Blog 15 - Spiritual Warfare: Recognizing It, Responding To It

You know when you're leading a ministry or business, giving it your all, but somehow facing one obstacle after another until you're completely exhausted? Most Christian leaders mistake this as life simply being difficult. But it's actually something far more sinister: meticulously orchestrated spiritual warfare designed to destroy you and derail your God-given assignment.

In this episode, I'll unmask these hidden attacks and equip you with two critical strategies. First, how to minimize unnecessary spiritual assaults through abiding with Christ, and second, how to directly confront the enemy when warfare is unavoidable. Because here's the truth: the predator targeting your calling won't stop until you recognize what's happening and respond with the authority Christ has already given you.

The Hidden Assaults We Often Miss

Last August, I stayed in a nice hotel in the panhandle of Florida. I didn't realize there was a problem, and of course, you can't address what you don't recognize. Several days later, I discovered I was covered in bug bites! Horribly itchy spots had appeared all over my torso and legs! I wracked my brain trying to figure out what happened. I hadn't been in any no-see-um swarms, those little biting gnats. And I hadn't noticed dozens of mosquitos assaulting me. Yet somehow, I was covered in insect bites!

With a bit of research and attention, I realized I was the feast of bed bugs in my hotel, with symptoms that delay for a day or two. By the time I got a clue, I was already fully covered in bites, suffering the miserable consequences.

Demonic assault against us and our God given assignments can be like those bedbugs; we are often completely unaware there is even a problem. I wish the consequences of our lack of awareness or response to the enemy's opposition were only a similar annoyance, but it is so much more destructive because of the nature of our enemy.

The Predatory Nature of Our Enemy

Understand that Satan is a true predator without empathy. He is actively seeking the most defenseless and trapped, the needy and the afflicted, as well as those with high ideals and an embraced call upon their lives. Let me give you a visual image as an analogy of what this dynamic looks like. I apologize in advance for the graphic nature of this true story, but I am making a serious point.

Shortly after we moved to Colorado, on a cold winter's day, I went around to the back of my house. I tried to open the six-foot gate leading to the space under my deck.

There was snow and ice blanketing everything, and as I tried to get the gate open, it was stuck fast. I slammed my body into it. No budge. Something appeared stuck under it.

What is that?? It didn't look right.

I took the long way around the house to approach the gate from the opposite direction.

Then I saw the grisly truth.

An animal had tried to evade capture by darting under my gate, a response that, no doubt, had worked for it many times before. But this time, there was a build-up of snow and ice under the gate, severely narrowing the passageway. The animal, I believe a cat, got stuck halfway without a moment to spare. The chasing predator had then grabbed its exposed parts and began pulling, stripping the skin and fur right off the animal's hindquarters.

I felt sickened knowing that the torture must have continued for some time until the predator came up with the same idea I had. Approach the victim from the other side. The cat was then mauled and stripped from his head, all the while remaining stuck fast under my gate, pinned down to endure a gruesome death.

It took me weeks after extracting the carcass from under my gate to deaden the image in my mind of this terrified, suffering cat. It was the only way to avoid perpetual weeping. It was that upsetting to me.

I confess, sometimes I respond the same way to the upsetting news in the world, the state of my nation, or even some heartbreaking dynamics in my own family. Sometimes, I don't realize what I am doing when I ignore the source of opposition by focusing even more intensely on my work, pushing harder rather than addressing the predator by using my God-given authority to shut down his assaults.

 
This tendency to become numb to spiritual attack is precisely what the enemy counts on.
 

This tendency to become numb to spiritual attack is precisely what the enemy counts on. Just as I had to force myself to "deaden the image" of that suffering animal to function, we can find ourselves deadening our awareness of spiritual predation, focusing instead on just working harder or pushing through. But this only leaves us more vulnerable to the enemy's ruthless tactics.

A World at War: Understanding Our Reality

There are only two kingdoms—the Kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness. The enemy is here to steal, kill, and destroy. Those are serious outcomes that make my life and yours miserable, even as we do everything in our natural power to avoid harm or to make progress.

We need to recognize that the predator, Satan, is MORE ruthless than neighborhood coyotes. And a real response from us using the tools God has given us is nearer to the heart of God than disposing of the "carcass" in our own minds, repressing or ignoring the ways the enemy is impacting our lives and our mission.

