
Ephesians 6:10-12 CSB
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
Mark 5:2-8 CSB
As soon as he got out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit came out of the tombs and met him. 3 He lived in the tombs, and no one was able to restrain him anymore—not even with a chain— 4 because he often had been bound with shackles and chains, but had torn the chains apart and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains, he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and knelt down before him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice, “What do you have to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you before God, don’t torment me!” 8 For he had told him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”
Isaiah 14:12-14 NKJV
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’
Revelation 12:7-9 NKJV
And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
TACTIC: BLIND THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS
2 Corinthians 4:4 CSB
In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God
TACTIC: SCHEME TO LURE YOU AWAY FROM GOD
1 Timothy 4:1 CSB
Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons
TACTIC: PARALYZE YOU WITH FEAR
2 Timothy 1:7 CSB
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power,[a] love, and sound judgment.
TACTIC: FIGHT TO STOP YOU
1 Thessalonians 2:18 CSB
So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.
TACTIC: WANTS TO DESTROY YOU
1 Peter 5:8 CSB
Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
HOW DO I KNOW IF IT’S A SPIRITUAL ATTACK? START BY ASKING.
TRUTH: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR STRUGGLES
Psalm 91:11-12 CSB
For he will give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways. 12 They will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
TRUTH: IT ISN’T ABOUT OUR POWER. IT’S ABOUT GOD’S AUTHORITY.
Matthew 10:1 CSB
[Jesus] Summoning his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.
James 4:7-8 CSB
Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
QUESTIONS FOR THE ROAD:
Read 2 Kings 6:15-18. Reflect on a time when you realized God was doing something spiritually that you couldn’t see with your natural eyes.
What do you need to “ask” for wisdom for right now in the struggles you are facing from our adversary?
How does knowing the truth that you are not alone and have been given authority by Jesus change your perspective in the face of spiritual struggles?