In the previous post, we explored the invisible nature of spiritual warfare and how unseen forces impact our lives. Now, we're diving into recognizing and resisting spiritual warfare—the encouraging truth that this battle is not only real, but something you can spot and stand against starting today.
Our Intent: To equip you with the confidence that you can recognize spiritual attacks when they come and resist them successfully—not someday, but starting now.
The Obstacle
After learning about invisible spiritual warfare, many believers feel paralyzed by a dangerous assumption: "If I can't see it, how can I possibly fight it?" Consequently, this sense of helplessness keeps us from even trying to resist. However, here's the good news that changes everything: spiritual warfare is recognizable, and we can resist it effectively.
Evidence for Recognizing Spiritual Warfare
Evidence for recognizing spiritual warfare comes straight from Scripture—in Acts 5, we find a story about accountability and recognizing satanic attacks. Specifically, Ananias and Sapphira sold property and lied about giving everything to the church, keeping some back. When Peter confronted Ananias, he stated clearly, "Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?"
Importantly, Peter recognized exactly what was happening. Instead, he didn't wonder or guess—he identified the spiritual source immediately. Indeed, God held Ananias and Sapphira responsible for allowing Satan to influence them to lie, and they died as a result. Clearly, we can learn to recognize satanic attacks so we don't fall into similar traps.
Your Battle Plan for Resisting Spiritual Warfare
Your battle plan for resisting spiritual warfare starts with God's assurance—He doesn't give impossible commands, so when He tells us to resist, He's showing us we can. Here's the three-part strategy:
Step 1: Submit to God
Position yourself under God's authority through prayer, Scripture, and obedience. Ultimately, submission creates the foundation for resistance. (James 4:7a)
Step 2: Be Alert and Recognize
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8). Here, we're told to be alert—which means we can recognize the danger. Of course, you can't see a prowling lion in the spiritual realm, but you can recognize his methods, his patterns, and his attacks—the "spiritual fingerprints" from Post 5 like sudden confusion, accusatory thoughts, or discouragement.
Step 3: Actively Resist
"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Therefore, stand firm in faith. Indeed, our resistance has guaranteed effectiveness—the enemy must flee when resisted. We resist by standing firm against attacking thoughts. Then, name the lie and insert the truth. Finally, push back against the thoughts trying to invade your mind. (James 4:7b, 1 Peter 5:9).
For another perspective on resisting Satan, check out this guide on fighting the enemy.
Finding the Balance
Here's the balanced truth: we often miss obvious spiritual attacks because we haven't been taught what to look for. However, there are also times we think it's Satan when it's not. Sometimes our problems result from living in a fallen world, our own poor choices, or natural consequences. Therefore, we need to be neither naive nor paranoid.
For more on how spiritual warfare can affect your emotional and mental well-being, read this Christian counselor’s perspective.
The Result
Thankfully, the most encouraging truth is this: God has equipped us for this war. Indeed, He didn't declare war and then leave us defenseless. Instead, everything we need to recognize spiritual attacks and resist them successfully has been provided.
Picture this: the next time a spiritual attack comes—whether it's sudden speculation, confusion, discouragement, doubt or accusatory thoughts—you recognize it instantly. Instead of being caught off guard, you submit to God, stand firm in faith, and actively resist. Immediately, the enemy flees. Then, the battle ends. Finally, you walk forward in victory, not as a victim, but as a warrior equipped for triumph. Truly, this is your reality when you understand that spiritual warfare is both recognizable and resistible.
