The signs of spiritual warfare

[Blain]

I had been in a discussion with someone who claimed they were under spiritual attacks I asked them why they thought that but everything they told me could be easily written off as life just happens kind of things. many claim to be under spiritual attacks when it is really just their own doing or how life just happens many also have actually had to deal with warfare and anyone who knows actually warfare will tell you it is not the same as life just kicking you in your rear.

So I was wondering from your own perspective or perhaps experience what are the signs to look out for to know if your undergoing actual spiritual attacks?

 

[jacko]

I wonder if this sometimes myself. I’ve been having these sexual dreams with different women, fornicating and doing things I shouldn’t be doing, but again it’s in my dream.. Here’s the thing, even in my dream I know I shouldn’t be doing it, but for some reason in my dream, I still do it.. it’s like the spirit of Jezebel attacking me, or it’s just my mind and human nature to be lustful.

 

[Blain]

I wonder if this sometimes myself. I’ve been having these sexual dreams with different women, fornicating and doing things I shouldn’t be doing, but again it’s in my dream.. Here’s the thing, even in my dream I know I shouldn’t be doing it, but for some reason in my dream, I still do it.. it’s like the spirit of Jezebel attacking me, or it’s just my mind and human nature to be lustful.

from what it sounds like yes you are dealing with a spiritual matter not only are you self aware in this dream but it sounds to me like it isn't your normal type of thinking
Are you by chance in a dark place in this dream? or do you even remember the place you were at in this dream?

Whenever I am being attacked normally it is in this pure dark place this is where satan appeared to me telling me I am not strong enough this is where a demon held me down this is where shadow people have appeared to me as well.

 

[keepingthingsreal]

So I was wondering from your own perspective or perhaps experience what are the signs to look out for to know if your undergoing actual spiritual attacks?

That's a good question. The first thing that comes to my mind is what Jesus said here.

Luk 14:31
Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Luk 14:32
Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

In the immediate context of talking about the cost of discipleship (Yes, Virginia, there is a cost of discipleship), Jesus likened it to one king making war against another king. In other words, if we truly become Christ's disciples, then spiritual warfare in unavoidable. For this reason, Jesus said that we ought to count this cost before becoming one of his disciples. What happens if we do not count this cost first? Well, according to Jesus, we run the risk of sending out an ambassage, while the other king is yet a great way off, and while desiring conditions of peace with him. In other words, we run the risk of dropping out of the very real spiritual war by making a pact with Satan.

For those of us who do truly become Jesus' disciples, we need to don our spiritual armor every day. Why? Because the very real spiritual war will be raging every day of our lives, and we need to be equipped with spiritual armor and weaponry in order to be victorious in battle.

With these things in mind, I believe that we are always engaged in spiritual warfare to some degree or another...unless we foolishly or cowardly drop out of the war.

 

[keepingthingsreal]

I wonder if this sometimes myself. I’ve been having these sexual dreams with different women, fornicating and doing things I shouldn’t be doing, but again it’s in my dream.. Here’s the thing, even in my dream I know I shouldn’t be doing it, but for some reason in my dream, I still do it.. it’s like the spirit of Jezebel attacking me, or it’s just my mind and human nature to be lustful.

If I recall correctly, you recently mentioned on another thread that you turned to porn for a season when you were mad at God. That is probably what gave place to whatever thoughts or spirits that are currently plaguing your dreams. If you have not done so already, then confess that sin before God, and ask him to purge your conscience from those demonic thoughts in the blood of Christ. I used to have dreams like that all the time in the past myself, but I have not had one for quite some time now.

 

[Blain]

If I recall correctly, you recently mentioned on another thread that you turned to porn for a season when you were mad at God. That is probably what gave place to whatever thoughts or spirits that are currently plaguing your dreams. If you have not done so already, then confess that sin before God, and ask him to purge your conscience from those demonic thoughts in the blood of Christ. I used to have dreams like that all the time in the past myself, but I have not had one for quite some time now.

Well it would make sense after all once you open a door is opened and you allow sin in especially out of spite then you give permission for torment but on the other hand if they are turning away from their sin likewise these dreams could come in the form of temptation the enemy wants them to go back to secual sin

 

[keepingthingsreal]

Well it would make sense after all once you open a door is opened and you allow sin in especially out of spite then you give permission for torment but on the other hand if they are turning away from their sin likewise these dreams could come in the form of temptation the enemy wants them to go back to secual sin

It could be either or, but it is best to shut the door by confession (to God), repentance, and the cleansing of the blood of Jesus.

 

[Blain]

That's a good question. The first thing that comes to my mind is what Jesus said here.

