7 Powerful Scriptures for Spiritual Attacks
I spent most of my life assuming that fearful thoughts, negative circumstances, and challenging situations were “just happening to me.” Over time, I learned that the spiritual realm is just as real as the physical realm; furthermore, we can fight back against the spiritual forces of evil. Today, we’ll look at seven Scriptures for spiritual attacks as we learn to stand our ground against the enemy.
I invite you to join me as I recently identified a spiritual attack and stood my ground by speaking God’s Word.
Scriptures for Spiritual Attacks
Not long ago, I was invited to speak at a women’s event. As the day of the event approached, my emotions were all over the place. I was excited and honored, but I was also ridiculously nervous.
About a week before the event, I told a friend about the nerves, which were leading to teenage-like acne and restless nights with poor sleep.
“It sounds like the enemy doesn’t want you to share what God has put on your heart,” my friend remarked.
I knew she was right. Until that moment, it had never occurred to me that the anxious thoughts I was experiencing could be coming from any source other than myself.
“It sounds like the enemy would love to derail you and steal your joy as you go into this event. It’s time to start fighting back,” my friend encouraged.
How to Know You’re Facing a Spiritual Attack
As I grappled to identify the source of my nervousness, a verse came to mind: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
The nervous thoughts I’d been experiencing were certainly stealing my peace, killing my joy, and damaging my relationships. My friend was right. Instead of letting anxiety overtake me, it was time to fight back.
My battle strategy would be the same as Jesus’ strategy when Satan attacked him in the wilderness: I would fight back by speaking God’s Word.
In his letter to the Ephesian church, the Apostle Paul named a variety of pieces of armor that help us stand against Satan’s attacks. Interestingly, all but one piece of armor in this description is defensive, meant to offer protection from the enemy’s attacks. Only one of these pieces of armor is an offensive weapon: the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (see Ephesians 6:10-18).
God’s Word Is a Weapon
God’s Word is an offensive weapon, and we can use it to destroy the works of the enemy.
The Bible is living and active. When we speak God’s Word to Satan, he submits to its power. The devil is a liar, and God’s Word of Truth stands in authority over his schemes.
I chose to speak my own translation of Nehemiah 8:10 every time I felt nervous about my speaking engagement: “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
For the next week, I spoke this verse hundreds of times.
The morning of the event, I went for a long jog and asked God to show me his desire for the day. He revealed something I wasn’t expecting. I sensed that he wanted me to enjoy speaking to the women, focusing on his joy as I shared.
I’ve spoken plenty of times, but this was the first time I’d ever felt that my aim was to share the joy of the Lord.
I asked all of my close friends to pray for joy to radiate through me, and when I took the stage to share, God answered our prayers. At first, I felt nervous. It took a few minutes for me to settle in. By the time I reached the second half of my talk, God’s joy flowed from me as I shared stories about his faithfulness and encouraged the women in the room to pursue him.
Hearts were touched. God’s joy was palpable in the room.
The enemy wanted to steal my joy and stifle my message. Meanwhile, God had a different plan. By speaking God’s Word, I overcame the enemy’s attack and walked in God’s peace and joy.
7 Scriptures for Spiritual Attacks
No matter what comes our way in life, we can wield God’s Word as a weapon. Perhaps you’re facing a battle that feels insurmountable today. Here are a few Scriptures to help you overcome the works of the enemy:
1. Romans 8:37
Romans 8:37 reads, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (NASB).
No matter what you face today, you are more than a conqueror through Christ. All authority in heaven and earth belongs to him.
If you love Jesus, you have this same authority because you are found in him. Claim it and stand on it.
2. 1 Corinthians 10:13
First Corinthians 10:13 reads, “No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
This verse reminds us that God always offers us a way out in times of temptation. When the enemy aims to destroy you by tempting you, ask God to show you the way out of temptation.
3. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Second Thessalonians 3:3 reads, “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
Speak this verse when you feel defeated and discouraged. God wants to give you strength. He fights your battles for you.
4. Ephesians 6:17
This verse reads, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (ESV).
When we speak God’s Word, the enemy must flee. For this reason, we hide God’s Word in our hearts and speak it when we sense we are under spiritual attack. God’s Word offensively attacks the enemy like a sword.
God's Word offensively attacks the enemy like a sword. #spiritualwarfare #faith Share on X5. Isaiah 55:1
Isaiah 55:1 reminds us, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
God’s Word never returns empty or void. Spiritual forces in heavenly realms move according to God’s Word, and when believers speak it, we stand in the authority of Christ.
6. John 7:38
This verse reads, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Jesus wants to fill us with his living water so that his love and light pour through us onto others.
We can draw close to him and be filled with this living water by spending time in the Bible
7. Ephesians 6:13
The Apostle Paul reminds us, “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 firm.”
This verse reminds us to put on the armor of God. We are to remember that we are in a battle and pay attention to the attacks happening around us. When we sense we are under attack, we speak God’s Word, cling to our faith, stand on our salvation, and turn to Jesus.
Let’s talk more about how to use these Scriptures on the battlefield.
How to Use These Scriptures for Spiritual Attacks on the Battlefield
I encourage you to memorize and speak one of these verses—or search your Bible and find a verse that directly addresses the battle you are facing—and speak it every time you sense you are being attacked.
We don’t need to get too caught up in whether our thoughts are coming directly from the enemy, from our flesh, or from somewhere else. I’ve learned that when any destructive thought, worry, or fear arises, speaking God’s Word leads to peace and victory.
This works because the Word is alive and active. Our nervous systems submit to the Word. The enemy submits to the Word. Our misaligned thought patterns are corrected according to the Word.
When we speak God’s Word, we move toward victory.
An eBook to Help You Stand Firm in Spiritual Attacks
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.
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