Do you ever feel an overwhelming sense of confusion, doubt, or sadness? Do you struggle with negative thoughts or feel weighed down by worries? These could be signs you are under spiritual attack.
Spiritual warfare is real. As Christians, we have an enemy who wants to steal our joy, kill our faith, and destroy our lives. To have victory, we must recognize his schemes against us.
This article will explore the signs of demonic attacks and give you practical tips for how to respond.
What is a Spiritual Attack?
A spiritual attack is any harassing force from the demonic realm meant to oppose God’s work in your life. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV),
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
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Satan desires to oppress Christians to weaken their faith and derail their destiny.
Spiritual attacks can come in many forms but often manifest through lies, condemnation, confusion, doubt, fear, depression, sickness, and more.
However, do not blame every negative circumstance on spiritual warfare. We live in a fallen world, and trials will come.
Yet sometimes unexplained heaviness or opposition does indicate demonic interference. The key is learning to recognize an attack from the enemy.
8 Signs You Could Be Under Spiritual Assault
Here are the most common signs that you could be under spiritual assault from demonic forces:
1. Confusion and Forgetfulness
The enemy uses confusion to decrease productivity and cloud discernment. You may frequently forget appointments, responsibilities, or conversations.
Your thinking seems foggy, scattered, and disoriented. Everything feels chaotic.
1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV) says,
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints”
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This kind of ongoing confusion does not reflect the nature of God. It can indicate a demonic attack meant to wreak havoc in your mind.
Pray against this confusion in Jesus’ name and ask God for the Spirit of clarity and wisdom.
2. Increased Doubts and Unbelief
The enemy loves to question the goodness of God. Thoughts will flood your mind like, “God doesn’t really care about me. He’s distant and angry with me.”
You may even question the core teachings of Christianity which you strongly believed before.
James 1:7-8 (NKJV) warns that this wavering double-mindedness makes us unstable in all our ways. Don’t believe the lies!
“7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
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Hold fast to the truth and choose to trust God. Rebuke any spirit of doubt in Jesus’ powerful name.
3. Overwhelming Negative Thoughts and Discouragement
Your mind gets bombarded with a spiritual attack of condemnation, self-loathing, anxiety, depression, rage, the judgment of others, and morbid thoughts.
These disturbing thoughts feel like they come out of nowhere and often attack your identity in Christ.
Hopelessness and defeat can signify a “spirit of heaviness” sent to crush your spirit. But God’s given us power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
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2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV) tells us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
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Refuse to dwell on anything unworthy, unholy, or impure. Commit your mind and thoughts to the Lord. Stand on His hope and joy!
4. Sudden Onset of Fatigue and Heaviness
You used to enjoy life and handle responsibilities with relative ease. Now you fight to find motivation. Your energy gets zapped quickly.
It takes great effort just to complete basic tasks. A dark spiritual presence pushes down on you, leaving you lifeless and weary.
Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV) gives the promise that God exchanges our despair for gladness.
“And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.“
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Cry out to Him and ask for strength to lift off this spirit of heaviness. Ask for joy and freedom from the weight.
5. Lack of Motivation and Procrastination
You know you have things to do, but you just can’t seem to care. What used to spark passion now seems worthless.
Projects pile up while you binge on TV shows, social media, and movies for hours on end. You become complacent and apathetic.
Proverbs 6:6-11 (NIV) warns against laziness that leads to poverty. Seek deliverance from this sluggish spirit attacking your motivation. Ask God to revive desire in your heart.
6. Temptation Towards Old Sinful Ways
Addictions and struggles you once had victory over suddenly resurface. The enemy tries to entice you back into your old sins now that your guard is down.
Thoughts of acting out plague your mind day and night. This demonic harassment feels relentless.
Matthew 12:43-45 (NIV) warns that these spirits can return with reinforcements if the house is empty.
43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
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Fill your life with righteous pursuits and a godly community for protection. Flee from temptation and stay far from evil.
7. Nightmares and Disturbing Dreams
Your dreams are full of terrifying images of violence, death, demons, sickness, and more. You wake up anxious and afraid each morning. It leaves you shaken.
The enemy tries to sow fear and false evidence against you while you sleep.
Matthew 13:25 (NKJV) warns about the enemy sowing “tares” while you sleep.
“But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.”
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Rebuke all demonic nightmares in Jesus’ name. Ask God to restore peaceful rest and instruct you through dreams.
8. Sickness and Physical Affliction
Your body suddenly develops mysterious symptoms that doctors can’t diagnose. Pain, fatigue, skin conditions, digestive issues, inflammation, and more plague you.
This continues for a long time without a clear cause. This could indicate a spirit of infirmity at work.
