Spiritual Battles and How To Fight Back
I had two people in mind when I was writing this article on spiritual battles. Here are the two hearts I’ve been praying for as I finish this bit of writing:
I’m thinking of the discouraged believer. The one wrestling with doubt, burnout, and maybe even despair. You may feel like you’re in a spiritual rut. Maybe you’re in a season of life that feels like a grind right now and you’re ready for a break. You’re tempted to take your foot off the metaphorical gas pedal and coast along in your faith for a while.
This bit of writing is also for the person far from God. Whether you used to be walking closely with Him or you’re skeptical about His existence. Maybe you question the goodness of God. Evil seems too rampant for a good God to be in the mix, right? This bit of writing is for you, too.
My Own Spiritual Battles
I found myself getting caught in a pattern of discouragement and negativity the last week or so. There were a lot of, “I can’t believe I said that,” “I feel like I’m failing at everything,” and “What am I even doing?” thoughts running through my brain. Have you ever had times when your thought life fell into a pattern of negativity and defeatism? It’s hard to regroup and get back on a path of what’s true.
In the back of my mind, I knew that I was the target of a spiritual attack. (Not that it wasn’t more than that, but it definitely wasn’t less than that). Satan has no new cards to play, they always come in the form of discouragement, questioning my identity and worth, and questioning God’s calling on my life to make Him known.
I know when I hear friends share similar thoughts that the enemy is at work, trying to discourage her from walking in the strength of the Spirit to honor God in her home, community, and workplace. A thought life rooted in negativity and discouragement will cripple our efforts to glorify God with our life. Because an anxious mind is often self-focused when it comes down to it. Satan is in the business of anxiety and worry.
Know Thy Enemy
In the Lord’s perfect timing, my devotional for the day was on the attributes of Satan. I’ve committed to believing that there are truly no accidents when it comes to following Jesus. Living that way has brought my life much more adventure and also keeps my heart better attuned to where God is working.
Even if you don’t profess to be a Christian or follower of Jesus, you have an enemy, too. Like it or not, you’re an image bearer of God. Meaning, there are parts of you that reflect Him and His nature. Your very existence points to the fact that a Creator exists.
These are the passages in scripture I studied that morning:
1. This is when Jesus is talking to the scribes and the Pharisees, just for reference: “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
2. “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15
3. “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” John 12:31
4. “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” Revelation 12:9-10
5. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Let’s Summarize
To summarize, Satan is in the business of death. Not only does Jesus say that he is a liar, but he is the father of lies. Every lie that ever existed or will exist originates with him. Satan is evil, wicked, and corrupt. There is no goodness in him. God has allowed him to have a measure of authority on Earth (for a time). He is deceptive, a peddler of falsehoods and misinformation. Satan is an accuser of believers, a spiritual prosecutor if you will. His aim is to bring the focus on your sins, shortcomings, and failures. To make you question your worthiness and standing with God. Shame is his business and shame promotes guilt that pushes us away from God. It doesn’t bring repentance and reconciliation with our Father. Lastly, Satan is bent on the destruction of those who love God. Whether it be physical, relational, or spiritual.
Now typically I don’t love to give Satan too much air time, but I wanted to lay his game plan out on the table so we know who we’re dealing with. Knowing your enemy is crucial to fighting his tactics. It’s a classic military concept. When we know who we’re dealing with and what weapons are at their disposal, we are better equipped to fight back.
Let’s Talk About Who God Is
To counter these attributes, I wrote down the ways God is the antithesis of these traits. Our biggest weapon in spiritual battles is to remember whose side we are on.
Here’s what I came up with:
1. God is a creator. He brings life and newness to the world. Not only that, He made a way for us to live forever with Him through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Every living thing that has ever been or will ever be started with Him.
2. God is the Father of truth. He brings clarity to us through His Word about what is right and beautiful. God is honest and genuine.
3. God is good. There is no darkness in him (1 John 1:5). God’s character is marked by integrity and uprightness.
4. God is the ruler of the heavens and the Earth. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present. Not only did he make the heavens and the Earth, but He is Lord of them, ruling and reigning right now with His authority as Creator.
5. God is trustworthy and open. We have access to Him through His Word and the Holy Spirit.
6. God is our advocate and defender. He is the One who exonerates us and frees us from the power and penalty of sin through the work of Jesus. God brings freedom to our lives. In this age and the age to come. He offers us forgiveness.
7. God is always looking for someone to save. He pursues a relationship with His children and runs after those far from Him, hoping they will become part of God’s family.
