Recognizing Subtle Attacks of the Enemy

Subtle attacks of the enemy are the ones we miss most easily, and they often do the most damage because they erode confidence quietly over time; slowly, silently and often unnoticed until something collapses.  These attacks aim at either your faith or your identity. 

These subtle attacks are not signs of weakness - they are signs of spiritual value.  The enemy attacks what threatens him.  Recognizing these attacks is not fear-based; it is wisdom-based.  Wisdom is one of the greatest protections God gives His people.

Biblical wisdom is the God-given ability to live rightly - applying divine truth to real life with moral discernment, humility, and obedience and is rooted in reverent relationship with God and fully revealed in Jesus Christ.

Subtle attacks show up as quiet distortions, small compromises, lingering doubts, emotional nudges, identity confusion, and misaligned desires.  When we are living out our faith every day and we do not let outside influences come between us and God's desires for us, we can fight the good fight and deflect the attacks.  It's when we let the noise of the world in that we become a target for these small compromises.

How do we recognize these attacks?  We pay attention to what we are feeling.  Are you experiencing insecurity, fear, discouragement, temptation, anger, or discontent?  These could be signs that the enemy is subtly attacking. 

We need to evaluate the fruit that we are producing in our lives.  Ask:

• Is this thought producing peace or anxiety?

• Is this desire producing obedience or compromise?

• Is this feeling producing clarity or confusion?

If your thoughts, desires, and feelings are producing negative results; change the narrative.

You may be asking what do you mean by change the narrative and how do I do that?  Interrupt the process and do the following:

• Name the attack - Clarity brings power

• Replace the lie with truth - God's truth

• Reaffirm your identity - Speak what God has said about you; recite Scripture

• Recommit to God - Worship, prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers

• Check your thoughts - Think about the things of God, the good things in your life, count your blessings

• Check your feelings - Change your focus.  Interrupt the emotional spiral.

  • Do you like to dance - then dance

  • Do you like to sing - then sing 

  • Pause before reacting to a situation - Step away and breath

  • Name what you are feeling - Take away the negative feeling's power

  • Pray, pray, and pray some more - Prayer can change our mood

Pausing interrupts the emotional surge; while naming the feeling reduces its power.  When we stop and breath we ground ourselves.  When we pray we connect with God and give Him the power.

A simple prayer may be: "Lord, meet me in this moment.  Calm my heart, clear my mind, help me to breath, steady my emotions.  Show me Lord if this is an attack.  Protect me from the enemy - my mind, heart, and spirit.  In your name, Lord Jesus.  Amen"