Tag Archives: Christian victory

Spiritual Attacks in the Natural Realm

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Spiritual warfare is part of the Christian experience. While the battle is spiritual in origin, it often spills over into the visible and natural world. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our true enemies are not “flesh and blood” but “the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). Yet these dark forces often influence the natural realm—through physical illness, mental anguish, relational conflict, temptation, and even death. As believers, we must learn to detect these attacks and respond biblically, not mystically or fearfully, but with confidence in the victory already secured in Christ (Col 2:15).

The Scriptures provide several examples where Satan or demons afflicted people physically. Job stands out as the most dramatic case. Though blameless, he was permitted by God to be physically struck by Satan with painful boils “from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job 2:7). Paul, too, was afflicted by a “thorn in the flesh,” described as a “messenger of Satan” (2 Cor 12:7). This affliction, while painful, served a divine purpose—to keep him humble and dependent on God’s grace. Jesus also healed a woman who had been physically crippled for eighteen years. He made clear her condition was not merely medical but satanic in origin, saying, “this woman…whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years” (Luke 13:16). In the Gospels, demon-possessed individuals often suffered in extreme physical and mental ways. The boy who convulsed violently (Mark 9:17-27), the man who lived among tombs and cut himself (Mark 5:1-15), and others who were mute or blind (Matt 9:32-33; Matt 12:22)—each showed how demonic influence can cause visible ailments. In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira were not physically attacked by demons but were influenced by Satan to lie. Peter asked, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3). Ananias was a believer, but because he allowed Satan to influence him, he experienced divine discipline in the form of immediate physical death (Acts 5:3-10). In every case, what appeared natural had a deeper spiritual cause.

The influence of Satan and demons upon political rulers is also a sobering reality. Judges 9:23 states, “God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech” (Judg 9:23). While God sovereignly permitted the spirit’s activity to bring about justice for past violence (Judg 9:56-57), the account reveals how spiritual forces can incite political unrest, betrayal, and bloodshed. Similarly, Saul was tormented by an evil spirit that darkened his leadership (1 Sam 16:14-16) and influenced him to try to kill David (1 Sam 18:10-11; 19:9-10). David himself was “incited by Satan” to conduct a census that displeased God and brought judgment upon Israel (1 Chr 21:1). In Ahab’s case, a lying spirit was permitted to deceive him through false prophets, drawing him into battle where he was mortally wounded (1 Ki 22:19-23; 34-35). In Revelation 16:13-14, John sees “spirits of demons, performing signs,” and they go out “to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.” This demonic coordination will culminate in the battle of Armageddon, where Satan’s forces will attempt one final stand against the returning Christ (Rev 19:19-21). It’s a picture of how spiritual deception will lead to political and military defiance of God’s authority. These examples demonstrate that demonic forces often operate behind the curtain of political power, manipulating human pride, ambition, and insecurity to bring about chaos and rebellion.

Satan often exploits normal human desires, as he did with Eve (Gen 3:6) and even attempted with Christ (Matt 4:3), turning natural inclinations into spiritual traps. Prolonged emotional discouragement or physical suffering, especially when accompanied by spiritual stagnation or despair, can also be areas of demonic manipulation. Relational division is another tactic. Paul warned that Satan seeks to outwit believers through unforgiveness and unresolved conflict (2 Cor 2:10-11). Even logistical or circumstantial resistance to gospel work may have satanic fingerprints, as Paul noted: “we wanted to come to you…yet Satan hindered us” (1 Th 2:18). These are not supernatural fireworks—they are ordinary struggles with extraordinary causes. Furthermore, unbelievers are especially vulnerable to satanic deception because of negative volition; as Paul wrote, “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor 4:4).

False teaching is among the most serious forms of spiritual attack because it strikes at the mind—the command center of the soul—and seeks to distort the believer’s understanding of God, grace, salvation, and sanctification. Unlike more obvious attacks such as illness or persecution, doctrinal deception often appears attractive, even spiritual. Paul warns that “in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim 4:1), indicating that such teachings originate not merely from human error, but from demonic influence. This kind of deception can infiltrate churches, seminaries, and pulpits, often through sincere yet misguided individuals who possess only a shallow or distorted understanding of God’s Word. Satan does not usually oppose truth with blatant lies; instead, he substitutes counterfeit gospels, corrupts grace with legalism or license, and undermines Christ’s finished work. As Paul noted, “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14), meaning that spiritual attacks through false teaching are often cloaked in religious language and backed by emotional appeal. The danger lies in its subtlety—what sounds biblical may not be biblical. Discernment is therefore essential, and believers must measure every teaching against the plumb line of God’s Word (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim 2:15).

