12 Ways to Destroy the Works of the Devil
Over the water of a still lake, a cluster of hardwoods casts russet shadows. I’m in the forest tonight because I need this space to sort through a series of challenges our family has been facing. I sense we’ve been facing one spiritual attack after another, but I realize that we cannot destroy the works of the devil without identifying them first.
The forest is a mishmash of colors—cranberry, ochre, and umber. As I gaze at the scene, it’s hard to discern where reality ends and the mirror image begins.
At times, I’ve experienced similar sentiments in my spiritual life. I’ve scratched my head in bewilderment as I’ve aimed to discern whether my circumstances were the result of attacks from the enemy, the results of living in a fallen world, or simply negative consequences.
Over time, I’ve learned that there are plenty of grey areas when it comes to the causes of pain and trials in life. It’s not always easy to discern the precise cause of our difficulties.
As we endure these times, we can find peace in the following truth: Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy; meanwhile, God is sovereign over the works of the enemy.
12 Ways to Destroy the Works of the Devil
We can tell Satan is on the move when forces come into our lives to steal, kill, and destroy.
Over the next 12 weeks, we’ll explore 12 ways to combat these attacks and destroy the works of the devil. I’m also excited to release a new eBook called Rise Up: A Spiritual Warfare Workbook for Overcoming Spiritual Attacks. You can download this 12-chapter book at the end of today’s post.
Today, I’ll offer a quick overview of these battle strategies.
This is not an exhaustive list. Consider these strategies tools to help you stand firm in spiritual attacks and press close to Jesus in difficult times.
How to Destroy the Works of the Devil
1. Reject the Spirit of Offense
When I was in high school, I found my identity through sports. After sustaining an injury, my senior year was disappointing. My goal was to win the district track meet in the 800-meter run and medal at the state track meet.
Due to the injury (as well as other events), I didn’t reach either of these goals. In response, I turned away from God.
I blamed him for allowing the injury that set me back and took offense toward him. This led to four of the most rebellious, painful years of my life.
I eventually returned to God with a humble and repentant heart, but the destruction I reaped during the rebellious years took decades to heal.
At times, I wonder how my life would have been different if I had rejected the spirit of offense instead of embracing it.
2. Speak God’s Word
When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he fought back by speaking God’s Word.
In his letter to the Ephesian church, the Apostle Paul called God’s Word the sword of the Spirit. We can fight back against spiritual attacks by reading, meditating on, studying, and speaking God’s Word.
For a list of Scriptures to destroy the works of the devil, click here.
3. Resist the Enemy
James teaches us that if we resist the enemy, he will flee from us. We resist the enemy by refusing to step into intentional sin. We resist him by obeying God as we can.
We speak God’s Word and stand on his truth instead of standing on our feelings.
We’ll talk more about resisting the enemy in a few weeks.
4. Love Others Even When They’re Hard to Love
Love is one of our greatest weapons for destroying the works of the devil.
Satan wants us to fight hatred with hatred. He works to divide and create tension and discord. We stand against his work when we love those who don’t love us. We serve those who will never thank us.
Years ago, a mentor taught me a simple phrase: “Kill them with kindness.”
In other words, when people are unkind, we are to respond with extreme kindness. When this kindness is fueled by prayer and love, it makes an impact in the spiritual realm.
The more love we extend to others, the greater our capacities to glorify God and destroy the works of Satan.
5. Reject Self-Focus
Insecurity, self-pity, self-consciousness, and self-promotion are all tools used by the enemy to shift our focus in a fruitless direction.
When I am so consumed with my personal insecurities that I stop looking for the needs surrounding me, the enemy wins. When I’m so busy feeling sorry for myself that I miss opportunities to love and serve others—even my own family members—the enemy gains ground in my life.
We all face times when we’re tempted to lean toward excessive introspection or even self-exaltation. This inward focus leads us to take our eyes off of Jesus and live for the idol of self. Every time this happens, the enemy wins a battle.
I’ve learned to quickly repent when I catch myself looking inward for too long. I ask God to change my focus and help me turn away from myself and toward him. This is a prayer he is faithful to answer.
6. Cultivate Joy in Your Everyday Life
Just as love destroys the works of the devil, joy is a powerful weapon against his schemes. When our lives are filled with joy, others are drawn to Jesus through us.
When we learn to exude joy in challenging times, the enemy’s strongholds of discouragement and doubt are overcome.
By learning to exude joy in challenging times, the enemy’s strongholds of discouragement and doubt are overcome. #victory #spiritualwarfare Share on X7. Learn to Process Your Emotions With God
Our emotions are God-given.
The enemy would like our emotions to lead us to sin. Meanwhile, God invites us to bring our emotions to him, unpack them in his presence, and align ourselves with him.
We overcome the works of the devil by learning to deal with our emotions in healthy ways. We’ll talk more about how to do this in a few weeks.
8. Practice Emotional Vulnerability in Relationships
A sheep that has wandered away from the flock is susceptible to attack.
In the same way, the enemy aims to isolate us. When we are alone—without the support, accountability, and protection offered by others—we are far more vulnerable to attacks.
For this reason, we overcome the enemy’s tactics by staying in close relationships with other believers, worshiping with others, and being authentic with others. We were not designed to navigate life independently.
9. Choose Worship Over Worry
Satan detests our worship. He will do anything possible to keep us from worshiping God. This includes sending distracting thoughts, stirring anger in our hearts, and employing other tactics to pull us away from praising God.
We overcome the enemy’s attacks every time we worship God with sincere hearts. Attending corporate worship services, listening to worship music in our cars and homes, and turning to God in worship in difficult moments are all ways of rising above spiritual attacks.
10. Persevere in Prayer for Others
The enemy often aims to attack us by creating disunity. He divides relationships and aims to cause strife.
When we persevere in prayer for others, God changes our hearts. He fills our hearts with love for people who might otherwise feel like enemies. He gives us his vision for their lives and empowers us to share his love with them.
11. Live With Integrity When No One Is Watching
Many years ago, a wise mentor offered me advice I’ve never forgotten. He said, “Aim to be the same person behind closed doors as you are in public.”
This advice is hard to embrace when my kids are fighting and my patience is running short. It’s hard to live up to when I’m grumpy after a bad night’s sleep or don’t feel like being kind to my family.
People with integrity exhibit strong moral character—both in public and behind closed doors. We overcome the works of the enemy when we are Christlike in all situations.
12. Imagine Winning the Day Before it Begins
Before the day begins, I often spend a few minutes imagining the events planned for the day ahead.
I imagine being kind to my kids when they argue with each other and interrupt my plans. I envision myself being friendly with the grumpy cashier at the store or staying calm while calling the insurance company for the fifth time in the week.
In short, I imagine what a “winning day” would look like and walk through it before the day begins. This process prepares me for moments when life seems to go off the rails and helps me prepare to turn to Jesus in moments of weakness—or when facing spiritual attacks.
An Online Workbook to Help You Destroy the Works of the Devil
Today’s post is taken from my new eBook, Rise Up. In 12 easy-to-read chapters, Rise Up will teach you 12 practical ways to put on the armor of God and find victory over Satan’s attacks. By changing our battle strategies, we can live in greater victory and push back against the enemy’s schemes. Download this eBook here for just $4.99. I appreciate your support. This small fee helps offset the costs of keeping this blog running. Thank you!
These books are free on Kindle Unlimited or available to purchase in print:
Lean Into Grace
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
Calling all moms and daughters!
Additionally, my teen daughter, Bekah, and I are passionate about helping moms and daughters grow closer while connecting with God. We have written two mother-daughter devotionals together. Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section after each devotion.
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