gospel According to Satan by Jared C. Wilson. — Don't let the title scare you off! Not every lie sounds untrue. Some lies are repeated so often they seem to be common sense. That's why lies about God are so dangerous. The Gospel According to Satan examines eight lies the enemy wants us to believe and provides eight lies of counterattack against them. Learn more.
The Spiritual Warfare Answer Book by David Jeremiah — In an easy-to-understand Q&A format, trusted pastor and bestselling author Dr. David Jeremiah brings clarity to the complex topic of spiritual warfare in The Spiritual Warfare Answer Book and reveals how you can utilize the full armor of God to protect yourself. From his years of teaching on this subject, Pastor Jeremiah has selected answers to your pertinent questions concerning victory in the spiritual realm. The Bible says God will ultimately be victorious and win the spiritual war. But it also says He has given every Christian promises and power to win our daily spiritual battles. Learn more.
Your Story Has a Villain by J onathan Pokluda — Satan has waged a war with the Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and his sole desire is to keep you from God's goodness. He knows that he has been defeated by Jesus' death and resurrection, but until the final battle when he is cast into hell for eternity, he and his demons roam the earth like a roaring lion looking for anyone to devour. He is far more disruptive to our lives than we realize, and it's time to take action. Learn more.
Hell: a Guide by Anthony DeStefano — Rooted in solid, orthodox Christian scholarship, this one-of-a-kind book investigates everything there is to know about one of the most fascinating, yet often misunderstood, subjects of all time. Find answers to all your questions about hell. Explore the topics of hell, the devil, demons, and evil itself. Learn more.
Breaking Strongholds in the African-American Family by Clarence Walker — Black churches and their leaders are at the front line of a war for the lives of people bound by fear, anger, and idolatry. Sociologists, politicians, and economists all have failed to solve the complex problems of African-American families. But victory is available - and believers hold the key. In Breaking the Strongholds in the African-American Family, Dr. Clarence Walker unfolds a plan for spiritual warfare using the weapons of God. Learn more.
Overcoming the Enemy by Dr. Charles Stanley — Defeat the devil every time he attacks. Many people today believe the devil does not exist. They think he is merely an ancient myth or a metaphor to explain the presence of evil in our world. However, the Bible clearly teaches that Satan is very real - and that he will stop at nothing to bring about our destruction. That’s the bad news… But, the good news is that Jesus Christ has already defeated the devil - utterly, permanently, and irrevocably. While this does not mean we will never be confronted with his evil, we have the promise that in Christ we will always have the victory over him. Learn more.
Larson's Book of Spiritual Warfare by Bob Larson — This book is a window into a world many Christians have no idea exists. An expert on the occult, cults and supernatural phenomena, Bob Larson provides a comprehensive guide to the motivating factors of much of the deviant behavior occurring in society today. Learn more.
Understanding Spiritual Warfare by Sam Storms — If we're to take Scripture seriously, we can't overlook the biblical assertions about the spiritual battles between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil. The truth is that believers in Jesus are certain to encounter men and women of all ages who are oppressed, tormented, and tempted by demonic powers. In Understanding Spiritual Warfare, Sam Storms confronts the reality of the spiritual conflict in our midst, the threat of the demonic, and how we, as Christians, can respond to such a threat in our own lives and in the lives of others. Learn more.
The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare by Dr. Ed Murphy — Your guide to understanding all dimensions of spiritual warfare! The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare is the most thorough treatment available of biblical and theological foundations and practical concerns for spiritual warfare. Learn more.
Playing with Fire by Billy Hallowell — What is Our Fascination with the Other Side? Join investigative reporter Hallowell as he delves into the strange phenomena of supernatural activity. Themes of demonic possession, exorcism, and ghosts have overtaken Hollywood, with countless films and TV shows delving into the age-old struggle against evil. Learn more.
When the Enemy Strikes by Charles Stanley — Fear, discouragement, loneliness, anger, temptation. These struggles are common to every human. Yet not all circumstances or negative emotions originate within. They could be the result of a willful, coordinated assault of Satan. In When the Enemy Strikes, best-selling author Dr. Charles Stanley explores the often-overlooked reality of spiritual warfare - the tactics used by Satan to taunt, confuse, slander, and harm. Your adversary wants to crush your will, delay your promise, hinder your destiny, destroy your relationships, and lead you into sin. Dr. Stanley reveals how you should respond. Learn more.
