What does the Bible say about spiritual attack?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that believers face real spiritual opposition, yet Christ reigns over every enemy and calls His people to stand in faith, prayer, obedience, and confidence in God’s protection. Ephesians 6:12 identifies the deeper struggle as spiritual, while 1 Peter 5:8 urges watchfulness and resistance. James 4:7 promises that the devil flees when we submit to God and resist him. Psalm 91:1-16 comforts believers with God’s faithful care, though it is not a promise of a trouble-free life. Jesus gives His disciples authority in Luke 10:19, and John 10:10 declares that He gives abundant life against the thief’s destructive aims. Trials can also mature faith, as James 1:2 teaches.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Psalms 91:1-16 5 votes

    He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, so that you won’t dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot. “Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him. I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.”

  • Ephesians 6:12 5 votes

    For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

  • Luke 10:19 4 votes

    Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.

  • John 10:10 4 votes

    The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

  • James 1:2 4 votes

    Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,

  • James 4:7 3 votes

    Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

  • John 14:14 2 votes

    If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.

  • 2 Timothy 4:3 2 votes

    For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts,

  • Romans 12:19 2 votes

    Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”

  • 1 Peter 5:8 2 votes

    Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

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