It looms as the ever-present enemy of those who have chosen to be faithful to God. It’s a dart flung at the most unexpected of times. It’s the prowling lion looking to devour when we’re down. For some it appears as the deepest discouragement. For others it’s a crippling fear. And it can even come through the “ecstasy” of pride.
Spiritual attack doesn’t just happen as an inside job. It also becomes apparent in our relationships. Whenever we’re in a vigorous argument with our partner or one of our children or a parent, there’s a good chance that the enemy of God is absolutely delighted. The moment we stop our harsh words and just look at each other with eyes that say, “Do you see what’s happening here?” is the moment we SEE the enemy and rise above that wily scheme that’s a trap of deceit.
The moment two people see what’s REALLY happening amid their conflict they can embrace knowing the issue isn’t about the issue.
There is a deeper, hidden, insidious force attempting to derail what would otherwise work beautifully. Just how often do we argue over insignificant issues?
But what this article is about is the massive intrapersonal attack that climbs inside our spirit and wreaks havoc.
The number one weapon against a spiritual attack propagated by discouragement or fear is a gratitude targeted with passionate precision on a seemingly finite object.
Spiritual attack targets the heart through confusion of mind. The enemy works via confusion. God works via peace.
Bring the mind to centre on a point that is indelibly good, bring in action that speaks gratitude into a behaviour, and before we know it, we find we’ve activated purpose that manifests in joy.
Spiritual attack is the battle of the mind through a heart that feels crushed.
If we focus our mind on ONE THING that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—anything that is excellent or praiseworthy—and we “think on these things”—the God of PEACE will be with us. (Philippians 4:8-9)
The flailing heart is rescued the moment the mind is made safe and secure again.
A case on point. On a recent sojourn into dejection I simply heard my wife reading to my son. It was her voice I centred on for some reason. Instead of lazing about, I got to work on the dishes as she read the story, and, as I worked away focusing on her sweet, loving voice, within ten minutes the inbound spiritual attack had been transformed into a victory of praise.
I had overcome the attack through gratitude.
So profoundly simple!
Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash
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