Why The Devil Viciously Attacks You | David Diga Hernandez
Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Why the Enemy Attacks and How to Walk in Victory
Have you ever wondered why you seem to face relentless opposition, struggle, and temptation as a follower of Jesus? If you’re feeling the heaviness of spiritual battle in your mind, family, or daily life, you’re not alone. There’s a purpose behind the enemy’s attacks, a centuries-old battle fought over the very dominion God originally intended for you. When we recognize the nature and origins of this conflict, we not only gain fresh understanding but also access the authority Jesus has given us through His victory on the cross. Let’s explore what the Bible reveals about this unseen war and how you can live truly triumphant in Christ.
The Invisible War—A Spiritual Reality
The Bible is clear: the spiritual world is real, even though our physical eyes can’t see it. This conflict between light and darkness isn’t just an abstract idea; it directly impacts our lives, families, and communities. Many Christians find themselves wondering, “Why do I face such heavy spiritual opposition?” The answer lies in the supernatural realm, where eternal truths play out beyond what our senses detect.
According to Acts 26:18, when we come to faith in Jesus, God opens our eyes and delivers us from darkness. We’re pulled out from under the power of Satan and placed under the glorious authority of God. This act of deliverance isn’t just symbolic—it’s a transfer of allegiance, moving us from one kingdom to another.
Dominion Restored Through Christ
When you’re born again, you step under God’s divine authority. You can’t exercise spiritual authority unless you’re willingly submitted to God’s lordship. The moment you received Christ, the darkness scattered. God lifted you from a place of spiritual destruction and set you on a firm foundation, making you a new creation (Colossians 1:13).
Before following Jesus, every person is naturally a servant of sin, held captive by Satan’s lies and unable to break free on their own. Even self-centered living is ultimately rooted in the kingdom of darkness, because sin surrenders ground to the enemy. But in Christ, we’re called not just into forgiveness, but into kingdom dominion—the authority to bring God’s will to every area of our lives.
Why Does the Devil Attack?
The conflict between good and evil reaches back to the dawn of time. The enemy’s attacks are not random. They are targeted because of the unique authority and dominion God gave humanity. There are only two kingdoms in operation—the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. Though God and Satan are not equals in power, there is still a battle raging until the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises.
One reason spiritual warfare can seem so intense is that darkness often masquerades as wisdom or progress in our culture—whether in the education system, media, politics, or even everyday life. Evil often gains a foothold through disobedience, but victory has always belonged to those under God’s authority.
The Origin of the Spiritual Battle
To grasp the enemy’s tactics, we must understand where this conflict began. According to Revelation 12, war erupted in heaven when Lucifer attempted to usurp God’s throne. He was cast out of heaven, along with a third of the angelic host who followed him in rebellion. This is sobering: even beings who saw God’s glory were deceived by Satan’s pride.
Scripture indicates that the fall of Satan happened after the earth was created, since he was cast down to a place that already existed (Job 38:4-7). Furthermore, he was present, marveling at creation alongside the other angels. Yet, after man was created and received his divine commission, Satan’s jealousy flared. Genesis 1:26 reveals that God created man in His own image and gave him dominion over all the earth—something Lucifer coveted deeply.
The Devil’s Jealousy and the Temptation of Mankind
The spark that ignited Lucifer’s rebellion was envy over the authority granted to humanity. God exalted man to rule the earth, and this placed Satan—formerly a high-ranking angel—under human dominion. Adam and Eve were created to steward and govern the earth as God’s representatives.
Deprived of his former glory and now subject to earthly authority, Satan sought to reverse this divine order. He knew he couldn’t regain his original status; his only hope was to bring man down from his position of dominion. That’s exactly what happened in Genesis 3, when the serpent cunningly questioned God’s Word and tempted Adam and Eve to disobey. He convinced them to pursue knowledge and self-exaltation, promising they’d “be like God.” The moment they chose rebellion, their nature changed, and shame entered for the first time. Through their choice, they surrendered their authority, allowing sin and death to enter the world.
Why God Barred the Way to the Tree of Life
After the fall, God’s response may seem harsh at first, as He banished Adam and Eve from the Garden and blocked their access to the tree of life. But this act was deeply merciful—if humanity had eaten from the tree in their fallen state, they would have remained eternally separated from God. Instead, God set in motion a plan for redemption, culminating in Christ, so that eternal life would be offered on the basis of restored relationship, not perpetual brokenness.
Jesus: Restoring Dominion on the Cross
From the moment of Adam’s fall, God was already preparing redemption. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, came to break the curse of sin by becoming the new representative of humanity. Where the first Adam failed by taking from a forbidden tree, Jesus triumphed by offering Himself on the cross—restoring our relationship with God and our authority as sons and daughters of the King.
Ephesians 2:2 and James 4:7 provide powerful instructions for victorious