This is Spiritual: Understanding the Reality of Spiritual Warfare

In a world filled with turmoil and conflict, it’s easy to view our struggles as merely physical or circumstantial. However, there’s a deeper reality at play. The Bible teaches us that “we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world” (Ephesians 6:12). Our battles are spiritual in nature, and understanding this truth is essential for every believer.

Who Is Our Enemy?

Our enemy is Satan, also referred to as the devil, serpent, accuser, and adversary. He was originally created for good as a worship leader but chose pride and rebellion against God. Satan now leads demonic beings—evil spirits who serve under his authority.

Satan was present in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. While some theologians believe Satan existed and had already fallen before Genesis 1 (the gap theory), others believe Satan fell at the same time as Adam and Eve. What’s clear is that Satan was created to worship God but decided to make worship about himself rather than God.

His purpose now is to destroy us and keep us from experiencing God’s best. He hates truth because “there is no truth in him. He is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

Why Does God Allow Satan and Demonic Forces to Exist?

God allows Satan and demonic forces to exist because freedom means real choices, even the choice to rebel. Freedom is love, and God lets people see what comes from rejecting Him. God’s plan is to win people back through love, truth, and power.

It’s important to understand that God doesn’t cause evil. Either we cause harm through our own poor choices, or the enemy causes it. God is good, and while He doesn’t cause evil, He can take what was meant for evil and use it for good.

Evil is temporary. The enemy may win some battles, but we have ultimate victory in Jesus.

7 Tactical Truths About the Enemy’s Schemes

1. They Are Real and Organized

The enemy isn’t random—he works through spiritual networks and coordinated attacks. Like a football team studying their opponent’s weaknesses, demonic forces study our vulnerabilities and attack accordingly.

Look for patterns in your life where the enemy consistently gets you. Be vigilant, not fearful.

2. They Strategize to Devour Souls

Every temptation, lie, and accusation has one goal: to pull you away from God. The enemy doesn’t tempt you with something ugly—he makes it look attractive, but it’s meant to hook and drag you away.

As 1 Peter 5:8 says, “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” His only purpose is to devour souls.

3. He Waits for Opportune Moments

The enemy doesn’t attack when you’re feeling strong. He waits for moments of weakness—times of stress, grief, spiritual neglect, fatigue, or isolation.

Luke 4:13 tells us that after tempting Jesus, the devil “left him until the next opportunity came.” The enemy is patient and strategic, waiting for the right moment to strike.

4. They Whisper Lies

Demonic forces whisper lies, temptations, and accusations. Their words aim to confuse, accuse, or distort God’s truth. They attack your identity and your understanding of who God is.

The enemy’s first recorded words in Scripture were “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1). He continues to question God’s word and your identity in Christ.

Men, be especially vigilant about the lies the enemy whispers to your wives and daughters. Combat these lies with prayer and by speaking words of life over them.

5. They Manipulate Emotions and Behavior

The enemy provokes anger, despair, and irrational decisions. If he can stir your feelings, he can steer your actions.

When you find yourself experiencing sudden emotional swings or obsessive thoughts with no clear cause, recognize this may be spiritual warfare.

6. They Exploit Permission or Passivity

Open doors like unforgiveness, bitterness, or unrepentant sin invite ongoing oppression. While Christians cannot be possessed (darkness cannot exist where light is), passivity can give demons permission to oppress you.

Matthew 12:43-44 warns that when an evil spirit leaves a person, it returns to find its former home. If that home is empty, the spirit returns with seven others more wicked than itself. When removing something bad from your life, fill that space with Jesus.

7. God’s Protection Far Exceeds Demonic Power

While attacks exist, every scheme is under Christ’s authority and can be resisted in Jesus’ name. We can have confidence in prayer, God’s Word, and Scripture as immediate defenses.

Ephesians 6 tells us that the Word of God is “sharper than any double-edged sword.” Jesus gives us the authority and power to resist demonic forces.

How to Stand Firm Against Spiritual Attacks

As spiritual people, we must take spiritual warfare seriously. We cannot be distracted by the enemy any longer. Here’s how to stand firm:

• Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6)
• Pray fervently for your family, community, and nation
• Speak truth with love and grace
• Have confidence in God’s protection (Psalm 91)
• Remember that Jesus has given you authority over all the power of the enemy

Every attack has a strategy, but every believer has a Savior. The devil may plot, but Jesus has already won. You don’t have to fight for victory—you get to fight from victory.

Life Application

This week, I challenge you to become more aware of spiritual warfare in your daily life. Here are some questions to reflect on:

• What patterns of spiritual attack do you notice in your life? Where does the enemy consistently target you?
• Are there areas where you’ve been passive, potentially giving the enemy a foothold?
• How can you better equip yourself with God’s Word to combat the lies of the enemy?
• Who in your life needs you to speak words of life and truth over them to counter the enemy’s lies?

Take time each morning to put on the full armor of God through prayer. Ask God to make you vigilant, not fearful, and to help you recognize the enemy’s schemes. Remember, “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).