Luk 14:31
Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Luk 14:32
Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

In the immediate context of talking about the cost of discipleship (Yes, Virginia, there is a cost of discipleship), Jesus likened it to one king making war against another king. In other words, if we truly become Christ's disciples, then spiritual warfare in unavoidable. For this reason, Jesus said that we ought to count this cost before becoming one of his disciples. What happens if we do not count this cost first? Well, according to Jesus, we run the risk of sending out an ambassage, while the other king is yet a great way off, and while desiring conditions of peace with him. In other words, we run the risk of dropping out of the very real spiritual war by making a pact with Satan.

For those of us who do truly become Jesus' disciples, we need to don our spiritual armor every day. Why? Because the very real spiritual war will be raging every day of our lives, and we need to be equipped with spiritual armor and weaponry in order to be victorious in battle.

With these things in mind, I believe that we are always engaged in spiritual warfare to some degree or another...unless we foolishly or cowardly drop out of the war.

Right we all are in warfare everyday to some degree but how many I wonder actually consider this to be an every day thing?
The way people talk about it they usually mean a thing that doesn't normally happen or rather that it is heavier than normal while some overhype it calling anything a spiritual attack

The signs to look for I suppose for an actual attack would likely be are you living in a Godly way? because while yes sin opens us up to attacks the real heavy hitters are usually if you are being a threat to the enemy.

 

[Blain]

It could be either or, but it is best to shut the door by confession (to God), repentance, and the cleansing of the blood of Jesus.

indeed if at first you are not sure then repenting of anything you might have done to let yourself open to such things is a sure fire way to be free from the torment but if that doesn't work then you must be under attack simply because you are being a threat to the enemy and if this is the case then one thing to know and understand and I mean really understand is that we have authority in Christ if you command the attacker to be silent and go back to hell in Jesus name and truly standing against them as if you have the upper hand because you do they have no choice but to listen

 

[keepingthingsreal]

The signs to look for I suppose for an actual attack would likely be are you living in a Godly way? because while yes sin opens us up to attacks the real heavy hitters are usually if you are being a threat to the enemy.

I agree. When I am on fire for God, the attacks definitely increase. If/when I cool down a bit, the attacks definitely subside.

Of course, on the other hand, if/when I do cool down a bit, then the conviction of the Holy Spirit increases.

One way or another, I am always in contact with the spirit realm...whether while battling demonic spirits, or whether in dealings with the Spirit of God.

 

[Blain]

I agree. When I am on fire for God, the attacks definitely increase. If/when I cool down a bit, the attacks definitely subside.

Of course, on the other hand, if/when I do cool down a bit, then the conviction of the Holy Spirit increases.

One way or another, I am always in contact with the spirit realm...whether while battling demonic spirits, or whether in dealings with the Spirit of God.

I like that you are so intuned and aware of the spiritual war because honestly I wish more people were I mean just every day we are on this forum we are at war with the spirits or being used by either God or the enemy but not many consider this

There are spirits active even online and I don't know how well equipped many are to battle such things they would have to become aware of it first

 

[keepingthingsreal]

indeed if at first you are not sure then repenting of anything you might have done to let yourself open to such things is a sure fire way to be free from the torment but if that doesn't work then you must be under attack simply because you are being a threat to the enemy and if this is the case then one thing to know and understand and I mean really understand is that we have authority in Christ if you command the attacker to be silent and go back to hell in Jesus name and truly standing against them as if you have the upper hand because you do they have no choice but to listen

I definitely believe in the authority that a believer has in Jesus' name, but I do not agree that we send demonic spirits "back to hell." They are not in hell now, unless someone is talking about a specific subset of fallen angels who are currently in chains.

 

[keepingthingsreal]

I like that you are so intuned and aware of the spiritual war because honestly I wish more people were I mean just every day we are on this forum we are at war with the spirits or being used by either God or the enemy but not many consider this

There are spirits active even online and I don't know how well equipped many are to battle such things they would have to become aware of it first

I am laughing as I read this because my initial post contained something about the very real spiritual warfare we encounter online, but I removed that part of my post before hitting "post reply."

 

[Omegatime]

Satan does his best work when you are the weakest--when you are sleeping

 

[keepingthingsreal]

Btw, nobody told me about the very real spiritual war that I was heading into when I first got saved. I mean, when I got saved...well, you have probably heard the expression "All hell broke loose"...that is precisely what happened to me. I was totally caught off guard, and I had to learn about the battle, and how to fight and be victorious in it, while I was already engaged in it. I am much better equipped for it now, and I know that it is very real.

