Spiritual Warfare Teaching Series: Knowing Your Enemy – Part 2
Teaching Series: Born into Battle – Equipping the Saints for Spiritual Warfare By: Minister Denise N. Fyffe
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
Introduction
This week, I thought about how the enemy rarely comes at us in the same way twice. He studies patterns, waits for moments of weakness, and then strikes where we least expect it. That’s why the Bible calls us to be both sober and vigilant. In Spiritual Warfare: Born into Battle (Chapter 3, p. 45), I explain that awareness is not fear — it’s preparation. When you know the enemy’s playbook, you can respond with God’s truth instead of being caught off guard.
Last week, we looked at deception, accusation, and temptation. Today, we’ll cover six more strategies the enemy uses — and the biblical counters that keep us standing.
Six More Strategies of the Enemy
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Intimidation
The enemy uses fear to freeze you before you act. Like a roaring lion, he tries to paralyze you with threats, worst-case scenarios, or sudden crises.
Counter: Lift the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16) and confess 2 Timothy 1:7 — “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
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Distraction
If the enemy can’t make you fall, he’ll try to make you busy — too busy to pray, too tired to read the Word, too distracted to notice his schemes.
Counter: Guard your priorities. Matthew 6:33 reminds us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Schedule prayer and Scripture as non-negotiables.
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Division
Satan loves to fracture relationships — in marriages, churches, and teams — because division drains spiritual power.
Counter: Practice quick forgiveness (Mark 11:25) and peacemaking (Ephesians 4:3). Refuse gossip and offense; speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
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Delay and Obstruction
Sometimes answers are resisted in the spiritual realm, as in Daniel 10:12–13. The enemy hopes you’ll give up before the breakthrough.
Counter: Persevere in prayer. Enlist intercessors. Stand your post until the answer comes.
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Counterfeit Power
The enemy offers false spiritual experiences through occult practices, “harmless” divination, or a mixture of truth and error.
Counter: Consecrate yourself fully to God. Remove and renounce anything tied to darkness (Acts 19:19). Submit to the Holy Spirit alone.
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Weariness
Long battles can make you want to quit. The enemy hopes you’ll lay down your weapons out of exhaustion.
Counter: Rest in God’s presence (Matthew 11:28–30), worship to renew your strength, and let trusted believers “hold up your arms” like Aaron and Hur did for Moses (Exodus 17:12).
Why This Matters
When you can identify the enemy’s tactics, you stop reacting in the flesh and start responding in the Spirit. You move from being on the defensive to taking ground. As I say in the book (p. 49), “We expose the devil’s tactics not to glorify darkness, but to magnify the victory of Jesus Christ.”
Practical Exercise for the Week
Counter-Intel Table
- Draw two columns in your journal.
- On the left, list any tactic you notice this week (fear, distraction, division, etc.).
- On the right, write the Bible Scripture you will use to counter it.
- Review your list at the end of the week and thank God for each victory.
Reflection Question
- Which of these six tactics has been most effective against me in the past, and what specific Scripture will I use to counter it this week?
Be Encouraged
This lesson completes our look at the enemy’s strategies, but it’s only a summary. In Spiritual Warfare: Born into Battle, Chapter 3 (pp. 41–50), I unpack each tactic in detail, with prayers, declarations, and drills to help you shut every door and stand in your God-given authority. If you haven’t yet, get your copy and use it as your personal field manual — it will train you to recognize the enemy’s schemes faster, respond with confidence, and walk in lasting victory.
Please feel free to drop us a line, using the Prayer Request Contact form and we will pray for you.
The Invitation
I invite you today to take a deep look at yourself and reflect on your life. Are you searching for something more? Are you satisfied with how things are today? Is God calling you to confess your sins, be baptized and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you been ignoring him? What can you do to take the first step?
Trust God to help you with that first step.
Click here to understand how to Answer the Call or answer the Altar Call.
It shall be well with you, in Jesus mighty name.
About the writer:
Minister Denise N. Fyffe is a devoted Christian, author, and servant of God, whose life is guided by her faith and values. Since accepting Jesus Christ at a young age, she has made it her mission to share her journey. She also shares her knowledge of the Bible with others. Besides her passion for writing, Minister Fyffe is actively involved in outreach, Christian mentorship, and ministering the Word of God.
