Spiritual Warfare: Don’t Let the Battle Distract You from God

One of the things that can cloud our vision of God is spiritual warfare. What we are facing can become the dominant reality in our lives, overshadowing the authority, sovereignty, and love of our perfect heavenly Father.

That doesn’t mean spiritual warfare isn’t real or shouldn’t be taken seriously. Scripture tells us to be alert because our enemy “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). If we are pursuing God and advancing His kingdom, we should expect opposition.

But opposition should lead us to depend more deeply on God. We remember that His authority is greater than anything coming against us. Satan is real, but he is not God’s equal. He is not all-powerful or everywhere at once. In Job, we see that Satan could act only within the limits God allowed (Job 1:12; 2:6).

John Piper puts it this way: “Without sin and law to condemn us, Satan is a defeated foe. He is disarmed.” 

Our confidence is not in our ability to outsmart the enemy. It is in Jesus, who disarmed the rulers and authorities through the cross (Colossians 2:13–15).

Don’t let isolation give lies room to grow

Here’s my fear for us and for many in the church: the enemy wants to pull us away from gathered worship and isolate us, because isolation gives lies room to grow. It gives conflict breathing room.

He wants us spiraling, assuming the worst about a brother or sister, and believing things about one another that aren’t actually true. Scripture tells us to put away falsehood and speak truth with one another, and not to let anger give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:25–27).

He also wants us so focused on where we are not that we forget how far God has already brought us. Church, there is too much at stake for the difficulties of life, the messages of our culture, or the enemy’s distractions to become louder than the gospel.

The devil does not own us; we belong to Jesus. He can tempt us, deceive us, and influence how we think, but we are called to resist him, standing firm in our faith (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9). That is why we need to lean in and put on the whole armor of God through prayer, Scripture, and pursuing unity and love for one another (Ephesians 6:10–18).

Our confidence is in Jesus’ victory

There is a passage that has been heavy on my heart:

“They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
-Revelation 12:11

Right before verse 11 it says our accuser works day and night, but notice that this passage speaks the language of victory, not defeatism. We have hope because of the blood of the Lamb. Jesus shed His blood for us, and we hold fast to Him even when faithfulness is costly.

Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them “that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). How many of us know that one of the enemy’s desires is for us to become so distracted by spiritual attacks, unanswered prayers, and what we don’t see yet that we grow discouraged to the point of giving up?

But Jesus says, “Don’t give up.” The answer to discouragement is not to pretend the struggle isn’t real. It is to keep praying and keep trusting God, and keep leaning into your church community.

Endurance is birthed by prayer.

Here are a few ways to get started in prayer if you are facing spiritual opposition:

Praise God for His victory. Praise Jesus for His victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness.

Confess and surrender. Confess bitterness, pride, unforgiveness, and anything that threatens the unity of the church.

Intercede for one another. Pray for protection, spiritual strength, marriages, leaders, and healing for the sick.

Pray for readiness and mission. Ask God for boldness to share the gospel, to deepen our love for Him, and to give us willing hearts to be used by Him. Pray about who you can invite to our next Sunday gathering.