How to battle spiritually: advice for Christians

Be rooted. Be guarded. Be disciplined. Battle.
 
Have you ever wondered how to actually go about battling something spiritually? We’ve all heard people talk about being in battle or having something they struggle with that they’re trying to overcome. A battle is more than a struggle. A battle is a strategy to be victorious over the enemy.

Be rooted.

Know truth. If you don’t know truth from falsehood, you’re going to be fighting in a fog with no solid sense of direction. Read your bible.

Psalm 119:105 (NASB)
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

Be consuming the Word of God. How often are you reading your bible? Has it been a couple of weeks or even a couple of months? This is your spiritual nutrition. Are you well-nourished in your bible study?

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NASB)
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. You shall also tie them as a sign to your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead. You shall also write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Pray. How often are you talking to God? Daily? Only when you need something? Like any relationship, no communication isn’t much of a relationship. Are you spending time with the Lord? Are you listening? Do you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you? Can you find a moment? If you’re too busy to pray, you’re too busy. Reorder your priorities. Even if your prayer time in the morning is turning off your radio on your drive to work and using that time to talk to God, you can make time for Jesus. Have a routine if you need to. In the moment that you’re struggling, you need to step aside from everything and start praying.

Colossians 4:2 (NASB)
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Attend and connect to a truth preaching church. Going to church is necessary for spiritual maintenance. It nourishes us. It grows us. It guides us. And we need the fellowship.

Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Have ministers in your life. We all need people to guide us and teach us and pour wisdom into us. You need to have a pastor you can talk to. You need to find preachers that speak truth and life to your spirit. You need people that can show you the way.

Ephesians 4:11-15 (NIV)
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Be of sound mind. Your mindset determines what and how you think. What kind of thoughts rule your mind? Is it fear? It is worry? Anxiety? Depression? Despair? Or is it trust, faith, victory, praise?

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Train your mind to think on the things of God and speak faith. What are you focused on? It is natural to worry and fear and be negative. We have to train ourselves to think with faith. We have to redirect our thoughts to be focused on the things of God. Speaking faith is a habit that must be practiced.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Listen to testimonies. Know what God can do. Sometimes we overcome battles because we know if he did it for them he can do it for us too. If you have a testimony, share it because somebody out there needs it.

Revelation 12:11 (NASB)
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

We need fellowship. Our friendships in the church and with our brothers and sisters in Christ can hold us afloat when we are struggling.

Acts 2:42 (LSB)
And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.

Be guarded.

Know that the devil is prowling around like a predator looking for who he can devour. You are not exempt from temptation. Know that these temptations will come and we have a way to overcome.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Know what is sin. It is important that you’re paying attention when the bible calls something a sin and it is important that you choose a church that isn’t afraid to preach what is right and what is wrong.

2 Timothy 2:19 (NIV)
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

Also know your own weaknesses. We all have things that are a problem area for us. Be especially guarded against your own weaknesses. Use the scriptures on that topic as tools to keep your mind on the right track. Write down the verses that help you resist the temptation and stay strong in your conviction.

Psalm 119:133 (NIV)
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.

Know what pulls you away. Addictions of all kinds are spiritually destructive. Idols pull you away from God. Maybe it’s simply being too tired to go to church. Maybe it’s a hurt. We each have our things that we know pull us away from God. What is that for you?

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Know what is righteousness. Are you striving to live like Jesus? Are you striving to live in a holy manner?

Romans 6:11-23 (NIV)
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Watch where you step. Don’t tempt yourself. Guard your thoughts against the temptations of the flesh. Stay away from the things of darkness.

Romans 13:12-14 (NASB)
The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let’s rid ourselves of the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let’s behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Be diligent in filtering your entertainment. What you feed your mind with is powerful. Be very careful with the entertainment you consume. The media industry is highly influential over thoughts and lifestyles. Social media can be great, but it can also be unhealthy. If it’s a sin to do, it’s a sin to entertain yourself with it. Turn off that television. Go through what you subscribe to on social media. What are you feeding your mind with what you view?

2 Peter 1:3-6 (KJV)
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

Guard your heart. Be diligent in guarding what your heart desires after.

Proverbs 4:23 (NET)
Guard your heart with all vigilance,
for from it are the sources of life.

