How are you spiritually lately? Have you lost your passion talking to God, reading His Word, or serving Him? Do you think your faith is shaken?
Do not give up just yet. It is possible that you are going through spiritual warfare. You can expect this to happen if you are passionate about serving God and doing His will. The enemy will attack you so you will lose faith.
However, Jesus Christ, Himself, suffered on earth when He came to do God’s will. He also warned His disciples that they would experience the same. Jesus comforted them, saying He has already overcome the world, so they should be brave to face it.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
The Bible tells us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians6:12). In other words, spiritual warfare is the Christian battle against the enemies’ attempts to thwart God’s plan and purposes for our lives.
It is the battle to maintain our relationship with God and advance His kingdom here on earth.
Spiritual warfare is not a call to physical violence. It is good versus evil, a struggle between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. It is a conflict in which God has already given us victory through His Son, Jesus Christ.
In this spiritual battle, we are not fighting alone. God is with us and has given us His Spirit to empower us. We also have the support of the entire body of Christ—all believers worldwide who are also engaged in this spiritual battle.
Here are some signs of spiritual warfare that you should know about:
Emotional or Mental Struggle
1. Depression or Anxiety Attacks
It is not true that Christians with strong faith are immune to depression. Some of the remarkable characters in the Bible, like David, Elijah, and Job, experienced depression. The enemy knows that mental conditions, such as depression and anxiety, can paralyze believers from serving God. For this reason, this is his common weapon against them.
2. Struggling with Identity Crisis
Christians may experience identity crises too. Sometimes, this happens if one has been sold out in the ministry for a long time. They could have been so busy serving God that they set their dreams aside. Then, when they see their peers succeed in the secular world, they feel left behind. They begin to doubt if they made the right decision to put God first.
3. Resurfacing Old Wounds
Another weapon that the Devil will use to attack a faithful Christian is their traumatic past. When they think they have completely healed and moved on, something will trigger the pain. It could be crossing paths with the person who caused them pain or encountering a situation that is similar to their painful past.
4. Battling with Insecurities
This is connected to no. 2. Christians who encounter an identity crisis are most likely to struggle with insecurities. They think they are not good enough and will not accomplish anything great. This struggle will make them doubt their self-worth, decision to live for Christ, and God’s love.
5. Facing Discouragements
Countless Christians left the church or stop doing ministry because of unresolved conflicts with other believers. No wonder the enemy keeps using offense to attack churches. Other discouragements that can stumble them are failures, disappointments, and rebukes.
6. Bombarded with Worries and Fear
Some believers are crippled by fears or worries in life. It could be fearing that they are not good enough to do ministry. There are others who refuse to respond to God’s call to mission because they fear for their or their family’s lives and future. Some others are anxious that they will be rejected by others if they openly profess their faith. For this reason, the Bible reminds us to be prayerful instead of drowning in anxiety.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Overwhelming Temptations
7. Patience and Temper Constantly Tested
Just like other humans, many Christians struggle with impatience and anger. The devil will keep tempting them in these areas to stain their credibility in witnessing to others. These sins are also among the common causes of conflicts in relationships and churches. No wonder, people who struggle with their patience and temper often end up discouraged with guilt and hurts.
8. Tempted to Go Back to Your Old Lifestyle
Another sign that a Christian is in spiritual warfare is how they are so tempted to return to their old self. It could be because of peer pressure, being in love with an unbeliever, discouragements, or simply missing their life of too much liberty. There are others who get burned out in the ministry who wish they could go back to simply living for themselves and their own happiness.
9. Drawn to a Wrong Relationship
As mentioned in no. 8, being in love with an unbeliever is one of the reasons why Christians are shaken in their commitment to live for God. Unbelievers are people who do not share the same faith with you. And once a Christian enters a relationship with an unbeliever, they are in danger of falling out of faith as well. This is the reason why the Bible warns against this kind of relationship.
“Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.’” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)
10. Tempted to Approach Divination Out of Despair
When confronted with too much distress, some Christians become too desperate to the point that their faith in God is shaken. That is why some are tempted to consult a fortuneteller to see any hope in their future. And others are tempted to approach witches, shamans, or psychics for spells and charms that can turn their situations around. However, God warns believers against these:
“There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or someone who consults with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-11)
11. Integrity Being Challenged
Christians may also be tempted to engage in corruption. Some are offered a large amount of money or a high position at work in exchange for dishonesty. This could be so tempting and many believers, especially the immature ones, are unable to resist this.
Faith Challenged
12. Life Pressure Discouraging You to Serve God
Most Christians struggle with pressure from work, relationships, and responsibilities too. Those who are active in ministries experience this double. They are torn between their passion to serve God all out and the demands of their secular responsibilities. Some get burned out and are tempted to give up their ministries.
13. Bombarded with Problems in the Family
The first target of the enemy when attacking believers is their family. He knows that the family is both a strength and a weakness of humans. Once a family has torn apart, a Christian is most likely to blame God and backslide from faith. For this reason, he brings chaos and unending problems into believers’ homes.