This same predator is at work in opposition to your family, your emotional and spiritual health, your union with God, and the assignments God has entrusted to you. Do you recognize his assaults, or have you become numb, allowing the enemy to wreak havoc in your life without true resistance? Are we alive to the reality of the horrendous cruelty of the greatest predator of all, the enemy not just of our souls but of the abundant life our good God wishes to bestow upon us?

 
Do you recognize his assaults, or have you become numb, allowing the enemy to wreak havoc in your life without true resistance?
 

The Bible is clear: Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. We cannot resist if we do not recognize the difference between warfare and the mindset, "Life is hard". A "Life is hard" mentality seduces us to work harder and to fight from a place of vision and determination. God's way is very different, as Zerubbabel learned.

God gave a vision to the prophet Zechariah during the time when the Israelites were rebuilding the temple after returning from the Babylonian exile. Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, faced significant opposition and discouragement as he led the rebuilding effort. God's message to Zerubbabel through Zechariah was that the temple would not be completed through human strength or political power, but through the empowering work of God's Spirit:

• "…This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6 NIV)

Using our own resources, determination, and faculties to overcome opposition is self-reliance! Self-reliance did not work well for the cat under my gate, it would not have worked well for Zerubbabel, and it won't work well for us as we face significant opposition to the call on our lives.

Recognizing the Signs of Spiritual Warfare

Resistance and opposition to your life and mission are expected. The Bible paints a clear picture of a world at war spiritually. We may have been taught that the enemy is a defeated foe, powerless and defanged.

However, although Christ has indeed already secured ultimate victory over Satan through His death and resurrection, the enemy is still active in this world, waging war against believers until Christ's final return. There is tension between the "already" of Christ's victory and the "not yet" of its full realization.

Even though Satan is defeated, he still prowls and seeks to destroy Believers. Peter reminds us:

• "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

Those who are unaware that opposition may be demonically sourced are therefore unaware how to resist and are at most significant risk for attack by an opportunist enemy!

Becoming aware is not the same thing as giving the enemy inordinate attention. Nabeel Jabbour, in his book The Unseen Reality: A Panoramic View of Spiritual Warfare, reminds his readers to glance at the enemy while gazing at Jesus. This powerful principle should guide our approach to spiritual warfare. We acknowledge the enemy's tactics without becoming fixated on them, keeping our primary focus on Christ, His promises, and His authority entrusted to us.

God does not leave us defenseless. But we may not be using the defenses He has provided for our protection, as well as for our productivity by His Spirit.

We must unmask spiritual warfare and the forces behind it so we can deal with it appropriately. Without properly identifying the true nature of our opposition, we can't respond effectively. It's like treating symptoms while ignoring the underlying disease—you might get temporary relief, but the condition worsens.

Feeling overwhelmed is a sure sign that you're encountering spiritual resistance. The enemy is not happy about all the ways God wants to impact your sphere of influence through your voice, attitudes, and actions. Spiritual warfare can feel overwhelming when you're trying to move forward without sufficient prayer backing. We can pray directly against these foul spirits!

 
Opposition and resistance are inevitable but manageable with focused, targeted prayer. We should not head into enemy territory without the firepower to cover us!
 

What we often fail to recognize is just how diabolical our enemy truly is. His opposition ranges from annoying distractions to life-threatening assaults. Here are signs that you may be facing spiritual warfare:

Daily Interference:

• Technology breakdowns hindering progress
• Persistent communication misunderstandings
• Unusual obstacles to routine tasks
• Unexpected financial setbacks
• Brief bouts of discouragement or confusion

Significant Opposition:

• False accusations damaging your reputation
• Intensified conflict within teams or families
• Resources disappearing despite careful stewardship
• Persistent health issues evading diagnosis or treatment
• Problems dramatically escalating near breakthrough moments
• Unusual resistance in previously favorable areas

Ruthless Attacks:

• Betrayals within your inner circle that sabotage Kingdom projects
• Sudden severe health issues affecting key mission personnel
• Devastating accidents or deaths of pivotal team members
• Team members becoming emotionally, spiritually, or physically incapacitated
• Houses or facilities experiencing sudden destruction—frozen pipes, collapsed roofs, or other catastrophes
• Multiple crises converging at critical project milestones

The ramifications of these attacks often extend far beyond the immediate impact. What appears as a simple technology failure might cause you to miss a crucial deadline. A minor health issue might prevent a key presentation. A small team conflict might derail months of careful relationship building.