Be connected to believers that will cover you in prayer. It is a powerful thing when brothers and sisters in Christ lift each other up in prayer. We can battle for each other too in intercessory prayer. A friend that prays for you is a good friend. 

Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Put on the full armor of God. This allows us to stand against the attacks of the enemy.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NASB)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints,

Be disciplined.

Resist sin. You can’t overcome sin if you invite it in. Self-discipline is a big part of walking the narrow path. Refuse to indulge in what is destructive to your soul. 

1 Thessalonians 5:22-24 (NIV)
reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Do not let your mind linger in temptation. Thoughts become actions. You can’t stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can stop it from building a nest in your hair. You don’t have to linger in thoughts of temptation. Learn how to discipline your thoughts.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB)
We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

Repent regularly. Repentance is a necessary cleansing. None of us are perfect. If you refuse to let go of and turn from what you are battling to overcome, it will consume you.

1 John 1:8-10 (NIV)
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Surrender the sinful desires of the flesh at the foot of the cross. Lay it down. If you’re hanging onto something that’s destroying your spirit, you’re going to stay in that battle because you’re gripping the poison that slays you.

1 Peter 1:14-16 (NASB)
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Have your mind made up to live for the Lord. That means denying the sinful desires of the flesh. That means sacrificing what is pleasurable for a season if it’s harmful to you spiritually. That means boundaries and keeping yourself on the track of righteousness.

Romans 8:5-9 (NASB)
For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Surround yourself with people who keep you on the path of living for Jesus. Go to church. Fellowship with other believers. Iron sharpens iron. Be a student. Be a mentor. Be at the prayer meetings. If you have people you’ve been spending time with or talking to that are negatively impacting you spiritually, consider pruning your social circle if you need to.  And if you’re tempted to fill your time with sin that decays, instead spend that time serving others and plant seeds to grow the kingdom.

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Be steadfast in your firm foundation. Stay rooted. We plant our feet on solid ground. Our faith should not be unsteady or easily swayed. We need to be firm in the foundation of our faith.

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Remember you are called to be set apart. We are God’s holy people. We are called to live holy. Discipline yourself to maintain your separateness from the world of sin. 

2 Corinthians 6:17 (NASB)
Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.

 
Live a lifestyle of holiness. We are called to live holy.

Leviticus 20:26 (WEB)
You shall be holy to me, for I, Yahweh, am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that you should be mine.

Train/exercise yourself for godliness. The more you exercise the more strength you build up. Train for this lifestyle.

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ASV)
but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.

Worship consistently. The more we worship the more we fix our eyes on truth and righteousness. We drown out the sound of the enemy when we lift our voices to worship Jesus. Worship breaks chains. Worship overcomes. Worship leads to victory. Worship God and he will move in your situation. 

Acts 16:25-26 (ASV)
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened; and every one’s bands were loosed.

Fast. Fasting is not optional. It is expected. It is needed.

Matthew 17:21 (KJV)
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Abstain from distractions and dedicate time for God. We get so busy. We get distracted every few minutes from whatever we’re trying to do. We have our cell phones in our hand and a to-do list a mile long. Even when we intend to do bible study or have prayer time or look into that topic that’s been weighing on our mind, we get distracted. We need to be intentional with making time for God. Block off time for your spiritual wellbeing. 

Luke 21:34 (NASB)
“But be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that this day will not come on you suddenly, like a trap;

Submit yourself to God. We yield to God’s will. Not our will, but his.

James 4:7 (KJV)
Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Battle.

What are we supposed to do when the fire gets hot? When it really feels like the enemy is winning, the devil is holding you in bondage, your mind is tormented, sin decays you, temptation consumes you, the fiery darts are coming against you… how do we actually go about battling?
 
Here are some things that I have learned to do, and I see it make a difference.
 
Address your sin and repent of it. If you’re not repenting, don’t expect the Lord to fix your problems. You’re hanging on to sin and it’s going to keep destroying you.
 
Surrender your sinful desires. You need to be willing to lay it down. What do you want to follow after? You can’t follow Jesus and sin at the same time.
 
Pray on it, over it, and through it. You should be praying about it often. What are you battling? Are you talking to God about it?
 
