What We Get Wrong About Spiritual Warfare

👉 Is everything a demon? Can you really pray away problems? And what does the Bible actually say about fighting spiritual battles?

Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard this:

“It’s not ordinary.”
“You need to pray!”
“There’s something spiritual behind it.”

In Nigeria, if you trip and fall, it’s spiritual.
If NEPA takes light during your favorite show—spiritual.
If you’re single at 30? You guessed it—witchcraft. 🧙🏾‍♀️

But let’s pause and ask:

Are we getting spiritual warfare wrong?

🕵🏽‍♂️ Not Everything Is a Demon

First things first: yes, spiritual warfare is real.
Scripture says:

“We wrestle not against flesh and blood…” – Ephesians 6:12

But let’s not swing the pendulum too far.
Because sometimes:

That headache is from dehydration—not an arrow from the village.
That breakup wasn’t a marine spirit—it was poor communication.
That business failed—not because of curses, but because of bad planning.

👉 Discernment is not the same as paranoia.

We can’t keep blaming demons for what discipline could fix.

🗡️ Spiritual Warfare ≠ Spiritual Laziness

Here’s another mistake:

People think spiritual warfare is only about prayer and fasting.
So, we shout at mountains…
…but we never climb them.

Yes, prayer is powerful.
But so is wisdom, boundaries, therapy, honesty, repentance, accountability.

Fighting spiritually doesn’t mean avoiding reality.
It means engaging with it through the lens of Christ.

Jesus didn’t just pray in the wilderness—He quoted Scripture.
He didn’t just speak in tongues—He told the devil, “It is written.”

That’s spiritual warfare.

⚖️ The Two Extremes

There are two errors when it comes to spiritual warfare:

1. Over-Spiritualizing Everything:
Every setback becomes demonic.
No personal responsibility.
No reflection.
No growth.

2. Ignoring the Battle Entirely:
Thinking everything is physical.
Not praying.
Not fasting.
Not resisting temptation.
Living carelessly, as if the enemy doesn’t exist.

Truth is: spiritual warfare is a both/and, not an either/or.

📖 What the Bible Actually Teaches

Let’s clarify a few things:

✅ Demons are real, but they’re not everywhere.
✅ Prayer is a weapon, but not a substitute for obedience.
✅ Spiritual attacks happen, but so does self-sabotage.
✅ God gives armor, but we still have to wear it.

“Put on the full armor of God…” – Ephesians 6:11
Not “Hang it in your prayer closet for decoration.”

🧠 The Mind Is the Battlefield

A lot of spiritual battles happen in your thoughts.

Condemnation
Fear
Lies
Identity crisis
Doubt

You don’t need a deliverance session—you need renewed thinking.

That’s why Romans 12:2 says:

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Sometimes, deliverance is not a one-time scream—it’s a daily choice to believe God’s truth.

🙏🏾 How to Fight Right

Know your enemy – It’s not your boss, your mother-in-law, or your ex.
Use your weapons – Prayer, Scripture, praise, fasting, wise counsel.
Stay alert – The enemy thrives on distraction and deception.
Check your heart – Sometimes, the real battle is pride, unforgiveness, or fear.
Walk in obedience – There’s no point fighting darkness while cuddling sin.
Lean on community – You’re not meant to fight alone.
Stand firm – Not everything will disappear immediately. Warfare is a process.

🧨 What We Get Wrong

Myth: All problems are spiritual attacks.
Truth: Some are natural consequences or human error.
Myth: Spiritual warfare is loud prayers only.
Truth: It’s a lifestyle of awareness, discipline, and faith.
Myth: If I pray enough, all problems disappear.
Truth: Some prayers prepare you to endure, not escape.

💬 Final Thoughts

Spiritual warfare is real.
But so is personal growth.
So is responsibility.
So is wise decision-making.

Don’t let the devil become your default excuse.
Don’t fight wrong battles with wrong tools.

Yes, there’s a war going on.
But you don’t fight from fear—you fight from victory.

Because Christ already won.

Now walk in that truth—with eyes open, armor on, and truth in your heart.