Question: What is spiritual warfare, and how can we discern what is accurate from all available information? Some people say it is inaccurate, and some say there is a "demon behind every bush."
Answer: Spiritual warfare is real and part of everyone's life. However, much of it is subjective, mainly because it is based on feelings rather than the objective truth of God's Word. Let's start to develop a solid foundation slowly.
This is post FOUR in the series "Winning the Invisible War."
Series Verse:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” — Ephesians 6:10–11
Today's Verse:
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
— John 8:32
Why This Matters
Spiritual warfare is not about spooky experiences or dramatic confrontations—it’s about what you believe.
Your life is shaped by the thoughts you believe to be true. And if the enemy can influence your thoughts, he can impact your life. That’s why Satan’s most effective weapon isn’t possession—it’s deception.
Neil Anderson puts it bluntly: “The power of Satan is in the lie. If you remove the lie, you remove the power.”
Many Christians live in quiet bondage—not because they don’t love Jesus, but because they’ve believed lies about who they are, who God is, and what they can or cannot do. The good news? God’s truth is stronger than any lie.
What Scripture Says About Lies and Truth
1. Satan Is a Master Deceiver
“He was a murderer from the beginning… not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.” — John 8:44
The enemy doesn’t need to overpower you—just deceive you. His lies are subtle and sound like your own thoughts:
“You’re not good enough.”
“God is disappointed in you.”
“You’ll never change.”
2. The Battle Is Fought in the Mind
“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 10:5
Not every thought is from God—or even from you. Some are fiery arrows from the enemy. The only way to silence the lies is to recognize and replace them with truth.
3. God’s Word Is Your Weapon
“Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” — Ephesians 6:17
When Jesus was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1–11), He responded with, “It is written.” If Jesus used Scripture to defeat lies, so should we.
Neil Anderson’s Insight
Neil Anderson teaches that freedom isn’t a power encounter—it’s a truth encounter.
In The Steps to Freedom in Christ, he guides believers through identifying the lies they’ve believed and breaking agreement with them by replacing them with God’s Word.
Anderson’s method is simple but life-changing:
- Identify the lie
- Renounce the lie
- Replace it with the truth
He emphasizes that you are not in bondage because of what people did to you—but because of what you’ve come to believe as a result. That’s why truth is your way out.
Practical Application Steps
- Start a “Lie Detector” Journal
Whenever you notice negative self-talk or emotional heaviness, ask:- What am I believing right now?
- Is it true according to God’s Word?
- Write Truth Statements from Scripture
For every lie, find a verse that tells the truth. Example:- Lie: “I’ll never be free.”
Truth: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17
Write your truths down and review them daily.
- Lie: “I’ll never be free.”
- Speak Truth Out Loud Every Morning
Your words have power. Begin your day declaring things like:- “I am a child of God.”
- “I have not been given a spirit of fear.”
- “No weapon formed against me will prosper.”
- Practice “Truth Bombs” in Real Time
When fear, shame, or anger hits—don’t just push it down. Confront it with Scripture. Get used to saying, “That’s not true. God’s Word says…” - Use Neil Anderson’s “Who I Am in Christ” List Daily
Pick 3 truths to read aloud each morning and personalize them. Over time, these truths rewire your thinking.
Resources
- Book: The Steps to Freedom in Christ by Neil T. Anderson
A practical workbook that walks you through breaking spiritual strongholds with biblical truth. - List: Who I Am in Christ – FICM
A powerful list of Scripture-backed identity truths. - Book: Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick
It focuses on silencing the lies of the enemy and hearing God’s voice through Scripture.
Bottom Line.
You don’t defeat the enemy by yelling louder. You defeat him by knowing and declaring the truth. Don’t let lies linger in the shadows of your mind. Expose them. Replace them. And watch freedom grow.
The war may be invisible, but the truth is unshakable.
