The Lies We Believe: “Spiritual Warfare Isn’t Real”

The Lie

“I don’t need to worry about spiritual warfare. That stuff is metaphorical, exaggerated, or just for pastors and missionaries. Life’s hard because of bad luck or my own mistakes—not because there’s a real enemy.”

Many men believe this lie, whether they realize it or not. We chalk up our struggles to stress, habits, or emotions. We treat sin like it’s a self-help issue. We ignore temptation, numb ourselves with entertainment, and blame everything else except the real enemy: Satan.

Satan doesn’t want you to believe he exists. Because if you don’t believe he’s real, you won’t fight him. You won’t put on the armor of God. You won’t pray like your life depends on it. You’ll stay passive. Distracted. Defeated.

And that’s exactly where he wants you.

The Truth

Spiritual warfare is not symbolic. It’s reality.

The Bible is clear: there is a battle raging all around us—and within us. It’s not just flesh and blood. It’s a war for your heart, your mind, your legacy, your family, and your future.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
— Ephesians 6:12

Jesus didn’t die so you could play defense your whole life. He died to set you free from the dominion of darkness (Colossians 1:13) and to give you authority to fight and stand firm.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
— 1 Peter 5:8

If you’re not alert, you’re easy prey. If you’re not armored, you’re vulnerable. This isn’t fearmongering—it’s biblical masculinity. Real men don’t ignore battles. They rise to them.

The Consequences

When you believe the lie that spiritual warfare isn’t real, you:

• Let your guard down and drift into sin.

• Stay stuck in cycles of addiction and blame yourself without understanding the spiritual root.

• Grow passive and discouraged, wondering why “nothing ever changes.”

• Lead your family from the flesh, not the Spirit.

• Live like a civilian instead of a soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-4).

Your apathy in the spiritual war doesn’t make the war go away. It just makes you lose it.

The Way Out

1. Acknowledge the War.
   Don’t over-spiritualize everything—but don’t under-spiritualize anything either. You’re not just battling behavior; you’re battling bondage. Recognize that temptation, sin, shame, and distraction often come with spiritual pressure.

2. Suit Up.
   Ephesians 6:10–18 lays out your armor: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. Put it on daily. Not casually—intentionally.

3. Stand Firm.
   You don’t need to fight for victory—you fight from victory. Christ already conquered the enemy (Colossians 2:15). Your job is to resist the devil, and he will flee (James 4:7).

4. Pray Like a Warrior.
   Don’t pray soft prayers. Pray with authority. Pray Scripture. Pray in the Spirit. Fast. Intercede. Rebuke. Worship. Cry out. This isn’t religion—it’s warfare.

5. Fight with Brothers.
   Lone wolves are dead wolves. You need men beside you who know what you’re up against. Share your struggles. Confess your sins. Go to war TOGETHER.

Final Charge

Spiritual warfare is real. But so is your victory in Christ.

Don’t live like a powerless man when you've been given divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). Don’t ignore the war and end up a casualty. WAKE UP. ARMOR UP. RISE UP.

“The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.”
— Exodus 15:3

If He’s your Father, then warrior is in your blood.

Live like it.