Most telling is when these things happen in clusters that defy explanation. When you find yourself saying, "There's no way this is just a coincidence that all these things are happening right now," you're likely recognizing the coordinated nature of spiritual assault. The enemy is strategic, targeting vulnerable moments and critical pathways in your assignment.

We can so easily dismiss these as "just life happening," but when we examine the timing, the targets, and the cumulative effect, a pattern emerges that reveals intentional opposition. I assure you, this is not a comprehensive list! But these challenges are signals that opposition in the spiritual realm is resisting your work or influence.

Opposition and resistance are inevitable but manageable with focused, targeted prayer. We should not head into enemy territory without the firepower to cover us!

The Pregnancy Metaphor: Birthing Kingdom Assignments

Sometimes, it feels like we are pregnant with an idea or a mission. As leaders, we undertake projects of great significance, whether to a body of believers, our communities, our industry, or even our nation — growing the governance of our God over our spheres of influence.

Recently, as I was in deep prayer, God gave me a profound revelation that I believe is critical for this season in the Church. He showed me a powerful picture of how strategic intercession serves as His divine intervention for the body of Christ that struggles with spiritual pregnancies and deliveries.

In this revelation, He specifically highlighted something from my personal story—He has given me an anointing for rapid deliveries in the natural realm. My oldest was born breech, and yet was delivered in a mere 30 minutes! My second born felt like a leisurely delivery at 45 minutes. And my son was accidentally born at home, with the help of my unsuspecting husband, in just eight minutes from the time I woke up to when we were holding him.

God wasn't just reminding me of my unusual birth experiences. He showed me that this natural anointing parallels what He is doing spiritually through this Strategic Intercession platform. God impressed on me that in the same way He gave me a natural anointing for quick, uncomplicated deliveries, He's now using me to help the body of Christ birth their God-given assignments with greater ease.

You see, God showed me that what He has entrusted to His people—these spiritual pregnancies—are often fraught with complications. In the natural, pregnancies can face life-threatening medical issues for both mother and baby. Deliveries can take days and be utterly grueling! After such a traumatic experience, a woman might cry out to her doctor, "I am finished having babies! Please tie my fallopian tubes! No more pregnancies for me!"

Similarly, what God has called His people to birth for the expansion of His Kingdom can be fraught with warfare and complications. These spiritual pregnancies are often birthed in great pain and delay, or they can come to fruition quickly with minimal trouble. But in this late hour of God's plan for the ages, we no longer have time to allow spiritual pregnancies to be so opposed!

 
The practice of strategic intercession is the intervention the body of Christ needs to deliver what God is birthing with greater ease.
 

The practice of strategic intercession is the intervention the body of Christ needs to deliver what God is birthing with greater ease.

None of us are so advanced in our spirituality that we do not need prayer targeting what God has called us to accomplish.

Biblical Models of Prayer Dependency

Even the apostle Paul, a man who wrote much of the New Testament and who God used mightily, didn't rely on his own strength or wisdom. In Ephesians, Paul, after instructing believers to put on the full armor of God, humbly asks for prayer:

• "Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel… Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." (Ephesians 6:19-20)

Paul understood that, despite his calling and gifting, he could not carry out his mission without the prayers of the saints. Paul knew that his boldness, clarity, and effectiveness in preaching the gospel depended on prayer.

 
We're not called to go it alone. In fact, we're designed to need one another.
 

Even Jesus Himself demonstrated complete dependence on God and interdependence on His disciples for prayer. He often retreated to quiet places to pray to connect with His Father:

• "...Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16)

Before choosing His disciples:

• "Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God." (Luke 6:12)

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asks His disciples to pray with Him in His time of distress. He says:

• "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me." (Matthew 26:38)

Even Jesus, the Son of God, relied on prayer to fulfill His mission, showing that we, too, must depend on prayer. We can accomplish nothing in our own strength!

