Signs of Spiritual Attack

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:12-13).

In these days, the enemy is looking for a weakness in your flesh. In the days just before the rapture, the enemy has a plan to snare the believer and bring spiritual impotence. So to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Here are some telltale sign of spiritual attack. The enemy will seek to pull you back into things that once held your attention and bound your flesh. The sensual gaze, the fantasy world where the things of the flesh seem so appealing is a major snare the enemy will use. Today, movies, the internet, magazines, and the airwaves in general are filled with the risqué and the tawdry appeal of sex without marriage. This is a common attack and easily snares the unaware.

Phillips Translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 give a clear warning for our generation: God’s plan is to make you holy, and that means a clean cut with sexual immorality. Every one of you should learn to control his body, keeping it pure and treating it with respect, and never allowing it to fall victim to lust, as do pagans with no knowledge of God. You cannot break this rule without cheating your fellow men. Indeed God will punish all who do offend in this matter, as we have plainly told you and warned you. The calling of God is not to impurity but to the most thorough purity, and anyone who makes light of the matter is not making light of man’s ruling but of God’s command. It is not for nothing that the Spirit that God gives us is called the Holy Spirit

Mammon is another tool in the enemy’s arsenal of weapons to hinder spiritual life. The craving desire for more; more money, more possessions and the prestige they bring. Paul’s admonition fits well here: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:7-10).

Strife and divisiveness are another common strategy of the evil one. Spiritual life fails when strife, selfish ambitions, un-forgiveness, malice, and un-controlled anger rule. One of the signs of the last days mentioned by Jesus is a lack of love. And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity (Matthew 24:12 – Amplified).

Paul encourages us along these lines: Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:31-32).

We could go on and on in unmasking Satan’s tactics. The cure for of his ploys is for us to keep that “first love” relationship with Jesus ablaze in our hearts. Because I love Him more than anything the world, the flesh, or the devil offer, I choose to keep myself from the temptations that allure. That is the heart drive that should guide our day.

Do you love him enough to say no when the tempter comes? Hear Jesus speaking today: Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends (Revelation 3:20 – New Living Translation).