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Warning! Be Alert to 3 Types of Demonic Attacks

Has anyone ever told you that you need to become alert to 3 different types of demonic attacks? Really—there is a predator on the loose and he wants to destroy your life. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). This predator is supernatural, difficult to recognize, and he doesn’t work alone (see Ephesians 6:12).

Demonic forces provoke and pressure us into wrong ways of thinking or acting. We feel “driven”. These attacks are often hard to identify because we are so used to them. We often believe that they are our own thoughts or just a part of everyday life.

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11 KJ). The word “devices” used here can be translated as “mind devices” from the Greek—giving us a word picture of how the enemy of our souls attempts to attack us—through our thoughts and emotions.

Most people are ignorant of the devices used by the predator. Satan’s goal is to manipulate our free will so that we will act according to his dictates and become his slaves (2 Peter 2:19). He aims most of his attacks at our thoughts and emotions, which then motivate our will, or decision making ability, in a wrong direction.

Be Alert to 3 Types of Demonic Attacks

Learning to recognize the 3 different types of demonic attacks can help you avoid becoming predator fodder.

Attack of Resistance

Sometimes we feel resistance because we deserve it—we’re trampling on other people or being stupid in our actions. But when resistance comes because of a God assignment in our lives it may indicate something other than immaturity. The goal of a resistance attack is mental, emotional, and physical discouragement. Check out the following stories to see what I’m talking about:

  1. Daniel is resisted by people in his God given assignment (Daniel 6).
  2. Daniel is resisted by demonic powers (Daniel 10:11-13).
  3. Paul is resisted in his ministry by Satan (1 Thessalonians 2:18).

Ask God to reveal who or what is causing the “road block” you are facing. Both Daniel and Paul knew who was causing their road blocks. These men of God could identify what they were up against.

Attack of Temptation

In James 1:14-16 we are given the pattern that temptation follows:“But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.”

Learn how this pattern works in your own life:

  1. What happened in your thinking that led to wrong actions?
  2. What feelings arose within that prompted your choices?
  3. How did the sin grow once you had given in to the temptation?

Do you see a pattern?

Attack of Flaming Arrows

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). Like temptation, arrows are aimed at our thoughts and emotions. If demons can capture our mind or feelings, they can then direct our actions.

To resist a flaming arrow, learn to tune into your thoughts and feelings:

  1. What are you feeling or thinking? Identify the “arrow.”
  2. Why are you feeling or thinking this? Learn the cause of the arrow. What is the enemy trying to stir up in you?
  3. Is your initial reaction godly or ungodly? Wrong reactions signal that you have accepted, rather than rejected, a flaming arrow.

Pulled any flaming arrows out lately?

What has been your experience with these 3 types of demonic attacks? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

(For lots more detailed information on the demonic realm and spiritual warfare, check out Intercessors, God’s End-time Vanguard: How to Pray Effectively For the Things That Matter Most.)

Check back on Wednesday for the next post on how to resist the enemy and avoid becoming predator fodder. You can also find other tips on dealing with demonic attacks in How to Deal With the Accuser Living in Your Head.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Beth Piepenburg

    Your three points are well stated. Aren’t they the very points Jesus dealt with in the desert.
    Living in these parts, the attack of the enemy comes about from Christians sending out curses. So, it’s been hard to stand up against the enemy and to stand in what God desires for me to do or for whom I am in Christ.
    I was talking to a sister about standing up against the fiery darts that have been sent her way. However, I recognize that it is hard to have faith even in God at times. We are to put on Christ, the Living Word, and be dressed in our armour. So, I shared last night:
    #1 I really saw in Eph 6:14 how important we first are girded with truth and speaking the truth on who we are in Christ. When we believe the lies, holding up the faith shield becomes rather heavy without that girdle of truth supporting our loins.
    #2 Being shod in God’s peace. The authority is in the feet (Eph 1:22), and are feet must be protected by his peace.
    #3 Now that we have some support, loins and feet, we can carry the shield of faith effortlessly.
    #4 Nurturing begins in the head, and we must protect our minds with the helmet of salvation.
    #5 Taking up the sword of the Spirit, which is the prophetic spoken word (rhema) of God to us like Scripture becomes the last of our armor.
    Now we can be effective in prayer and standing against the enemy.

  2. Mc Chavez

    Susan and Beth: I’m not one to look for a demon around every corner or anything (esp. since the assistance of flesh alone so often does the enemy’s heavy lifting), but this has been on my heart for a time and am finding others who are sensing timely and significant promptings in all of these areas lately. Even the “strongest” of Christians are not immune in these days. It’s not even the most “overt” of temptations, etc., but the more insidious of devices to lure us away from our first love, bring discouragement, wear us down, incite hopelessness or nourish apathy. Very sobering.

    May we walk more and more in His truths, honor his grace to provide for the places in which we fall short, and remain anchored securely in Him.

  3. Priscilla Acilia

    And the cord three-stranded (resistance, temptation, flaming arrows) shall not quickly broken, except by the power of the Holy Spirit.
    So very important as these days become more difficult is abiding in Him. In Iesous, the Living Word, we are clothed. Iesous is the Truth (Jn 14:6), Iesous is our Peace (Eph 2:14), and Iesous is our Salvation (Eph 1:13, 2 Tim 2:10).
    Peace and faith are the Fruit of the Spirit having been produced in our life by nurturing in Him and by watering in the Holy Spirit. And we have the words of prophecy, the Scriptures, to speak out against darkness.

  4. Susan Gaddis

    Ladies, thanks for the awesome words of wisdom.

    Beth–great points and advice to be well followed. The steps you mention provide detailed instructions for overcoming an attack rather than just enduring it.

    Melissa, I loved your wording on honoring his grace and remaining anchored securely in Him. Great word pictures for someone like me who thinks mostly in pictures.

    And Priscilla, the illustration of a three-standed cord broken by the Holy Spirit gives us hope, especially if we allow the Fruit of the Spirit to grow under His nurturing. Well said–thank you!

  5. Gay Kennedy-Horton

    Excellent. Very insightful.

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