We're not called to go it alone. In fact, we're designed to need one another. We accomplish God's purposes not through our own abilities or determination but through dependence on Him and interdependence on one another.

These biblical examples aren't merely historical information—they provide us with powerful templates for how we should approach the spiritual battles and Kingdom assignments before us. The principles they demonstrate translate directly into strategic approaches for taking territory for God's Kingdom.

Taking Territory: Strategic Approaches to Spiritual Warfare

In the Scriptures, King David serves as a powerful example of what it looks like to seek God's guidance before moving into action, especially when facing opposition. Typically, David did not assume victory or rely on his own strength. Instead, he consistently turned to God, asking Him for direction and instruction before every battle. Here, we see David's dependence on God:

• "So David inquired of the LORD, 'Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hands?' The LORD answered him, 'Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.'" (2 Samuel 5:19)

Notice David's question: "Shall I go?" He didn't move without first seeking God's approval. Then he asks, "Will You deliver them into my hands?" David recognized that any success he might have would be because of God's intervention. He wasn't asking God to bless his plans—he was waiting to receive God's plans. David listened carefully for specific instructions—not just general guidance. He didn't rely on yesterday's methods to win today's battle.

David’s example is the model we are to follow. Our prayer time is not just a checklist of things we want to accomplish; we bring our desires and plans before God and await His response. We seek His timing, methods, insights, and wisdom.

 
When we practice listening prayer and respond to God's specific directions, we alleviate some of the warfare we face in leadership.
 

The key takeaway is this: When we practice listening prayer and respond to God's specific directions, we alleviate some of the warfare we face in leadership.

Let me share a practical example of how responding to unexpected guidance can protect us from obstacles.

Earlier this month, about 30 minutes into my two-hour drive north on the interstate from Colorado Springs to Loveland, I was watching my GPS. Traffic was moving smoothly—everything looked fine. Then, suddenly, my GPS told me to take the next exit. It didn't make sense, but I trusted it and followed its direction. As soon as I left the freeway, I saw the problem over the crest of the hill—a long line of stopped cars ahead—a huge traffic jam. If I had ignored the guidance and stayed on the road, I would have been stuck at a standstill for an hour on my journey north.

Holy Spirit impressed upon me: He knows the end from the beginning—if only we will listen. Like my GPS, my connection with God must stay active through abiding. I need to pay attention, and most importantly, I need to OBEY His guidance—otherwise, I risk getting entangled.

This experience illustrates a vital question for all kingdom leaders: Are we positioned to avoid the roadblocks in our lives—the delays, obstacles, and even wrecks ahead?

Just like my GPS guided me away from trouble, God is always speaking. Tending to our union with Him, staying connected, and following His lead is how we minimize the battles we don't even need to fight. This avoidance of unnecessary warfare starts with attentiveness. Partnering with God is a constant interactive experience—not receiving blueprints for a project, running off to accomplish them, and then returning to God upon completion!

Hand-to-Hand Combat: Exercising Spiritual Authority

God may lead us away from some battles, but for others, He calls us to stand and fight through prayer. If we don’t take our place, we leave territory unguarded—and the enemy is always looking for an open door. The Bible reminds us:

• "We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one." (1 John 5:19 NIV)
• "We are to resist the enemy!" (James 4:7)

God has granted us spiritual authority. We take our stand against the devil's schemes:

• "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." (Ephesians 6:11-12)

Note this admonition from Paul:

• "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NIV)

Jesus said:

• "I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy…" (Luke 10:19 NIV)

Wherever we leave a vacuum in authority, the enemy will step up and introduce chaos. Jesus entrusted His authority to us. We are the Bride of the King!

Name the assaults you are under, and command the perpetrator of that bad fruit to GO, in Jesus' name. Forbid the operation of the spirits behind the battles you are facing, spirits like Lack, Accusation, Debt, Death, Destruction, Discouragement, Anxiety, Chaos, Delay, or words that name any of the other ways you are being opposed.

In practice, this approach is flexible: Unless God gives me a specific name of a tormenting spirit, I simply command every spirit whose assignment matches the specific opposition I am facing to STOP, to GO, cancelling their assignments against me, by the blood of Jesus.