Examine any areas that are welcoming in sin, temptation, or the attacks of the enemy. Let’s say you find yourself thinking lustfully when you usually don’t have that problem. What has changed? Are you watching something on television or the internet that is leading your mind that way? Are you listening to music that has your mind fixated on that? Look at your entertainment. Look at what influences you. It could be a good friend who is genuinely a good person but doesn’t share your faith values.
 
Do a maintenance check on your spiritual well-being. How’s your walk with the Lord going? How is your prayer life? How is your bible study time? How is church going? Are you going? Are you regularly attending a good church? What are your strong points? What are your weak areas?
 
Worship your way through the battle. This makes more of a difference than you may realize. Keep living for God. Show up to church. Actually sing. Worship during the service. Worship at home. Listen to worship music often. Go up to the altar. Stay dedicated. Cry out to Him.
 
Read your bible more. The more you struggle spiritually, the more you should open your bible. Are you reading daily? If you’re not consuming the word of God, you make an easy target for the enemy to lure you away or mess with your mind. Set a routine to have time in the bible. Follow a schedule. I’ve done a schedule to read the New Testament in 40 days a few times when I feel like I’m in a spiritual desert. It always makes a difference. Take time to nourish your spirit with bible study.
 
Go to church more. We have a tendency to not want to go to church when we are struggling. That may be because of judgment. It may be because we are overwhelmed. It may be depression or anxiety. We need to push through and show up anyway.
 
Go to prayer meetings more. If you’re struggling, try going to a prayer meeting.
 
Praise God. Your words make a difference. Your mindset is half the battle. Refuse to speak against God. Refuse to say that God isn’t going to help you or isn’t going to fix the problem in time. Get up and praise Him. Thank him for what he’s doing even when you can’t see it. Give him the glory. Speak faith. Speak victory. We may not always feel excited or optimistic, but faith is not based in feelings. Praise his name.
 
Know your authority in the name of Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus. We do have authority spiritually. Tear down strongholds in the name of Jesus.
 
Rebuke spirits and the attacks of the enemy. If you haven’t learned how to rebuke things, you’re going to suffer with things you can cast off. Rebuke that spirit of depression. Rebuke that sickness. Rebuke that attack.
 
Have Spirit-filled people pray with you. Oftentimes, we isolate when we struggle. We don’t want to tell people who will gossip or look down on us for struggling. We don’t want to admit we aren’t always walking on the mountaintop. Find a few friends who will pray with you.
 
Carry on. You need to be determined to carry on in the faith no matter what. Keep living for Jesus no matter what. Keep walking the walk no matter what. Even if the prayer requests don’t get answered…. Even if you/they aren’t healed… Even if destruction comes…. Even if everything falls apart… Even if you don’t have the gas money to get to church… Even if you suffer… carry on.

In review

Be rooted.

• Know truth.
• Be consuming the Word of God.
• Pray.
• Attend and connect to a truth-preaching church.
• Have ministers in your life.
• Be of sound mind.
• Train your mind to think on the things of God and speak faith.
• Listen to testimonies.
• We need fellowship.  

Be guarded.

• Know that the devil is prowling.
• Know what sin is.
• Also know your weaknesses.
• Know what pulls you away.
• Know what is righteousness.
• Watch where you step.     
• Be diligent in filtering your entertainment.
• Guard your heart.
• Be connected to believers who will cover you in prayer.
• Put on the full armor of God.

Be disciplined.

• Resist sin.
• Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
• Repent regularly.  
• Surrender your sinful desires.
• Have your mind made up to live for the Lord.
• Surround yourself with people who keep you on the path of living for Jesus.
• Be steadfast in your firm foundation. Stay rooted.
• Remember you are called to be set apart.
• Live a lifestyle of holiness.
• Train/exercise yourself for godliness.
• Worship consistently.  
• Fast.
• Abstain from distractions and dedicate time for God.
• Submit yourself to God

Battle.

• Address your sin and repent of it.
• Surrender your sinful desires.
• Pray on it, over it, and through it.
• Examine any areas that are welcoming in sin, temptation, or the attacks of the enemy.
• Do a maintenance check on your spiritual well-being.
• Worship your way through the battle.
• Read your bible more.
• Go to church more.
• Go to prayer meetings more.
• Praise God.
• Know your authority in the name of Jesus.
• Rebuke spirits and the attacks of the enemy.
• Have Spirit-filled people pray with you.
• Carry on.

 

What is your battle strategy? Do you have one?