Being under spiritual attack can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. You may feel bombarded by negative thoughts, experience greater temptations, and even face opposition from other people. While spiritual attacks are real, the Bible offers hope and practical wisdom on how to respond when they come.
Recognize the reality of spiritual warfare
The first step is to recognize that we live in a fallen world where spiritual battles rage all around us. The Bible clearly teaches that there are forces of evil led by Satan who oppose God and His people (Ephesians 6:12). We have an adversary who seeks to devour and destroy (1 Peter 5:8). Knowing this enables us to be alert and prepared when spiritual attacks come rather than being caught off guard.
Put on the full armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the spiritual armor God has provided for our protection, including the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of gospel peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. We must continually clothe ourselves in Christ’s righteousness and wield Scripture as our spiritual weapon. The armor reminds us that victory is found in clinging to Christ rather than our own strength.
Pray for God’s help and protection
Coming before God’s throne of grace in prayer is a key weapon against spiritual attack (Hebrews 4:16). Ask God for His supernatural aid and protection. Plead the blood of Jesus over yourself and your family. Pray Scripture passages of deliverance and resistance against the devil like Luke 10:19, James 4:7, 1 John 4:4, and Psalm 91.
Renew your mind with God’s truth
Combat lies and accusations from the enemy by filling your mind with God’s truth (Romans 12:2). Immerse yourself in Scripture, listen to praise music, read edifying books, and hear Biblical teaching. Affirm God’s promises and your identity in Christ. Don’t believe Satan’s lies about who God says you are.
Resist the devil
Don’t be passive when spiritual attacks come. Actively resist the devil so that he will flee from you (James 4:7). This means rejecting lies, rebuking evil thoughts and Satan in Jesus’ name, and choosing to obey God no matter how you feel. Use the authority Christ has given you to take a firm stand against the enemy’s schemes.
Persevere by God’s strength
Being delivered from spiritual attack often requires persevering through a season of combat. Keep standing firm in your faith no matter how hard it gets (Ephesians 6:13). Renew your strength by waiting on the Lord rather than trusting yourself (Isaiah 40:31). Victory is near if you rely fully on God’s power and endure (James 1:12).
Find support from other believers
Don’t try to fight spiritual battles alone. God’s people are called to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). Seek support, prayer, and encouragement from mature Christians, especially your pastor. There is strength when believers unite against the powers of darkness.
Examine your heart and confess sin
Afflictions sometimes result from unrepentant sin that gives the enemy a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). Honestly examine your heart and see if God is disciplining you and calling you to repentance. Confess and turn from any sin God reveals so you can be cleansed and delivered (1 John 1:9).
Keep your eyes on Christ
In the midst of spiritual warfare, we must keep our focus on Jesus Christ. He has already conquered Satan and provides the only sure place of protection and peace (Colossians 2:15, Psalm 16:1). Fixing our gaze on Christ by praise and worship lifts our eyes from the battle to the One who has secured the victory.
Trust God’s sovereignty and goodness
God is still in complete control even when you feel under attack. Rest in His sovereignty, knowing He will limit the affliction being allowed (1 Corinthians 10:13). Cling to your loving Father’s promises that He will work it for your good (Romans 8:28) and bring beauty from the ashes (Isaiah 61:3).
Put on Christ’s compassion for the lost
Even when others speak lies or accuse you, remember they are under Satan’s influence and in need of salvation. Follow Jesus’ example by responding in love rather than anger or harm (Luke 23:34). Seek their good rather than revenge. Overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
Walk in the freedom and authority Christ provides
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus broke Satan’s power and provided freedom from spiritual slavery and authority over evil (Colossians 1:13, Luke 10:19). Don’t believe you are helpless. Take hold of the victory and deliverance Christ’s blood provides and walk boldly in your authority as a child of God.
Allow God to use the trial for greater spiritual strength
Ask God to use your time of testing to develop perseverance, proven character, and unshakable hope in Him (Romans 5:3-4, James 1:2-4). As you withstand the fiery trial with His help, you will emerge stronger in faith and closer to Christ. What the enemy intends for evil, God will use for good.
Remain expectant of God’s deliverance
Though times of spiritual darkness can be very hard, maintain the confident expectation that dawn is coming and God will swiftly bring relief (Psalm 30:5). He is faithful and will not allow you to be tested beyond what you can bear with His help (1 Corinthians 10:13). Joy comes in the morning! (Psalm 30:5).
Spiritual attacks can be frightening and disheartening. But we have so many powerful promises and examples in Scripture of God’s protection, deliverance and ability to use trials for greater good. By actively resisting the devil, drawing near to Christ, and trusting the Spirit’s help, you can become more than conqueror over every assault of the powers of darkness.
Additional Bible verses about spiritual warfare:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – 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 Peter 5:8-9 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.
Romans 8:37-39 – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 12:11 – And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
1 John 4:1-4 – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.
Psalm 91:1-16 – He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day …
James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Ephesians 6:11 – Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
2 Corinthians 2:11 – So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.