THE UPPER ROOM 8-8-25

Why does God permit demons to attack us?

WINNING THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE BATTLE

As believers, we are engaged in a spiritual war—a battle not fought with physical weapons but in the realm of thoughts, beliefs, and faith. The Bible reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 that “we live in this world, but we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.” These divine weapons have the power to demolish strongholds, refute arguments, and bring every thought into obedience to Christ. To live victoriously, we must understand the nature of this conflict, recognize the enemy’s tactics, and wield the spiritual tools God provides.

THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Spiritual warfare is a battle for your mind and beliefs. Ephesians 6:12 clarifies that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces—rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world. These unseen entities, often referred to as demons, operate like a military with ranks and strategies, seeking to disrupt our peace and derail our faith. They inject chaotic, disquieting thoughts—doubts, fears, regrets, or temptations—that create cognitive dissonance, a state where our beliefs and actions conflict, leading to inner turmoil.

Consider C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, a vivid illustration of how demons strategically target our thought lives. The senior demon, Screwtape, mentors his nephew Wormwood in manipulating a man’s mind, sowing confusion and doubt. This fictional account mirrors a biblical truth: the enemy seeks to introduce chaos by exploiting our vulnerabilities. Whether it’s reliving past hurts, obsessing over unresolved conflicts, or succumbing to fear and lust, these intrusive thoughts are not random—they are deliberate attacks aimed at undermining our trust in God.

WHY DOES GOD ALLOW THIS BATTLE?

You might wonder, Why does God permit demons to attack us? The answer lies in God’s desire for us to exercise free will. By allowing these spiritual challenges, He gives us the opportunity to choose faith over fear, obedience over rebellion. The story of Job illustrates this profoundly. Despite losing everything—his wealth, family, and health—Job refused to curse God, trusting His higher purpose even in suffering (Job 1-2). God sets boundaries on what the enemy can do, ensuring that every trial serves His ultimate plan to refine and strengthen our faith.

FIGHTING THE BATTLE: SPIRITUAL STRATEGIES

To win this war, we must actively engage with God’s divine weapons. Here are three key strategies to combat spiritual attacks:

1. Take Every Thought Captive (2 Corinthians 10:5): The enemy’s primary weapon is the injection of disruptive thoughts—whether it’s worry about the future, regret over the past, or temptation to sin. When these thoughts arise, we must recognize them as intrusions and redirect our focus to Christ. Biblical meditation—reading and speaking Scripture aloud—helps override these thoughts. Praising God and declaring His truth consistently can silence the enemy’s lies and restore peace.

2. Put on the Full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18): The armor of God—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word—is not a mere metaphor but a spiritual reality. However, it’s not enough to casually “put on” the armor. Each piece requires belief and communion with God. The belt of truth anchors us in God’s reality, the shield of faith protects us from doubt, and the sword of the Spirit equips us to counter temptation, as Jesus did in Matthew 4 when He rebuked Satan with God’s Word.

3. Embrace Worship as a Lifestyle: Continuous worship is the ultimate defense against demonic influence. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), we align our hearts with God’s truth. Worship, whether through prayer, praise, or meditating on Scripture, transforms our minds and guards against chaos. As Romans 12:1-2 urges, we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, renewed by God’s truth rather than conformed to the world’s patterns.

LESSONS FROM SCRIPTURE: JESUS AND EVE

The Bible offers us contrasting examples of how to handle temptation. In Genesis 3, Eve succumbed to the serpent’s lies by fixating on the forbidden fruit, rationalizing her decision, and ultimately acting against God’s command. Her mistake was engaging in a mental debate with the enemy, allowing his suggestions to take root.

In contrast, Jesus’ response to Satan’s temptations in Matthew 4 shows us the right approach. Rather than debating or entertaining the enemy’s lies, Jesus immediately quoted Scripture, shutting down each temptation with God’s truth. His example teaches us to stay focused on God, refuse to negotiate with temptation, and rely on the Word as our ultimate authority.

IDENTIFYING YOUR IDOLS

When chaos overtakes your thought life, it often reveals an underlying idol—something you’ve placed above God. Whether it’s control, security, or approval, the degree of your anxiety reflects the depth of that idolatry. By stepping back and examining what triggers your distress, you can identify these idols and surrender them to God. This process, though lifelong, leads to freedom and peace.

THE POWER OF SPIRITUAL COMMANDS

Scripture provides spiritual commands to counter the enemy’s schemes:

· Blessing: Declaring God’s authority over people or objects brings order to chaos. For example, blessing a vehicle or a situation invites God’s protection and peace.

· Shalom: This Hebrew word, often translated as “peace,” is a spiritual command to restore order where there is disorder. Speaking shalom over a chaotic situation can shift the spiritual atmosphere.

· Forgiveness: Romans 2 reminds us that unforgiveness places us in judgment over others, usurping God’s authority. Forgiving others frees us from this burden and aligns us with God’s grace.

TRUSTING THE PROCESS

The story of Job teaches us to trust God’s process, even when we don’t understand it. Despite unimaginable loss, Job chose to worship rather than curse God. Similarly, when tragedy strikes—whether personal loss or global calamity—we must trust that God is working for a higher purpose. As we fix our eyes on Jesus and immerse ourselves in worship, we gain the strength to stand firm against the enemy’s attacks.

CONCLUSION: VICTORY THROUGH WORSHIP

Demons do not fight fair. They exploit our weaknesses and attack at our lowest moments. But victory is assured through constant, continuous worship and communion with God. By taking every thought captive, putting on the full armor of God, and living a life of worship, we can overcome the enemy’s schemes. As Romans 12:2 reminds us, transformation comes through the renewing of our minds—a lifelong journey of trusting God, wielding His Word, and standing firm in His truth.Let us commit to this battle, not with fear, but with faith, knowing that “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). May we walk in victory, armed with God’s divine weapons and anchored in His unshakable peace.

About the author: Rev. Dr. Nick Marica is the Vice-Chancellor of Amherst Theological Seminary, and he has a D. Min. from Amherst Theological Seminary. He has his MA from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is the author of the book: "The Walk Applied: Living the New Creation Life as a Citizen of God's Kingdom in a Secular World". He has also written "The Fasting and Prayer Handbook". Nick has been married to Kathy since 1985, and they are the proud parents of 3 children.

Contact Nick at nick.marica@srcministry.org

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Web: www.amherstseminary.com