5 Subtle Types of Modern-Day Spiritual Warfare

1. Wrongly Defined Success

The world defines success with money and power. Wars have been fought, countries divided, murders committed, and so many tumultuous events occurred over money and power.

One of Satan's best tactics is encouraging Christians to pursue the wrong thing. Christians can easily be tempted to take on efforts that distract them from their true calling.

Dad's can easily be swayed to attend activities after work that may build his social capital, or gain him brownie points at work, but meanwhile his kids and wife are needing him at home. Satan loves pulling Mom and Dad out of the house so they can be active doing anything but raising their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

We as Christians cannot define success the way the world does. If you are not careful, Satan will pull you away from every good thing God has planned for you. Don't let him. Be on guard. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:8-9

Define success for your family. God's world defines success differently from the secular world, so get used to being different. In fact, the more dissimilar you are, the more likely you are on the right track. Examine your life. If you and your spouse are being pulled away from the things of God, it's time to reevaluate.

You can't take your fancy car or expensive watch with you to heaven. All those followers on Instagram won't get you past the gates. However, you can leave behind a legacy of faithful children who love and fear the Lord, a next-generation equipped to continue the battle. Achieving that goal will require sacrifices. Are you prepared to pick up your cross?

2. Are You Good Enough?

The lie of not being good enough plagues so many Christians of our day, maybe every hour. Satan is fantastic at convincing you that you are not qualified, you are not the best candidate for the job, or that you are not enough. Whether it's raising your children, loving on a neighbor, comforting a grieving friend, or any of the many obstacles faced daily.

Satan has a master's degree in convincing you that you are not qualified for the task God has for you. And to some degree he's right. He's right because we cannot accomplish God's plan for our lives in our strength. We don't need to have knowledge like Solomon, the strength of Samson, or the courage of David. We do need something they all had: faith. Faith in the one Person who can provide the wisdom at the time we need it, the strength for the task ahead, and the courage to take one more step. We need Christ!

It's so simple, yet we all struggle. We worry our efforts won't be enough. However, the faster we humble ourselves, and look to Him for help, the better off we will be. We defeat Satan's mental warfare by looking to Jesus. Take every thought captive to the Lord. Remember, He is enough; we don't have to be. What a relief!

Bloom where you are planted. God has you right where you are supposed to be. Do two things there; trust and obey. Trust that God is sovereign over everything and obey Him. Take one step forward and He will guide you.

We don't need to be perfect (nor can we), but we have Jesus to take our imperfect efforts and make them successes. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

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3. Love of Self

How many times have you been told to believe in yourself, or that you are deserving of something? While we want to exhibit confidence, our confidence is not rooted in our accomplishments, education, strength, or bank account. Our confidence is rooted in Jesus.

Satan will tell you; you are amazing and brilliant. He will build you up so high that pride is seeping out of your pores. He wants you to believe you are responsible for the great things in your life. He needs you completing tasks in your own strength. The last thing in the world Satan wants is for you to realize we are sinful beings who need Christ.

God created the world, provides for His people and the creatures in the world. He has given you every talent, gift, and person in your life. God promises to care for His people. If we only believe in ourselves, we are believing Satan's lie. We don't accomplish anything without God. Jesus reminds us in the Lord's prayer; "Your will be done." (Matthew 6:10) It's not our plans that determine what happens next, but rather God's plan.

Moses didn't spread the seas in his own power or provide the manna for the Israelites. Noah did not design the dimensions of the vessel he would need when God flooded the earth. The Old and New Testaments provide many examples of miracles that God completed. He uses us to help fulfill his plan, but all the glory goes to God. How did Moses and Noah exhibit their faith? They trusted and obeyed.

If we boast in ourselves, we find ourselves in dangerous territory. "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:31) Rather than love yourself, love God.

4. Desensitization of Sin

All households have rules, written and unwritten. Homes need rules to run effectively and minimize chaos. When our kids break rules, they are corrected and possibly punished. Inappropriate behavior is addressed.

It's fairly simple to teach a child right and wrong. You might have to do it a thousand times, but it's clear-cut. When kids grow up into adults, they are on their own to make good decisions and expected to know right from wrong.

Satan wants nothing more than to draw you away from God. One of the ways he does this is by making you believe your sin is no big deal, and you don't need to change anything. That is a lie. Our sin must be met head on and dealt with harshly.

When Satan tempts us to sin repeatedly, it creates a chasm between us and God. God is perfect, and our sins distance us from Him. With distance comes shame, guilt, and feeling unworthy of God's love. Those are feelings from the enemy, not from God.

When we sin (not if), the only way to build that bridge to God is through Jesus and what He did for us. We are to repent and turn to Christ. It's so simple yet Satan will strain to keep you from repenting. When we repent, we humbly acknowledge our sin and ask for forgiveness from our Heavenly Father. That is the only way.

It's so appealing to cover up our sin, attempt to hide it from God, or pretend it's not that serious. None of these ways give us the freedom that God provides through repentance. Sin creates burdens we were not meant to carry.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

Do not justify your sin, do not minimize it, mortify it by bringing it to Christ. That is where true freedom is found!

5. Distracted

Our society is probably the most distracted yet. The way technology has invaded our lives creates consequences. We now live in an entertainment-based society. If I am not entertained by what I am doing, I will move on.

Everything is created to grab your attention and send you messages because they know they only have a few seconds before you get bored. We are constantly being pulled from one thing to the next.

With this comes kids and parents who can no longer concentrate. Parents will seek out short church services that will keep their kids' attention, if they even go to church at all. We must remind ourselves that the purpose of church is to worship God. We are not there to be entertained.

"The best advice I ever came across on the subject of concentration is: Wherever you are, be there." (John Rohn)

How many times have you had the best intentions to read the Bible, pray, or attend church. Satan will use his tactics to keep you from studying God's word. The Bible is the source of Truth. God did not leave us to flounder in this world. He gave us His words to light a path for our lives. The sad reality is that people reach for advice on their phones instead of the Bible.

This world is not neutral. It does not want you to succeed and build your faith. The world is anti-Christian and anti-God. If you don't believe me, watch the news and observe the messages around you. Once you acknowledge this, you can be more prepared to determine how your family is going to live differently from the world.

Spiritual warfare is subtle. Satan's not going to be obvious about his attacks on you. He will seep into the small cracks of your life and start causing doubt. He doesn't want you calling your mistakes sin, and he does not want you repenting and coming to Jesus. He will distract you from attending church, reading the Bible, and praying.

Studying the Bible requires focus and concentration. If this is not your strength, the great news is that you can improve. God will help.

James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

The more we are aware of the spiritual warfare around us, the better equipped we are to fight. Remember, the outcome is determined and war won, yet the battles still rage. Depend on God for your strength and wisdom and He will provide.