Recognizing these kinds of spiritual attacks requires discernment. Not every sickness, trial, or temptation is demonic in origin, but some may be. Likewise, not every political crisis is driven by evil spirits, yet Scripture shows that demonic forces do, at times, energize and exploit leaders to carry out destructive agendas—often with devastating consequences in the visible world. Even so, whether the assault is demonic, circumstantial, or self-induced, we are to stand firm by faith, applying God’s Word in every situation. We are not called to panic, speculate, or retreat in fear, but to trust the Lord and stand confidently, knowing He is working sovereignly and providentially.

Thankfully, Scripture not only exposes these schemes but equips us with strategies to stand firm. The command for us it to “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Eph 6:10). Strength comes not from human effort but from dependence on God. The believer is instructed to “put on the full armor of God” (Eph 6:11), which includes truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God. Vigilance in prayer is critical (Eph 6:18; Matt 26:41), as is guarding the mind by “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5b). Walking in biblical truth is the primary safeguard against satanic lies. Furthermore, no believer was designed to fight alone. The Christian community provides support and encouragement (Heb 10:24-25). I have been encouraged on numerous occasions by fellow Christians who provided an encouraging word or offered support by other means, and my spirit was lifted. Ultimately, as Christians, we rest in God’s sovereignty (Psa 103:19), knowing that He controls the events of our lives (Prov 16:9; Dan 4:35), and that no trial or adversity is outside of His will or control. We are confident “that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28), and that He is “for us” (Rom 8:31), having promised, “I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb 13:5).

In conclusion, spiritual warfare is often invisible in origin but manifests in the visible world through temptation, conflict, deception, and suffering. Though Satan works subtly—twisting truth, sowing division, and exploiting natural desires—his strategies are neither new nor unstoppable. Scripture reveals his schemes and equips us to stand firm, not with mystical rituals or fleshly strength, but by walking in truth, wearing the full armor of God, and depending on divine strength (Eph 6:10-18). While we recognize that not every trial is satanic in nature, we remain alert, discerning that spiritual forces may lie behind ordinary circumstances. In all things, we press on toward spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1), continually feeding on God’s Word (Psa 1:2; 1 Pet 2:2) and walking by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38), knowing that the nearness of God is our good—as Asaph declared, ‘But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge’ (Psa 73:28)

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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The Faithfulness of the Lord

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No king is delivered by his vast army; a warrior is not saved by his great might. A horse disappoints those who trust in it for victory; despite its great strength, it cannot deliver. Look, the LORD takes notice of His loyal followers, those who wait for Him to demonstrate His faithfulness by saving their lives from death and sustaining them during times of famine. We wait for the LORD; He is our deliverer and shield. For our hearts rejoice in Him, for we trust in His holy name. May we experience your faithfulness, O LORD, for we wait for you. (Psa 33:16-22)

     It is the natural proclivity of a person to look to his own resources when facing an enemy threat; for the king, it is his vast army, his war machine, his mighty warriors and strong horses. But the psalmist here challenges human viewpoint with divine viewpoint, reminding the reader of a biblical principle: that victory in life comes only from the Lord.

    Faithfulness of the LordIt is a discipline of the mind and will to trust in God during a conflict. Too often we’re tempted to look around rather than look up; yet, that’s exactly what we’re supposed to do. We are to “look” to the Lord; to think on Him and His promises to us. The psalmist declares, “Look, the LORD takes notice of His loyal followers, those who wait for Him to demonstrate His faithfulness” (Psa 22:18). The phrase “The LORD takes notice” is more literally “The eye of the LORD,” which refers to His look of favor that is cast upon His “loyal followers.” And who are His loyal followers? It is “those who wait for Him to demonstrate His faithfulness.” It is those who by faith take Him at His word, believing He will do what He’s promised.

     The one who fails to look to God will instinctively look to self and others, and whatever temporary resources this failing world can offer. But Scripture instructs us, “Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation” (Psa 146:3). Rather, we are to “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness” (Psa 37:3).

     God manifests His provision and protection to His loyal followers, to those who wait for him to demonstrate his faithfulness, “by saving their lives from death and sustaining them during times of famine” (Psa 33:19). Death and famine represent extreme scenarios in life, and for the psalmist, may reflect his reality. However, for those of us who do not face such extreme threats, the a fortiori rationale serves as a tool for reason and helps us to understand that if God will protect from greater dangers (i.e. death & famine), then He will certainly protect from lesser ones. At this point, we should not conclude that we won’t face trials or dangers, but rather, that God will give us the fortitude of character to withstand them, if we’ll look to Him in faith.

     And how does the psalmist respond in the midst of his trial? He responds with faith in God! Notice that he graciously includes his readers by using the plural pronouns “we” and “our” as he writes, “We wait for the LORD; He is our deliverer and shield. For our hearts rejoice in Him, for we trust in His holy name. May we experience your faithfulness, O LORD, for we wait for you” (Psa 33:20-22). The word wait translates the Hebrew verb יָהַל yachal, which means “to wait, to cause to hope.”[1] The verb is intensive (Piel stem), which means we are to focus intensely on the Lord and not the conflict at hand. There is almost always a tension in the mind, as the threat seeks to distract us from the solution.

