How should I respond to spiritual attack?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The greatest example of how we can respond to temptation is found in (Matthew 4:1-11), in which Satan tried three levels of attack to get Jesus to give into temptation: “the desires of the flesh,” “the desires of the eyes” and “pride of life” (1 John 2:16). First, he appealed to Jesus' flesh by enticing His hunger for bread. Next, he tried to tempt Jesus through the pride of life by trying to get Him to manipulate God. Lastly, he used the lust of the eyes by tempting Jesus with kingdoms and their glory. Yet Jesus quoted Scripture in the enemy’s face at each one of these attempts, after which Satan eventually fled. We can expect the same response from the enemy when we respond to temptation in the same way Jesus did (James 4:7). Furthermore, when we battle against sin, we can put on the "whole armor of God” which includes the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the readiness given by the gospel of peace, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Like Jesus, we can use God’s Word as our offensive weapon against our enemy and in so doing experience victory over temptation.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Perhaps the most obvious example of spiritual attack in the Old Testament is Satan’s attack on Job. Satan challenged God by saying that Job would turn against Him if everything Job loved were taken. Satan was found wrong when he destroyed Job’s possessions, killed his children, and even afflicted his body, yet Job did not turn against God. Instead, he said of God, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15). Job mourned his circumstances and asked God “why,” but his continued obedience and trust in the Lord is an example for us today.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus was led into the wilderness and tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus continuously quoted Scripture in response, and we can do the same.
• Demons and Satan are formidable, frightening, and much more powerful than humans. But God fights for us and within us, so they are no match for Him. Paul tells the Ephesians to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). All of these pieces of armor are metaphors that illuminate God's power to protect us.
• James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We can follow Jesus’ example of rebuking Satan in the wilderness by using the Word of God as our offensive weapon against the enemy’s attacks.
• Satan tempted Jesus with the three aspects of worldliness that the Apostle John mentions in his letter: “desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life” (1 John 2:16). We will likely experience all of these attacks as well, so we should be applying the truth of God’s Word to our life, especially in times of temptation like Jesus faced in the wilderness.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Believers are told to wage war against sin (Romans 6) as well as against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-18). Spiritual attack can be a direct result of demonic influence, or we may simply be experiencing the effects of living in a world that is cursed by sin and ruled by Satan. In either case, the approach is essentially the same: "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might" (Ephesians 6:10). To “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (as the NIV puts it) means to be aware of the Source of our strength, which is God Himself. We must also put on the armor of God to withstand the enemy. Another protection from the enemy is fervent prayer. Paul exhorts the Ephesians to pray at all times in the Spirit, to keep alert and persevere, and to pray for other believers, who are fellow soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3). We should follow Paul’s instruction in our own life, remembering that we are not alone: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16). We must rely on God’s strength, not our own, against sin and spiritual attack.

UNDERSTAND

• The world is fallen, so it is under the influence of Satan and his demons.
• Putting on the “whole armor of God” helps believers resist demonic attacks (Ephesians 6:10-18).
• Satan is not invincible, and believers can resist him if they trust in God.

REFLECT

• Have you ever experienced what you believed was a spiritual attack? How did you handle it?
• What are some spiritual disciplines you practice to protect yourself against satanic attacks?
• What are some Bible verses that you find especially helpful during times of spiritual attack?

ENGAGE

• What are some worldly temptations that Satan uses to attack believers?
• How can believers support those who are under spiritual attack?
• What are some ways the church can prepare believers for inevitable spiritual warfare?