In Luke 13:10-17 (NKJV) Jesus healed a woman who for 18 years had been bound by a spirit of infirmity that left her bent over, unable to stand straight.
Ask Jesus to heal you and drive out any harassment from the demonic realm.
If several of these signs apply to your life don’t ignore them. Take spiritual action through prayer.
The enemy could be mounting an assault against your mind, body, and spirit. But God promises to protect us and give us everything needed to stand firm and experience victory.
5 Practical Ways to Respond When Under Attack
The enemy only has the power you give him. Here’s how to stand firm when under spiritual assault:
1. Pray in the Spirit and Seek Discernment
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
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Ask God to reveal where this attack is coming from. Bind any demonic interference in Jesus’ name.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers and fill you with supernatural wisdom, discernment, strength, and encouragement.
2. Repent of Any Sin
“And do not give the devil a foothold.”
Ephesians 4:27 (NIV)
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Examine your heart for ways you may have given the devil a foothold.
Getting free from spiritual attack often includes confessing and repenting from sinful choices. Eliminate areas of moral compromise that make you vulnerable.
3. Soak Yourself in Scripture
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)
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Combat the fiery arrows of demonic lies with the sword of the Spirit which is God’s Word.
Read Scripture aloud over your mind and circumstances. Let its truth renew your thinking (Romans 12:2).
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
John 17:17 (NIV)
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4. Create a Circle of Prayer Support
You don’t have to fight alone. Share what you’re going through with trusted believers.
Let people pray over you for freedom and wholeness. There is power when two or more agree in prayer (Matthew 18:19 NIV).
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
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5. Take Authority in Jesus’ Name
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
Luke 10:19 (NIV)
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Verbally command anything demonic that’s attacking you to go in Jesus’ name. Break old agreements and renounce evil.
Release blessing and choose to fix your mind on things above (Colossians 3:2). Christ already obtained victory for you through the cross. Boldly enforce it.
Key Takeaways
- Spiritual attacks manifest in ways like confusion, heaviness, tormenting thoughts, oppression, etc. which are meant to discourage believers.
- Learn to recognize signs of demonic assault. This will empower you to fight back more effectively. Hosea 4:6 says, “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”
- Jesus has given His followers victory and authority to overcome every attack of the enemy (Luke 10:19).
- Stay strong by drawing near to God daily. Put on your full spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18), speak scriptures out loud, say prayers of deliverance, praise, and worship.
- God is with you always! Walk in faith, trusting His power and protection in your life.
The truth will set you free from spiritual attack if you let it (John 8:31-32). You have everything you need to walk in victory through Christ.
He desires for you to live an abundant, joy-filled life (John 10:10). Don’t let anything rob, kill, or destroy what God wants to do in and through you. You are victorious!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are spiritual attacks real?
A. Yes, Scripture makes it clear our battles as believers are spiritual ones against demonic entities (Ephesians 6:12) – but in Christ we have the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57)!
Q. What does a spiritual attack feel like?
A. It feels oppressive and overwhelming – not your normal thoughts or struggles. Things like irrational fear and worry, flooding self-accusation, confusion, nightmares, or physical affliction can indicate spiritual warfare.
Q. What does the Bible say about spiritual attack?
Several Scriptures address demonic forces that come against God’s people such as Ephesians 6:12, James 4:7, and 1 Peter 5:8-9.
Yet the Bible also promises we have full power to stand firm when attacked since greater is He in us than anything we battle in this world (1 John 4:4).
Q. Why does God allow spiritual attacks?
A. To build our dependence on Him, to strengthen our faith when we overcome the enemy by His power, to reveal areas we still need to surrender and grow, and to equip us to minister freedom to others.
Q. How do you pray when under spiritual attack?
A. Cry out to God for help and protection. This is essential when you feel oppressed.
Claim Scripture promises about your authority and security in Christ Jesus (Luke 10:19).
Ask others to stand in agreement with you in prayer according to Matthew 18:19 until your breakthrough comes.
Q. How do you protect yourself from spiritual attacks?
A. Walk closely with God daily, put on your full spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:13-18), resist the devil with scripture, prayers of deliverance, praise & worship, repent your sins, etc. God has equipped you to stand firm!
Stay alert against the enemy’s schemes – but keep your eyes on Jesus! His truth and light expose darkness and set us free. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead you to victory every time.
Q. How long do spiritual attacks last?
There’s no formula for how long an attack lasts. It depends on the demons involved, deeper spiritual strongholds, and your responsiveness to apply God’s truth that sets you free.
Persist in prayer and renounce all evil. Victory could come quickly or it could involve a longer process of fighting for your freedom.
