Stealth Spiritual Warfare Against Faith Leaders

Spiritual warfare is rarely dramatic. It is often subtle, especially for ministry leaders. Some of you may need to speak deliverance to someone facing the kind of demonic confrontation described in the Bible; I certainly have. One woman writhed on the floor like a snake, speaking threatening words in a deep voice that clearly did not belong to her. I simply took authority in Jesus’ name, and she was set free. Still, most of the enemy's attacks are far more subtle.

For Faith Leaders, it can start with exhaustion. It’s been a difficult day, a difficult season, maybe even a difficult year. Ministry demands have crowded out time in the Word. Prayer has become rushed. Then an unexpected challenge arises: a bad report from the doctor, a financial setback, a conflict in the church, or a family crisis. At that moment, the enemy begins to whisper:

“The Word used to work for you, but now that you’re a mature believer, you need to figure it out on your own.”

“God was with you before, but you’ve been too busy, distracted, and inconsistent. You’re on your own now.”

You won’t see any outward signs of demonic possession, but if you’re spiritually aware, you’ll sense oppression that turns your passion for the Lord into a lukewarm acknowledgment of Him. Or you might notice you’re trying to accomplish what God called you to do through the flesh rather than the Spirit. Those are signs of a covert attack.

The Enemy’s Goal

The enemy may even remind you of men and women of God who suffered great loss and try to tell you that the same thing will happen to you. He wants you to be discouraged, depressed, intimidated, and silenced. You carry the only thing that can bring him down-the Word of God, spoken in the authority of Jesus’ name and the power of the Holy Ghost.

This is what is at stake in spiritual warfare. The devil wants to shut you up. He believes he will win if he can get enough Faith Leaders to stop doing what God called them to do. Will you continue to trust God and live, speak, and preach His Word, or will you cower in frustration and fear? If he can shift your focus from the Word to fear, circumstances, or your abilities and intellect, he can neutralize your effectiveness against the kingdom of darkness.

Preach it to Yourself

The good news is that the devil has already lost. You are not fighting for victory; you are fighting from victory, Faith Leader. Colossians 2:15 says that when Jesus rose from the dead, He spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. I’d like you to read that from the Amplified Bible: When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through the cross.

Jesus completely defeated and embarrassed the devil! You may have preached this message, but you know there are times when you need it yourself! The enemy’s only strategy is deception. He is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). He uses affliction, persecution, the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things to make you believe you’re about to lose, yet nothing could be further from the truth.

Your Weapons are Greater than the Devil’s

I hope you have a group of men and women who support you in prayer, Faith Leader. Their supply of the Spirit will help, but you will also need to be prepared to wield the weapons God has provided to enforce Jesus’ victory over the devil. He has given you the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). You have the name of Jesus, at which every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth (Philippians 2:10).

One of the most neglected and often misused weapons is the believer’s mouth! Did you know that the word mouth is stoma in Greek, which carries the idea of the edge or opening of a weapon? Whatever you do, don’t turn that weapon on yourself by allowing your words to agree with the devil’s agenda! Instead, use it to praise the Lord and to speak His Word. When you use your stoma to praise, it’s like wielding two weapons at once. Psalm 149 describes your high praises as a two-edged sword that silences the enemy!

Regardless of your level of leadership, you’re never immune to spiritual warfare, especially the stealthy, hidden kind. At the same time, you’re never the underdog. You are already victorious in Christ. However, you must remain mindful of your spiritual health, remind yourself that the devil is a liar, that Jesus has already defeated him, and that you must enforce that victory by exercising faith in God’s Word and speaking it with your stoma.