We are living in a very serious warzone facing countless spiritual battles. This is a time when peace is hard to find. What many people fail to realize is that the number one battle that takes place in our lives is in our head. The Bible tells us, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:3-5). There are certain satanic strongholds that imprison us each day that we must be aware of. The battles are taking place in our thoughts and the Devil uses this as an opportunity to attack us daily. Luckily, one of our greatest spiritual weapons is the Bible that can help us counter any of the enemy’s attacks. Here are six Bible verses when you’re facing spiritual battles.
Ephesians 6:10-11
The Devil will attack you when you’re in a weak position, both physically and emotionally. Jesus was attacked after He had fasted for 40 days. The Bible tells us, “[Jesus] had fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards He was famished. The tempter came and said to Him, ‘If indeed you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread” (Matthew 4:2-3). The Devil attempted to attack Jesus at one of his lowest points physically. There are those who will nurse their weaknesses and keep them. If you are one of these people, you will never be free. The Devil has you in his grasp and will keep you there, willingly. Thankfully, we have this wonderful assurance from God from Ephesians: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes" (Ephesians 6:10-11).
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Are you unusually sluggish or tired? A lack of energy and vitality are often the result of an extended attack. Yes, these issues can occur from other problems, including sleep or health battles; however, one of the biggest signs that you’re under spiritual attack is when you’re feeling tired and that tired separates you from doing the things God has called you to do. Isaiah writes that “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall feel exhausted” (Isaiah 40:30) but waiting on God renews their strength and displays godly wisdom for there is an empowerment in waiting, resting and relying upon God and not ourselves. God’s Word reminds us of God’s protection during spiritual attack: "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The Devil will attack you when you are beginning a new spiritual quest. There is nothing he hates more than you building up your relationship with God and growing in your faith. Right after Jesus was attacked by the Devil, He began His public ministry. The Bible tells us, “From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). Knowing Jesus was about to begin His ministry, the Devil attacked Him, but Jesus was not deterred. On the beginning of any new spiritual journey, the Devil will attempt to sabotage and distract you in an effort to keep you from growing closer to God and expanding the mission of Christ. Do not let him defeat you. Thankfully, God reminds us that the spiritual weapons he provides us with have incredible power: "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
1 Peter 5:8-9
The Devil will attack you when you’re going through a period of extreme frustration. During a spiritual attack, the enemy uses a variety of circumstances to repress the mind and bring great frustration. When you are under siege, you may find yourself feeling on edge, anxious or agitated. In these moments, a simple conversation with your partner or friend can turn into an explosive argument and a simple thought in your head can take you down a roller coaster of negative emotions. You may also find yourself saying things that are out of character or not feeling quite like yourself. This isn’t just in your head. In moments such as these, it’s important that you center your focus on God. This is why it’s so important that we’re on guard. The Bible reminds us, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
James 4:7
The Devil will attempt to lure you to quick-fixes when you’re hurt and in pain. He wants you to believe he has all the answers, not God. If you are having problems in your relationship, he will feed you bad words and thoughts about that person to break the relationship down even more. If you are battling an illness or in physical pain, he will try to make you believe that God isn’t present and doesn’t care about what you’re going through. If you don’t seek God in these moments, the Devil will make you wonder if God is really good. We are so blessed to have this wonderful assurance during spiritual attack: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
Romans 8:37-39
The Devil attacks us when we’re alone because he knows we are most vulnerable when others aren’t around us. He also thinks this is when we’re at our weakest point. The Bible tells us, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil” (Matthew 4:1). He knew Jesus was alone and he tempted him. The Devil can detect when you’re feeling alone. In these moments of attack, he wants you to believe that you’re all alone. At times when you feel like the Devil won’t leave you alone, it’s important to remember that God is with you! Thankfully, with God we know that nothing can separate us from God’s love which is always present, even during spiritual battles: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37-39).
If you are part of the body of Christ, then be assured the Devil is going to try to destroy you. While everything can’t be blamed on the Devil, there are a lot of things that are a result of his work and it’s important to know when he is working in our own lives. If we are not on guard, he has the power to destroy us and separate us from our Heavenly Father. There is nothing he would love more. Yet, when we are protected and guarded, we have the power to push back at any of his attacks.
