How do I fight a spiritual attack?
1 Peter 5:7-9 - casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
If you have been saved for any amount of time, then you know that spiritual attacks are a part of the Christian life. In John 10:10, the Bible tells us that the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but I have come that you might have life and life more abundantly. We have an adversary who is seeking daily to destroy us, and if we are going to defeat him, we will have to do it according to the Word of God.
The good news is that you already have everything you need to win and defeat the devil and his attacks!
2 Peter 1:3 - as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
If you are going to survive an enemy attack, you must be alert and vigilant at all times. When soldiers in war need to sleep, they always assign someone to watch over them. We need to be like the soldier on watch, sober, awake, ready, paying attention, and on guard. In other words, we need to be aware of the enemy’s tactics and recognize an attack when it comes.
So how does he attack us? He uses circumstances, adversity, and troubles to distract you from the Word of God. He uses these things to consume your thought life, take you captive, and force your attention off the things of God. It’s in these times that we need to be doers of the Word and remain self-controlled. When your world falls apart, and you want to come apart at the seams, remain steadfast in the Word of God.
Remember how Jesus dealt with the enemy in the wilderness in Mark chapter 4. Every time the enemy came at him with a situation, a suggestion, a thought, or an idea, Jesus responded: “It is written.” He used the word to defeat the enemy every time.
I want to share 5 tips to help you survive a spiritual attack!
1. Stick to what you know
In times of testing, it’s important to stick to what you know. Keep the Word of God in your heart. The word has the power to change the situations in your life. Don’t give the enemy an opportunity to make you question or relinquish the Word of God in your life.
2. Feed on the Word
You might know enough of the Word to know the answers, but your faith has to be fed in order to be strong. If you're going to survive a spiritual attack, you will need to eat the right stuff. Keep the truth of the Word of God before your eyes, and keep your heart full.
3. Stay submitted to God
James 4:7 says to submit yourself to God, resist the devil, and he will flee. You can’t resist if you are not submissive. Keep yourself connected to God.
John 15:7 - If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
Just like a plant, if a branch is not connected to the plant, there is no life in it; you are the same spiritually. If you are not connected to God, His power will not flow in your life.
4. Focus on Truth
In the middle of an attack on your life, when the enemy is stirring up trouble, it’s crucial that you think right.
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.
5. Refuse to give up!
2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Commit to never quitting, giving up, or surrendering! You need to hold fast, keep going, and persevere. If you don't quit, you will win! You have what it takes to overcome the enemy. Not only will you survive the spiritual attack, but you will come out with joy and victory!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have given me all things that pertain to life and godliness. I am fully equipped to do your will. Your word says that greater is he who is in me than he who is in the world. I thank you that in you I have the victory. Help me to be on guard against the enemy as I follow after you. Help me to recognize his attacks and to use the weapons you gave me to defeat him every time. Thank you, Lord, that you are for me and not against me and that you always cause me to triumph in Jesus' name. Amen!