Do you see how good trumps evil every time? Despite Satan’s tactics to discourage us and keep us from walking out of the “good works” God has prepared for us, we vanquish his effectiveness when we remind ourselves of what’s true. When we remind ourselves of God’s love, power, and sovereignty. When we fix our eyes on Jesus instead of meditating on the obstacles before us.
How We Fight Spiritual Battles Practically
So how do we fight in spiritual battles? Even if you don’t feel like there’s a spiritual component to your discouragement, I would bet it’s at least playing a role. Sometimes it’s more in certain situations than others. I heard a counselor say that mental health and spiritual health are more closely connected than we think, and I believe that she’s right.
Here are 5 ways we can practically fight spiritual battles:
1. Meditate on the goodness of God
Use my cheat sheet above if you need to! Think on, process, and reflect on the character of God. His goodness, His power, His intentionality in creating you. Meditate on the love and grace He has given you.
2. Meditate on the cross and sacrifice of Jesus
There’s nowhere that God’s love for us shows up more than at the cross. God’s perfect vision for humanity was free from sin and suffering. After sin entered the world and separated humanity from Him, God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. We see throughout scripture that God pursues us! We have been adopted into His family and made NEW by Jesus’ death and resurrection on the cross. The Spirit of God lives in those who put their trust in Jesus. I mean, WOW! Meditating on the truth of the gospel would probably vanquish many of my worries each day.
3. Remind yourself of what’s true
Know the truth and you’ll be less likely to fall for a lie. Study it, memorize it, post it where you can see it, talk about it, pray through it. And by “it” I mean the Bible or God’s Word. Saturating your brain with scripture is an essential tool as we enter into spiritual battles each day. It’s why it’s depicted as the sword in the armor of God.
4. Identify the lies
When I find myself in a cycle of worry or discouragement, I write out what I’m feeling and write what’s actually true next to it. There’s something about identifying the lie that makes it lose its power. Try that exercise next time you’re in a mental or spiritual rut.
5. Bring in a friend
These aren’t necessarily in order, but if your thoughts are spinning and you feel like you can’t pull yourself out of a spiritual ditch, call in some backup. Bring in a friend who will identify the lie for you. Someone who will remind you of what’s true. Because sometimes even when you know the truth, it’s hard to believe it in the tough moments. That’s where an outside perspective comes in.
What We Have To Lose In Spiritual Battles
I started reading a book by pastor Mark Batterson and the entire premise of the book is to be the type of person who’s a “lion chaser.” Someone who actively pursues the unlikely and difficult challenges that the Lord has called you to. Things you could only do through the power of the Lord. These are the exact types of tasks that Satan would love to discourage us from pursuing. Why? When the impossible happens, God gets the glory, not us.
Our enemy can’t take our salvation, but he can surely keep us from bringing light and life to the world around us. When we’re discouraged, we become self-focused and end up missing the opportunities God gives us each day to point people to Him. We miss out on the ways He shows up for us. We miss the ways He is moving in our life.
I’m praying that if you’re reading this, you’ll meditate on the attributes of God today. Read through the passages listed below. Post them in your house, in your car, or in your workplace. Wherever is most helpful. Post them If you’re in Christ, you have the Spirit of God living in you! As 1 John 1:4 says, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” We can’t fight spiritual battles on our own, but we can walk in the power that is available to us as followers of Jesus.
Verses About The Character Of God
This list isn’t exhaustive, but it will give you a good place to start to reflect on the character of God. Truly, all of scripture points to God’s character!
1. God is a creator: Genesis 1, Nehemiah 9:6, Isaiah 66:2, Revelation 4:11, Colossians 1:16; Psalm 139:19, 1 Corinthians 8:6, John 1:3,
2. God is trustworthy: Numbers 23:19, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 6:16-19, Deuteronomy 7:9, 2 Timothy 2:13
3. God is good: Psalm 25:8-9, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 145:17, Nahum 1:7, James 1:17,
4. God is the ruler of the heavens and the Earth: 1 Chronicles 29:11-12, Psalm 24:1, Psalm 103:19, Matthew 28:18,
5. God is our advocate and brings us freedom: 1 John 2:1, Hebrews 8:1-2. 2 Corinthians 3:17, Romans 6:22, John 8:36, Isaiah 61:1-3, Romans 8:1-3
6. God saves: John 1:12–13, Ephesians 1:13–14, John 3:16–18, Titus 2:11–14, 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10
About The Author
Jen is the founder of SIE and a Mama to 4 young kiddos. She has been married to her husband Jonny for 10 years and they currently reside in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Jen and Jonny are actively involved in their local church as small group leaders and have a heart for discipling others as they follow Jesus. Interested in having Jen write or speak for your organization? Email her at jen@sheisemboldened.com.