It was said of Jesus that he cast out the evil spirits with a simple command. (Matthew 8:16 GNT) Likewise, we can fight back, resisting the work of these spirits, in Jesus' name. We enforce the word of the Lord; when we resist, the enemy must flee!

Evaluating Your Prayer Coverage

There's a profound disconnect in the body of Christ today—between what we profess about prayer and what we practice. This isn't merely an observation; it's a spiritual crisis at the heart of Christian leadership.

Take a moment right now to identify three specific areas where God has entrusted you with influence or responsibility. Got them in mind? Good.

Now the truth-telling begins: Are you consistently covering these assignments in prayer? Not occasionally. Not when crisis strikes. But consistently, intentionally, as a non-negotiable priority?

If not, then regardless of your theological affirmations about prayer's importance, you're functionally declaring independence from God. Every prayerless day of leadership is an unspoken statement: "I can handle this part without divine intervention."

And what about inviting others to intercede? If you're carrying leadership burdens without a committed prayer shield, you're rejecting the pattern of interdependence that even Jesus embraced in Gethsemane.

The fruit of this prayer deficit is everywhere—leaders burning out, ministries plateauing, and Kingdom advances stalling—all while we continue to affirm how much we value prayer. When we face the ruthless predator we discussed earlier without proper prayer covering, we're as vulnerable as that trapped animal with no way to escape.

Jesus spoke with piercing clarity:

• "Apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Nothing eternal. Nothing Kingdom-advancing. Nothing that withstands the ruthless assaults of our enemy.

 
This moment calls for brutal honesty: What vision has God entrusted to you that remains vulnerable because it lacks proper prayer coverage?
 

This moment calls for brutal honesty: What vision has God entrusted to you that remains vulnerable because it lacks proper prayer coverage? What assignment continues to face unnecessary complications in its birth process because it hasn't been fully surrendered to God and covered by intercession?

The question isn't whether you believe in prayer—it's whether your approach to your God-given assignments demonstrates that belief through consistent, strategic prayer practices. Because belief without corresponding action isn't faith—it's merely religious opinion.

I urge you: Don't just evaluate your prayer coverage—take immediate action to strengthen it. The enemy is too ruthless, and your assignment is too important to continue without strategic prayer protection.

Call to Action

Let me circle back to that powerful picture God gave me about complicated pregnancies in the body of Christ.

In this late hour of God's plan—and I truly believe we are in the final chapters of His redemptive story—we simply don't have time for extended, opposed deliveries of Kingdom initiatives. The harvest is urgent, and strategic intercession is God's intervention to help His body deliver what He's birthing with supernatural ease.

You can minimize these complications—this warfare—in two powerful ways:

First, through deep, consistent abiding with Christ.

Think of this as the spiritual equivalent of excellent prenatal care. When you maintain intimate connection with God—not just in crisis moments but continuously—you create an environment where His purposes can develop healthily.

Be interactive with Him throughout the project, just as David was, asking at every turn, "Shall I go up? Will You deliver them into my hand?" Conversational intimacy prevents unnecessary warfare because God knows the end from the beginning and can guide you around obstacles before you encounter them.

Second, by boldly using the authority Christ has already given you to directly confront the foul spirits interfering with your God-given assignments.

When complications arise in natural childbirth, medical intervention can save both mother and child. Similarly, your God-given authority can break through spiritual opposition that threatens to kill what God wants to birth through you.

But here's the crucial point—you cannot exercise this authority if you don't first recognize that your constant challenges are spiritual warfare, not just "life being hard." And you certainly can't respond to spiritual warfare effectively if you're not using the spiritual weapons God has provided!

 
I believe God is raising up leaders who will no longer tolerate unnecessary complications in birthing His purposes.
 

A strong prayer covering isn’t optional to cover your assignments—it’s essential. Get the practical help you need to establish or strengthen yours. Subscribe to StrategicIntercession.com to unlock free resources, including our ebook and audiobook Prayer Shield: A Guide to the Strategic Intercession You Need.

Let me be clear: None of us—no matter how spiritually mature—are so advanced that we don't need targeted prayer for what God has commissioned us to accomplish. If you recognize the enemy’s resistance against what God has called you to do, don’t hesitate—these strategies are for right now. Not tomorrow, not for next week—but, for today.

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