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May 22, 2025 18:00pm

What Now?: Spiritual Warfare

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The following comes from the devotional book “What Now?” by Ashley Akers. To learn more, go to www.whatnowdevo.com.

Spiritual Warfare

All of us are born into a physical world, but there is also a spiritual realm we cannot see. There is a spiritual battle going on—a war for our hearts. We don’t see this war going on with our eyes, but we certainly experience the effects of it in our physical world. Unforgiveness, fear, pride, broken relationships, doubt, low self-esteem, hopelessness, instability, anger and mental exhaustion make up a short list of effects from the battles we face.

Ephesians 6:12 gives us the source:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

The spiritual forces of evil have a goal: to steal, kill and destroy. The main goal is to destroy your credibility, your relationships, your hope, your health and your joy. We aren’t battling against each other, we are battling the enemy. The enemy is a liar and will attack at every opportunity.

James 4:7-8,10 says,

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

How are we supposed to submit to God? First, we must YIELD. When we are attacked, it becomes all about us. We must be willing to trust God completely and allow Him to lift the burdens of our hearts, not taking matters in our own hands. We must firmly believe God is in control and trust He will handle our circumstances.

Another way of submitting to God is truly repenting of your sins. Own up to them! You can’t have a close relationship with God if you deny your sins. Confess them and get real with God. The hardest part of submitting to God is humbling yourself with the truth of your great need for Him and through worship. Shift your eyes from yourself to God by exalting Him! Works. Every. Time.

How do you resist the devil? Don’t give in to the lies and the temptations the enemy throws at you. For example, when somebody hurts you, don’t give in to the temptation to retaliate. Give it to God in prayer. He is your peace.

Understand that you cannot fight the enemy on your own. God can! We are not strong or smart enough. God is! The war has already been won! When I’m in a spiritual battle, I like to go for a walk by myself. Listening to worship music and praying focuses my heart and mind on Jesus. When I do this, I’m completely trusting in Jesus to fight for me. By the end of the walk, I find myself no longer suppressed by the enemy. For you it may not be a walk. It may be a car ride, hiding out in the bathroom for 10 minutes or going to a certain room in your house. Wherever your getaway place is, fight the enemy with prayer, meditate on the Word and submit to God—in all things!

Reflection Questions

1. What type of warfare are you currently experiencing?

2. How do you currently handle this warfare? Does it line up with James 4:7-8?

3. Do you have a getaway place to pray? Where?