Overcoming spiritual warfare involves relying on spiritual, not only physical tools to stand firm against negativity and spiritual opposition from the enemy. The enemy is always seeking whom he may kill, steal from and devour, and we cannot afford to be ignorant of the devices of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. However, we triumph in these warfare battles against the enemy by faith, the grace of God, the word of God, persistent prayer/fasting and with the help of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual Warfare are more spiritual than physical, although the effect can transpire in some physical and emotional aspects. We must remember that the spiritual gives birth to the physical.
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11) is a command for us to be spiritually vigilant against the intentional, subtle schemes Satan uses to create division, strife, deception, fear, doubt, distraction, pride, temptation and unforgiveness. It highlights the need for us to stay alert to avoid being disadvantaged by the enemy’s strategies, which aim to derail our spiritual growth and communion with God.
The aim of spiritual warfare is to destabilise, discourage and weaken the Believer in Christ from fulfilling their destinies, callings and mandates of God in the earth. Key strategies in overcoming the enemy include putting on the whole Armour of God, using scripture as a sword, praying persistently, resisting the devil, and maintaining a repentant heart. The Believer’s victory is found by relying on Christ’s authority through the birth, death, resurrection and glorification of Jesus Christ.
What are the Signs of Spiritual Warfare?
Signs of spiritual warfare often manifest as sudden, intense, and unexplainable adversity, including extreme fatigue, foggy memory, broken relationships, intense temptation, financial strain, and severe mental, emotional, or spiritual heaviness. It often involves a loss of joy, confusion, loss of motivation and a desire to isolate, creating a feeling of hopelessness or confusion.
Seven Common Signs and Symptoms of Spiritual Warfare include:
1. Mental and Emotional Battles: You may experience extreme fear, anxiety, confusion, depression or a “clouded” mind.
2. Spiritual Lethargy: You may have a sudden loss of desire for prayer, worship, Bible reading, or attending church.
3. Intense Temptation and Sin: You may experience a resurgence of old bad habits, strong temptations to fall into old sins and feeling defeated.
4. Unusual Adversity: You may experience sudden, overwhelming crises in relationships, health or finances that seem out of proportion to the situation.
5. Extreme Fatigue: You may experience physical, mental or emotional exhaustion, even when you had proper rest.
6. Condemnation and Doubt: You may feel deep guilt, shame, and doubting one’s purpose or relationship with God.
7. Isolation and Division: You may have a desire to isolate oneself from others, especially from Christian community and experiencing increased conflict with people.
How to Overcome:
The warning signs of Spiritual Warfare, emphasizes that recognising these traps is the first step toward overcoming them. These initial warning signs should not be ignored or postponed without dealing with them immediately; rather we must endeavour to combat the enemy through faith rather than giving in to fear.
- We must always be alert/ vigilant both physically and spiritually.
- Use the Armour of God to stand rightly in righteousness against the enemy.
- Walk in Agape love and forgiveness.
- Walk in faith and do not give in to fear or pressure from the enemy.
- Walk in holiness and resist sin.
- Understand the tactics of the devil and stand firm in faith and on God’s word.
- Key Factors for Victory During Spiritual Warfare:
1. Put on the Armour of God: Utilize the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (Word of God) to protect against attacks on your mind, emotions, and actions.
2. Use the Word of God (Scripture): Actively fight back by declaring Bible verses out loud, which acts as a “sword” to dispel deception and lies.
3. Pray Persistently: Engage in consistent prayer, especially when feeling unmotivated, to invite the Holy Spirit’s presence and break down demonic strongholds.
4. Submit to God and Resist the Devil: Repent of any known sins, break agreements with negative thoughts, and command demonic forces to leave in the name of Jesus.
5. Engage in Worship and Fasting: Use worship and fasting to realign your heart with God’s purpose and break through spiritual heaviness.
6. Find a godly Church/ Community: Do not battle alone. Seek support from a trusted pastor, counsellor or fellow believers, as isolation could be a major vulnerability if not instructed by the Holy Spirit to do so.
Key Daily Practices During Spiritual Warfare:
- Recognise the kind of Battle: Endeavour to understand that tension or discouragement may be spiritual warfare rather than merely physical or emotional issues.
- Remember the Battle is the Lord’s: Therefore, stand firm in your identity as a child of God, trusting in His strength rather than your own.
- Guard your Mind rightly: Endeavour to replace the lies of the enemy with truth by focusing on God’s word and promises. Resist and reject negative and fearful thoughts.
What are the Six Weapons during Spiritual Warfare according to Ephesians 6?
Paul tells us to put on the whole Armour of God that we may withstand the wiles of the devil:
- The Hope of our Salvation in Christ Jesus: Our identity in Christ and on His finished works on the Cross of Calvary.
- Faith: Faith shields/ protects the Believer in Christ.
- Righteousness: Righteousness gives us right standing with God and before mankind.
- The Word of God: Declaring and using the word of God effectively in prayer.
- Truth: Truth vindicates the Believer in Christ
- The Gospel: Stand rightly and boldly share the Gospel of peace.
Fifteen Tools for Fighting Spiritual Warfare
1. Allegiance to God.
2. Study and meditate on the Word of God.
3. Faith in God and His promises
4. Fervent Prayer and Fasting.
5. Living a life of holiness, righteousness and truth.
6. Putting on the whole Armour of God.
7. Courage over fear.
8. Obey the word and commandments of God.
9. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
10. Godly Knowledge and Wisdom.
11. The Name of Jesus.
12. The Blood of Jesus.
13. Walk in the Believers’ Authority.
14. Use the Gift of Tongues (Speaking in Tongues).
15. Walk in the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.
What are the Three Enemies of Spiritual Warfare?
Every Christian must wage a spiritual war against three foes that seek to enslave us:
- The flesh
- The world
- The devil.
While we engage in spiritual warfare, we should endeavour to have a positive attitude fuelled by faith in God and His promises, rather than be dejected because of the weight of these battles. Spiritual warfare creates opportunities for us to growth spiritually, build our faith and relationship with God, improve our prayer life, demonstrate our allegiance to God and build eternal rewards for us. When faith in God takes pre-eminence over fear, we engage spiritual battles with the mindset of victory and Christ consciousness. Spiritual warfare is stepping stones for the believer in Christ Jesus to flourish and excel with the authority of Christ in every good way.
God bless you!