What Spiritual Warfare Is Not!

Standing Firm in the Victory of Jesus

Listen, friend, when you hear “spiritual warfare,” what comes to mind?

Something frightening? A dramatic confrontation? Or perhaps something you would rather leave alone because you don’t quite understand it?

In this second Coffee Chats conversation with my friend Leighann McCoy, we talked about what spiritual warfare is not. And, girl, this matters! What we believe about the battle affects how we live, how we love people, and how we trust the Lord.

We have a real enemy. But we also have a victorious Savior. We need to understand both while keeping our eyes firmly on Jesus.

1. Spiritual warfare is not a war against people.

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood.

That person who hurt your feelings? That church member who questioned your decision? That family member who disagrees with you? They are people to love, even when you need difficult conversations and boundaries.

Sometimes conflict exposes something in our own hearts that needs attention. Sometimes it allows us to practice forgiveness or pursue reconciliation.

When we answer hurt with hurt, we add to the chaos. Ask the Lord to help you see the person through His eyes and respond in a way that honors Him.

2. Spiritual warfare is not fighting to secure a victory Jesus hasn’t won.

We fight from Christ’s victory.

God and Satan are not equally powerful opponents waiting to see who wins. Satan is a created being. God is the Creator, and Jesus has triumphed through His death and resurrection.

Ephesians 2:6 reminds us that, because we belong to Christ, we have been raised with Him and seated with Him in the heavenly realms.

That truth gives us confidence. It also calls us to humility. Our strength comes from the Lord, and Ephesians 6:10–18 calls us to depend on Him, put on His armor, and stand firm.

3. Spiritual warfare is not seeing a demon behind every difficulty.

Leighann reminded us that we contend with the world, our flesh, and the devil. We need discernment about all three.

Sometimes we are experiencing the heartache of living in a broken world. Sometimes we are facing the consequences of our own choices. Sometimes we need to confess sin, get some rest, keep an appointment, or ask for help.

Blaming Satan for everything can keep us from taking responsibility for what belongs to us.

We can acknowledge spiritual opposition while honestly asking, “Lord, what do You want me to address in my own life?”

4. Spiritual warfare is not a formula or a collection of magic words.

Wouldn’t we sometimes love a checklist? Say these words, follow these steps, and the struggle disappears!

But our confidence rests in Jesus, not in finding the perfect phrase.

James 4:7 calls us to submit to God and resist the devil. Pay attention to that first instruction: submit to God.

We grow as we surrender our will, believe His Word, confess our sin, and learn to trust Him. As Leighann emphasized in our conversation, spiritual warfare involves discipleship. It means following Jesus with our whole lives.

5. Spiritual warfare is not measured by volume or theatrics.

We do not have to work ourselves into a frenzy to demonstrate faith.

Jude 9 points us toward the Lord’s authority rather than our own bravado. A quiet heart has strength when it knows where its help comes from.

Friend, you can pray with confidence because the One who hears you is faithful. Your security rests in Him.

6. Spiritual warfare is not a solo mission.

Ministry wife, please hear me: you need people who will pray with you.

We were created for fellowship with God and with one another. Yet how often do we hide our struggles because we think we should already have everything together?

Let a trustworthy believer know where you are hurting. Receive encouragement. Pray together. Allow the body of Christ to come alongside you.

You do not have to pretend to be strong to be loved.

7. Spiritual warfare is not always extraordinary.

Often, faithfulness looks very ordinary.

It looks like taking a thought captive and bringing it into obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3–5). It looks like choosing truth, extending forgiveness, opening your Bible, and obeying the Lord when no one is watching.

These daily choices matter.

I cannot change all the darkness in this world. But I can be faithful with the light God has entrusted to me. So can you.

One prayer. One act of obedience. One conversation that points someone to Jesus.

Father, help us recognize the battle without letting fear consume us. Keep our eyes on Jesus. Teach us to walk in truth, love people well, and stand firm in Your strength. Help us pray faithfully, put on the armor you have provided through your Word, and walk faithfully, interceding for those in the world who are fighting the same battle. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.