This may come as a surprise to some, but about 20 years ago, I wrote a book on spiritual warfare for teenagers. It was called Battle Zone (now out of print). I wrote it because, at the time, there was virtually nothing on the bookshelves specifically aimed at helping teenagers understand the spiritual battles they face every day.
Through writing that book, researching the topic, and leading Dare 2 Share events that taught about spiritual warfare, I’ve distilled the topic into four key insights. These aren’t just theories—they’re hard-earned truths every believer needs to grasp to stand firm in their faith.
1. Take it seriously.
Angels and demons are real. Although we can’t see them, they’re constantly at work in the invisible spiritual realm. I’m reminded of a scene from an old movie called The Spiderwick Chronicles, in which a young boy discovers a fantastical world of hidden creatures—only visible by looking through a magic lens. We don’t have a magic lens, but we do have Scripture, and it talks repeatedly about spiritual beings.
If you take the Bible seriously, you must take spiritual warfare seriously. Peter warns us plainly in 1 Peter 5:8:
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
This isn’t symbolic fluff. It’s a clear and urgent call to be spiritually awake and vigilant.
2. Don’t go looking for it.
Some Christians make the mistake of going on “demon hunts,” thinking it’s their job to confront evil forces head-on. But Jude 1:8–9 warns against this very thing:
In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority, and heap abuse on celestial beings. Even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’
If you’re walking with God, living out the Gospel, and advancing His Kingdom, you don’t need to go looking for demons—they’ll come to you. But when they do, your posture shouldn’t be one of bravado. It should be one of humility and dependence on God.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
3. Live a 10-20 life.
The ultimate spiritual battle plan is found in Ephesians 6:10–20. This passage isn’t just theological theory—it’s a daily strategy. Verse 10 starts it off:
Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Then Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God, recognize who our true enemies are (not people, but spiritual forces), and stand our ground.
Every piece of armor—truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, the Word, and prayer—equips us for spiritual resistance. We must be ready to quote Scripture (verse17), pray for each other constantly (verse18), and proclaim the Gospel boldly (verses19–20). This is what it means to live a “10-20 life”—anchored in Ephesians 6:10-20.
4. Never arm-wrestle a demon.
Spiritual warfare is not a power encounter—it’s a truth encounter. You can’t outmuscle a demon. They’re smarter, older, and stronger than you. But they’re no match for the truth of God’s Word or the power of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He didn’t argue or wrestle. He simply quoted Scripture. And when demons manifested in others, Jesus cast them out with the truth of God’s Word. We don’t need to command or shout at demons. We need to trust in God and Scripture. As Michael the archangel modeled, we can simply say, “The Lord rebuke you.”
If you encounter someone possessed by a demon, preach the Gospel to them. If they believe, the Holy Spirit—the “someone stronger” from Luke 11:21–22—takes residence and drives the demon out.
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, He takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder. Luke 11:21-22
I pray these four insights help you “fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) with wisdom, confidence, and courage. Spiritual warfare is real—but so is our victory in Christ. Let’s be alert, equipped, and fearless in the fight.
