Spiritual warfare is a subject that invokes mixed feelings among people. On
the one hand you have those who have made it the bedrock of their entire
theological system and basically operate with the belief that people sin
because of the devil, while on the other hand you have those whose system of
theology seems to ignore the subject of spiritual warfare all together. Both
systems of thought are faulty at best and can be detrimental to one’s spiritual
progress. Thankfully the Bible has quite a lot to say about Christians
overcoming the schemes of the evil one. It is therefore important that
believers are aware and equipped for the spiritual battle that they are engaged
in. Thomas Brooks’ balanced advice to believers is on point when he says, “Christ,
the scripture, your own hearts, and Satan’s devices, are the four prime things
that should be first and most studied and searched. If any cast off the study
of these, they cannot be safe here, or happy hereafter. It is my work as a
Christian, but much more as I am a watchman, to do my best to discover the
fullness of Christ, the emptiness of the creature, and the snares of the great
deceiver.” [1]
What the Bible says
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
The imagery in this text is rather vivid. All you have to do is think of how
the king of the jungle skillfully picks, stalks and hunts down his prey, and
after he has pounced, he tears it apart ruthlessly; that dear friends is our
everyday danger. No wonder Peter urges his readers to be sober and vigilant.
After all Peter should know. Christ warned him of the impending attack on his
life from Satan, and what exactly was the devil’s plan? To sift Peter like
wheat. Hours later the over confident Peter was denying Jesus three times.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the
whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the
devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12
This passage reminds us that (1) spiritual warfare is a reality, (2) our
enemies are real, powerful and conniving (3) believers can only overcome if
they are walking in the Lord and by His grace. In other words, Christians who
are not walking worthy of their calling cannot stand against the schemes of the
devil. Spiritual warfare is in essence a battle for righteous and godly living.
Invariably those who are striving to live godly lives become targets of concerted
spiritual attack.
Possible signs of
spiritual attack
Since the devil’s schemes are intended to hinder you from living a godly and
righteous life, you can tell you are under attack when your relationships with
God and people are not as they should be. It is the devil’s every intention to
ensure that you do not walk right with God and that you have ungodly and
unbiblical relationships with other people (spouse, friends, family,
boy/girlfriends, workmates, etc.) Let me therefore offer four SUBJECTIVE signs
of spiritual attack.
1.
Increased and
unusual marital and family conflict
The home is the
best indicator of people’s spirituality. It is also the most vulnerable to the
schemes of the devil, primarily because families make up churches and the state
of the family is indicative of the church.
2.
Increased or sudden
discouragement, despair and discontent
Elijah is a perfect
case in point. After he spectacularly defeated the wicked prophets of Baal and
had experienced the Lord’s hand in a special way, he suddenly became
discouraged, discontent and despaired. Nothing had really changed, the enemies
were the same, the threats and dangers were the same, but suddenly the
courageous Elijah was despairing and ready to throw in the towel. One could
argue he was under a spiritual attack.
3.
Struggles to attend
to the means of grace
By that I mean struggling
to read/study the Bible, to pray privately and publically, to worship, to fellowship
with other believers, etc. These are the means by which we grow in godliness
and Christlikeness. The devil will ensure that he distracts and discourages us
from doing them.
4.
Increase in sudden
and/or recurring temptations
Memories of past sins
or failures suddenly pop up. Or sometimes there is an unusual increase in the
rate of temptations. Remember Job? He was hit suddenly from all angles.
What is one to do?
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives
grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves
therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to
God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify
your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:6-8
1.
Acknowledge your weakness and struggles
You cannot submit to God and seek His grace without humbly acknowledging
your weakness and struggles. Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matt 5:3).
2.
Confess and repent of sin
He who conceals his sins will not prosper but he who confesses them will
receive compassion. (Proverbs 28:13)
3.
Attend to the means of grace even when you do not feel
like it
You will not always feel like praying, reading the Word, worshipping or
fellowshipping. Do it anyway. Soldier through it, and you will know God’s
grace.
4.
Seek accountability
That is what meaningful friendship is all about after all. We need someone
to ask us the tough questions and watch out for us.
5.
Preach the gospel to yourself and others
Yes believers need the gospel. Mediate on what God has done to save a sinner
like you and the implications of the gospel then preach it to others. There is
something about it that feeds life to your soul.
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