How to Win Our Spiritual Battles

We all want to know how to win our spiritual battles so we can overcome hardship and temptations. In the Bible, we find inspiring examples and principles on how to find our spiritual battles and win.

The Battlefield of Our Minds and Hearts

Even if we don’t recognize it, we are engaged in spiritual battles nearly daily. Our minds and hearts are a battlefield.

We are bombarded with different thoughts inducing anxiety, worry, fears, insecurities, self-doubt, guilt – you name it.

Often, we wage war with a persistent and daunting enemy, like depression or addiction.

We need to train ourselves to fight and win our spiritual battles, leaning on biblical examples and principles.

Remember to pin me for later!

How to Win Our Spiritual Battles

Here are several powerful principles of spiritual warfare based on the story about David and Goliath in 2 Samuel, chapter 17.

In this amazing battle between David and the giant Goliath, we find two action phases leading to victory.

The first one is the phase of preparation, which involves taking the right stance and positioning ourselves.

The second phase is the phase of taking action and engaging in the battle.

Here are several powerful principles of spiritual warfare based on the story about David and Goliath in 2 Samuel, chapter 17.  #Biblestudy #spiritualwarfare #spiritualgrowth Share on X

Taking the Right Position in Faith

Here are the steps that will help us take the right stance and position ourselves in faith before we engage.

#1 The Decision to Fight

It always starts with a decision or a choice we make. We have the choice to do nothing, not to resist, and just give up and give in, or we can decide to resist and fight.

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (1 Samuel 17:32, NIV)

#2 Remember Our Victories in the Past and Boast in the Lord

The next step is to strengthen ourselves by remembering our past victories and testimonies, and how the Lord delivered us and helped us.

We can remember how we overcame an addiction or a certain sinful behavior and gain confidence that the present enemy and battle are no different.

Because the Lord is the same. He remains our Deliverer; He doesn’t change, and He is trustworthy, as David declared:

 “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37, NIV)

#3 Declarations of Faith

We can continue to encourage and strengthen ourselves in the Lord by making our personal declarations of faith.

These words declare our dependence on the Lord and empower us for the battle.

We can say too, „The Lord who rescued me in the past will rescue me again.“

Taking Action and Engaging in the Battle

Here are 3 steps to take action, face our enemy, and win our spiritual battle.

#1 Attack the Enemy

The first step is not to flee, not to wait, and not to go into defense, but to face our enemy directly and launch an attack.

In our spiritual armor, God has given us a weapon of offense: the Sword of the Lord. We can yield this sword of Spirit-breathed truths and verses for the specific situation led by the Holy Spirit in prayer.

“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. (1 Samuel 17:48, NIV)

#2 Declare Our Victory in the Lord to the Enemy

Another powerful action step is to speak to our enemy and declare our victory in the Lord. This is part of using the Sword of the Spirit to fight successfully and win our spiritual battles. This is how David did it:

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. (1 Samuel 17:45-46, NIV)

#3 Finish the Enemy

The last step is to finish the enemy and win a complete victory. We need to be willing to go to the very end and win back everything that our enemy has stolen from us.

Likewise, it was not enough for David to kill Goliath. He also cut his head, took it to Jerusalem for public display, and took possession of his weapons.

„David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.” (1 Samuel 17:51, 54, NIV)

The Battle and the Glory Belong to the Lord

Our spiritual victories are a joint venture: the result of God’s power working through us and our active faith and trust in Him. Engaging in spiritual warfare is a deed of faith.

Let’s always remember that all our battles belong to the Lord, and He has supplied everything we need to free us from our enemies and help us overcome.

“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47, NIV)

Engaging in spiritual warfare is a deed of faith. #faith #encouragement #spiritualwarfare Share on X

Find More Courage and Strength with This Resource

Do you need more courage and strength to pursue spiritual victory in your life? Check out this helpful resource.

This is a devotional to help you find new courage and strength in different challenging life situations, containing devotions, focusing on 7 major areas of life, selected scripture, and scripture-based prayer after each devotion.

More Encouragement for You

If you need more resources and encouragement in your Christian life and spiritual battles, I can highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings by Hadassah Treu

Kissing Guilt Goodbye by EnLiven Devotionals

Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Transforming Your Thought Life  by Sarah Geringer

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

Forward: Discovering God’s Presence and Purpose in Your Tomorrow by David Jeremiah

Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics by William Lane Craig

Extinguishing the Spirit of Fear: 30 Devotions to Battle Fear and Anxiety by Devotable

Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley

Before You Quit: Everyday Endurance, Moral Courage, and the Quest for Purpose by Doug Gehman

This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!

Your Turn

Which phase of spiritual warfare is the most challenging for you, and why? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!

I send my newsletter “Keep the Faith” every two weeks. I share with you first the newest blog post, recommended books and articles, and the newest freebies and resources to keep the faith.