14. Doubting God’s Goodness and Faithfulness
It is normal for believers to doubt God’s love for them when experiencing too many trials. They tend to question if the Lord really cares about them and if He hears their prayers. Some think that God has abandoned them already. However, they forget that God is in control, and the trials He allows in a believer’s life are meant to be turned around for their good.
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
15. Facing Tremendous Persecutions
Persecution is one of the common spiritual attacks that a Christian can encounter. The enemy will keep using rejections, judgments, and threats to intimidate believers from proclaiming the gospel to the lost. Those who do not experience persecution must evaluate if they are really following Christ or not.
16. Doubting the Existence of God
And one of the signs of spiritual warfare is doubting that God really exists. This is the bottom line of the enemy’s attacks—he wants believers to reject God from their lives. No wonder many turn into atheism nowadays.
What Are the Weapons of Spiritual Warfare
The Bible tells us that we have been given powerful weapons for our spiritual warfare arsenal. These weapons are not physical but they are mighty in God’s power to demolish strongholds and pull down the enemy’s lies (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Let’s take a look at some of the weapons we have been given:
1. The Word of God
The Bible is the living word of God. It is a source of truth and guidance for our lives. When we read and study the Bible, we are opening ourselves up to God’s wisdom and direction.
The Bible is also a powerful weapon against the enemy. It is filled with promises of God’s protection and provision. It reminds us that we are not alone in this world and that God is always with us.
The word of God is living and active, and it can penetrate our hearts and minds, exposing the darkness within us.
In Ephesians 6:17, we are told to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. This sword is our primary weapon against the enemy and is incredibly powerful.
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:17
With the word of God, we can fight against the enemy’s lies and deception. We can also use it to build ourselves up in our faith to be better equipped to resist temptation and withstand attacks from the enemy.
2. Prayer
Prayer is a way for us to connect with God and receive His help and guidance. When we pray, we are asking God to intervene on our behalf and help us overcome the difficulties we are facing.
Prayer is also a way of aligning our hearts and minds with God’s will so we can more easily resist temptation and evil. We ask for His power and strength to manifest in our lives.
When we pray for others, we are tapping into the power of God and asking Him to work in their lives.
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
3. Fasting
Fasting is a way of humbling ourselves before God and seeking His help. It is a way of putting our trust in Him and asking for His strength to sustain us.
When we fast, we restrict our intake of food or drink (or both) for a period of time, usually for religious or spiritual reasons.
Fasting can help us to focus on God and our relationship with Him. It can also help us overcome temptation and resist the enemy’s attacks.
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:16-18
4. Praise and Worship
Praise and worship are ways of showing our love and devotion to God. When we praise Him, we are exalting His name and declaring His greatness.
When we worship Him, we bow down before Him and acknowledge His sovereignty, connect with God, and seek His help. We are praising and exalting Him above all else.
Worship reminds us of God’s goodness and mercy. It helps us focus on His goodness and His power instead of on the darkness surrounding us.
Praise and worship can be mighty weapons against the enemy. As we focus on God and His goodness, the enemy’s lies and deception begin to lose their hold on us. We are declaring our allegiance to God, and this is something that the enemy cannot tolerate.
Worship is not just singing songs; it is an attitude of the heart. It is a way of life.
“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” – Hosea 6:3
5. Intercession
Intercession is a form of prayer in which we pray for others. It is a way of asking God to intervene on behalf of someone else.
When we intercede for someone, we are asking God to work in their lives and help them overcome whatever difficulties they are facing. We are also asking for His strength to be manifested in their lives, including our enemies.
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
This is a command from Jesus to love our enemies and pray for them. When we intercede for our enemies, we are asking God to work in their lives and help them overcome the darkness they are facing.
6. Testimony
A testimony is a personal story of how God has worked in your life. It is a way of sharing the Good News with others and testifying to His power and love.
When we share our testimonies, we glorify God and proclaim His faithfulness. We are also encouraging others to turn to Him in times of trouble and trust in His power to work in their lives.
A testimony is a living witness to His goodness and mercy. It is a powerful weapon against the enemy because it reminds us of all that God has done for us and how He is always faithful.
When we hear someone else’s testimony, it gives us hope and encouragement. It reminds us that God is real and that He is working in the lives of His people.
“And they have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” – Revelation 12:11
7. The Name of Jesus
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” – Proverbs 18:10
When we call on the name of Jesus, we are tapping into His power and authority, and asking for His help and protection. We are also declaring our allegiance to Him and our faith in Him.
The name of Jesus is a powerful weapon against the enemy because it reminds us who we are in Christ and what He has done for us. It is a declaration of our faith and our trust in Him.
Keep Fighting
If you think you are in spiritual warfare, do not panic. The devil attacks you because he knows God is using you for His glory. Instead of surrendering in defeat, be courageous and bold in declaring your allegiance to Christ. Do not fear, for you are surrounded by thousands of His angels.
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