“Hope” (יָחַל; s.v. Ps. 31:24) includes the ideas of waiting with some tension until the thing hoped for arrives (see Gen. 8:2) and of a confident expectation of trust (Ps. 42:5). It is not a last resort, a hoping against hope, as it were. Rather, it is an expectant faith, but a faith that struggles with the tensions in life. Here the object of the hope is “the loyal love” of the LORD.[2]

     The strength of the believer is in God, as we trust His Word, believing He will sustain us as we face life’s difficulties. O lord, strengthen our minds according to Your Word, and nourish our hearts that our faith may be strong. Do not let us be overcome by life’s trials, but to see them as purposeful, as the fire that burns away the useless dross of a weak character, and purifies those golden qualities that are born out of a healthy walk with You; and may Your faithfulness calm our fears and cause our hearts to rejoice.

Steven R. Cook, D.Min.

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[1] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 407.

[2] Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms 1–89: Commentary, vol. 1, Kregel Exegetical Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2011–2013), 739.

You Fight Like You Train

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       The character of a person is sometimes measured by the difficulties he overcomes.  The warrior by his battle victories, the runner by his long races, or the climber by the mountains he summits.  Rock ClimberOf course, we all fight battles, run races, and climb mountains in our own lives.  Sometimes these are not physical, but mental, emotional or even spiritual. 

       Great victories are not accomplished overnight but require time, discipline and training.  There’s a saying among warriors that you fight like you train.  From that maxim comes the cliché, the more you sweat in training, the less you’ll bleed in battle.  We all struggle in different arenas almost every day, so the concept of fighting should not be reduced to military combat or a boxing ring.    The nurse’s ability to fight and save lives depends on her years of academic and practical training which prepared her for the conflicts she faces in the emergency room as sick and wounded come in for medical treatment.  The lawyer’s ability to fight in the courtroom depends on the years of training she received in law school as well as the training she gleaned from years of personal experience in the courtroom itself. 

       Every Christian is born on a spiritual battlefield.  It is the devil’s world, and Satan “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).  The Christian is called to resist the devil by faith, trusting God at His Word (1 Pet. 5:9).  This means learning God’s Word and consciously applying it to everyday situations.  It is through everyday practice that the Christian becomes proficient in applying God’s Word to his life, as it addresses marriage, raising children, friendships, social issues, finances, law, and other aspects of human life and experience.  We cannot always predict the difficulties we’ll face in life, and certainly we cannot always stop or avoid them, but we need not be overrun by them either, as we can be mentally prepared to stand firm in the faith.  The daily practice of learning and living God’s Word prepares the Christian for challenges, in whatever form they take, whether prosperity or adversity (Phil. 4:11-13).  I say prosperity or adversity, because one can destroy the Christian as easily as the other.  The first is a pleasant distraction while the other a difficult one.  Both can be used by Satan to get the believer to focus more on the things of this world rather than God.  Spiritual victory demands focus on God and His Word, otherwise defeat is inevitable. 

       When confronted with a crisis, the mind can be shocked and want to shut down due to sensory overload, but this is the time when the Christian should be the thinking on Scripture.  Failure to respond properly in a crisis can result in being a casualty rather than a victor.  The repetition of daily reading and thinking on Scripture helps ingrain God’s Word for when the Christian needs it most during a trial.  Constant exposure and repetition to Scripture is the key to learning, and we know we’ve truly learned something when we can apply it when under pressure.  The time we spend reading the Bible, studying under a good Pastor-Teacher, reading good Christian books, and engaging in good theological discussions all prepare us for when the disaster strikes.  I speak with certainty on this point, for if one lives long enough, trials will come.  I know Christians who collapse under minor disturbances such as changes in the weather, burned food, or a flat tire.  Because these Christians have failed to handle life’s little battles, they’ve set themselves up for major failure when the big storms of life come their way.  This need not happen.  The Christian can train his mind daily to think on Scripture and to apply it to the various situations that come his way.  As we grow spiritually over time, our little faith will become big faith, and little victories will lead to bigger victories in the Lord. 

       The storms of life are inevitable, but how we face them is optional.  As Christians, we have a choice to live by faith and apply God’s Word to our situations.  We do not always have control over the things that happen to us, but neither do we have to be controlled by them.  As Christians, we always want to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, [and] to please Him in all respects” (Col. 1:10).  By faith we can face a conflict, an injustice, or a hurt done to us, and be the winner because we handled it in a way that pleases the Lord.    The life of faith always pleases God (Rom. 10:17; 2 Cor. 5:7-9; Heb. 11:6).

       God is always with us.  He never leaves or fails us.  He is our Lord and He loves us more than we will ever know, even when the battle rages and it seems we are fighting longer than we can endure.  We cannot fail, and the Lord will see us through us through it. 

Dr. Steven R. Cook