 

[keepingthingsreal]

Satan does his best work when you are the weakest--when you are sleeping

I used to always get attacked in my dreams while sleeping. I started praying certain verses pertaining to sleep before I went to bed at night, and the attacks stopped. This is one portion of scripture that I used to pray.

Pro 6:20
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Pro 6:21
Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
Pro 6:22
When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

In other words, I used to pray for God's commandments to not only keep me while I was sleeping, but to also talk with me when I awoke.

There are several other portions of scripture that I used to pray as well. Here is another one that comes to mind.

Pro 3:21
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
Pro 3:22
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
Pro 3:23
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Pro 3:24
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

As long as I met the condition of keeping sound wisdom and discretion, I truly was not afraid when I slept, and my sleep was sweet. I used to have a lot of nightmares, and praying this, while also confessing and repenting of all of the horror movies I used to watch, put an end to them.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

I had been in a discussion with someone who claimed they were under spiritual attacks I asked them why they thought that but everything they told me could be easily written off as life just happens kind of things. many claim to be under spiritual attacks when it is really just their own doing or how life just happens many also have actually had to deal with warfare and anyone who knows actually warfare will tell you it is not the same as life just kicking you in your rear.

So I was wondering from your own perspective or perhaps experience what are the signs to look out for to know if you’re undergoing actual spiritual attacks?

thoughts that arent of God

 

[Blain]

I am laughing as I read this because my initial post contained something about the very real spiritual warfare we encounter online, but I removed that part of my post before hitting "post reply."

See? just talking about this discussion and already it is happening that is either ironic or just flat out funny

 

[homwardbound]

I had been in a discussion with someone who claimed they were under spiritual attacks I asked them why they thought that but everything they told me could be easily written off as life just happens kind of things. many claim to be under spiritual attacks when it is really just their own doing or how life just happens many also have actually had to deal with warfare and anyone who knows actually warfare will tell you it is not the same as life just kicking you in your rear.

So I was wondering from your own perspective or perhaps experience what are the signs to look out for to know if your undergoing actual spiritual attacks?

Spiritual warfare is real,
it is not of flesh and blood, the warfare Ephesians 6
Put on the whole armor of God in risen Son. When going through it, might be best to say to God Thank you, for thinking so much about me, Thank you for trusting me to stay with you Father and Son and not deny you ever. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lord Thank you
seeing the book of Job, God says to satan, first Chapter. See my servant Job, He is doing well.
What does Satan say, no wonder, look at that hedge you have around him, no wonder he praises you.
take that away and I bet he will curse you.
Then the book of Job takes off. And I see Job does not ever deny God. then I see the last chapter and see it is worth it to not deny God, anyone else?
Again, attacked, thank you as Evil does not ever attack its own
Thank God, you and God are won with Son who won for us to be new in love to all. Yes this includes those that hate us and those we might should hate, yet do not hate
God loves us all y'all that is what overcomes evil PRAISE
P-ractice
R-eality
A-fter
I-nstalled
S-alvation
E-ternally

For us to stand in belief to this love and mercy given us first. That casts out all fear
thank you Father and Son as Won (One) for me and everyone else too at that cross, where it began in reconciliation to all
then the risen Life where new life is a gift to be in and not afraid ever again

woe is me, Isaiah 6:1-7

 

[Gideon300]

I had been in a discussion with someone who claimed they were under spiritual attacks I asked them why they thought that but everything they told me could be easily written off as life just happens kind of things. many claim to be under spiritual attacks when it is really just their own doing or how life just happens many also have actually had to deal with warfare and anyone who knows actually warfare will tell you it is not the same as life just kicking you in your rear.

So I was wondering from your own perspective or perhaps experience what are the signs to look out for to know if your undergoing actual spiritual attacks?

Satan is the god of this world. He is our enemy as well as God's. We may think that we have to struggle with aggressive co-workers or bosses. That may be true, but there may well be something behind that. This is especially true if the believer is singled out for special and unwelcome attention.

You will recall when Peter tried to dissuade Jesus from going to Jerusalem to be crucified. Jesus rebuked him but first He said, "Get behind me, Satan".

Any thought that we have that we did not choose to think is from an evil spirit. That includes lust thoughts, daydreaming and vengeful thoughts. Many people find their minds unable to function at all at times. That is a sign of a mind being taken over by evil spirits. Terrible memory? Is that how you used to be? It's likely to be the oppression of an evil spirit that is robbing you of your memory.

Why is it so hard to pray? Why do many Christians struggle to study God's word? Maybe it is just us. But Satan hates prayer and he hates to see us studying God's word. He hates the truth that can set us free.

We need discernment. Christians are inclined either to give too much credit to the devil or not be aware of Satan's works.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

…For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.… 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5