5 Things Christians Get Wrong about Spiritual Warfare

1. Focusing on fear instead of on faith.

In spiritual warfare, it’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on fear, since spiritual warfare can be quite scary. But we must remember that God’s power is much greater than any evil power we face. We shouldn’t ignore the spiritual warfare in our lives because we’re afraid of it. Instead, we need to face it head-on with the faith that Jesus will help us fight it successfully. Jesus tells us in John 16:33: “… In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We shouldn’t let ourselves be overtaken by fear of spiritual warfare. Instead, we can ask God to fight anxiety for us so we can be confident and courageous when we encounter spiritual warfare. The Bible emphasizes God’s overwhelming power and victory over evil. 1 John 4:4 speaks of overcoming evil spirits when it declares: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

Rather than approaching spiritual battles with fear, we can approach them with confidence in God’s strength and the victory he has already secured for us through Jesus. Fear often arises when we lose sight of God’s sovereignty and authority over every situation. However, Psalm 27:1 points out: “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” When we fix our eyes on God and his promises, fear loses its grip on our hearts, and we can move forward in faith. In times of spiritual warfare, we must draw strength from God’s promises. God encourages us in Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” By declaring God’s promises over our lives, we strengthen our faith so we can stand firm against attacks from evil. When confronted with fear, our response should be prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to pray about everything that concerns us, and God will respond by guarding us with his peace: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God wants us to be bold, fighting spiritual battles with confidence in his help. As 2 Timothy 1:7 assures us: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” By shifting our focus from fear to faith, we can fight spiritual battles well, knowing that God has already won the ultimate victory through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

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2. Paying more attention to demonic activity than to spiritual growth.

Some Christians believe that spiritual warfare primarily involves dramatic encounters with demonic possession or oppression. But the truth is that spiritual warfare is more about growing spiritually to be able to overcome evil with good. Ephesians 6:12 points out: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” While dramatic encounters with demons do happen, spiritual warfare encompasses much more than physical manifestations of demonic activity. It’s a broader conflict that regularly happens inside our minds and hearts, involving our thoughts and emotions. God urges us to pay close attention to our minds and hearts regularly. When we face decisions, we should ask ourselves if the choices we’re considering will move us closer to God or farther away.  It’s important not to overly fixate on external battles to the neglect of our spiritual growth, since our spiritual strength is the key to winning in spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6:10-18 outlines the “armor of God” (verse 11) that strengthens us spiritually. This armor includes elements like truth, righteousness, faith, peace, the word of God, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. God calls us to actively engage in spiritual disciplines and grow in our relationships with him – not focus on demonic activity. While demons do operate in our fallen world, we should give our attention to God instead of to them. In the process, we’ll grow stronger and better able to fight spiritual battles. Peter 3:18 encourages us: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever! Amen.” As we grow closer to Jesus and mature in our faith, we become better equipped to discern spiritual warfare and stand firm against the enemy’s attacks. Our focus should be on developing a deeper relationship with God, allowing his truth to renew our minds and transform our lives. Spiritual growth is our greatest defense against evil. By prioritizing our spiritual growth, we can find the power to overcome every spiritual battle.

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3. Trusting in formulaic rituals or prayers rather than in God’s power.

Our faith in God's power is what brings about deliverance – not following any formulas for conducting rituals or reciting prayers. While prayer and other spiritual disciplines are vital, spiritual warfare is ultimately about our relationship with God. James 4:7 guides us: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” True victory in spiritual warfare comes from surrendering to God’s will and resisting the enemy through faith. It’s not about following specific rituals but about developing a deep connection with God. The Bible doesn’t prescribe specific methods or formulas for expelling demons. Instead, it emphasizes faith in God’s power and authority over evil. In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus heals a boy who is possessed by a spirit, and rather than prescribing any particular formula for deliverance, Jesus encourages the boy’s father to simply believe in God’s power to deliver the boy from evil. Mark 9:23 records Jesus telling the father: “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Then, Mark 9:24 records the father’s response: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

We can find spiritual deliverance by resisting evil and sin through God’s strength, not relying on specific formulas or pronouncements. James 2:19 reminds us: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.” Simply performing rituals or reciting prayers without genuine faith in God’s power is ineffective in spiritual warfare. Our trust must be in God, not in rituals or formulas. Let’s declare along with Psalm 91:2 that: “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” As we grow in our relationships with God, our faith becomes stronger, and we become more effective in spiritual warfare. So, we need to look for signs of God’s wondrous work in our lives, and let those experiences inspire us to seek God regularly. We can win spiritual battles by aligning our lives with God’s will, relying on God’s power, and walking in obedience to God’s Word.

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4. Thinking that spiritual warfare exists independently of our struggles with sin.

Spiritual warfare doesn’t happen separately from the sin in our lives and in the world. We can make ourselves more vulnerable to spiritual attacks by making sinful choices. The Bible teaches that temptations to sin often come from within ourselves, not solely from outside sources like demons. James 1:14-15 points out: “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” While the Bible acknowledges the influence of evil forces, it also emphasizes the importance of taking personal responsibility for our choices and resisting temptation through dependence on God's grace, as 1 Corinthians 10:13 urges: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

It’s important to recognize the intertwined nature of spiritual, personal, and natural factors in the spiritual battles we face in this sinful world. We must discern the source of our struggles and respond appropriately – whether through prayer, repentance, seeking accountability, or addressing practical issues. By acknowledging the multifaceted nature of our struggles, we can approach spiritual warfare with a wise perspective that helps us win our battles. Let’s not hesitate to take personal responsibility for our choices and to rely on God’s grace to overcome every challenge we face.

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5. Trying to fight alone instead of together.

Some Christians perceive spiritual warfare as a solitary struggle, isolating them from the support of fellow believers. But we are strongest together, not apart, so we should fight spiritual battles together. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 reminds us of the strength we can find in unity: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” In spiritual warfare, we are part of a larger body that is called to support and encourage one another. The battles we face are not meant to be fought alone. We can find strength and encouragement in our community of believers. Ephesians 6:18 emphasizes the power of praying for each other: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.”

Engaging in spiritual warfare together strengthens our collective resolve and amplifies our prayers. When we face spiritual struggles, we can turn to our brothers and sisters in Christ for prayer, encouragement, and wise counsel. Together, we can overcome evil attacks and grow stronger in our faith. Isolation can leave us vulnerable to the enemy’s schemes. 1 Peter 5:8 warns: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” But by remaining connected to our Christian community, we can guard against the enemy’s attempts to isolate and deceive us. We can find strength, encouragement, and support from each other as we fight spiritual battles. 

In conclusion, understanding spiritual warfare is vital for every believer, so we can approach it wisely and win our battles. By dispelling misconceptions and embracing biblical truths about spiritual warfare, we can fight well and experience victory in any situation.

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