Over the past 30 years, churches have been springing up in almost every corner—on the streets, on billboards, on the radio, and TV. There’s been an explosion of activities: crusades, gospel concerts, special programs, seminars, conferences, and conventions. Yet, despite all these activities, we must honestly admit that true, vibrant Christianity has not increased in the same measure.
What we now see more often are worldly churches, carnal leaders, and compromised lifestyles. Many profess Christ but live shallow, hypocritical, and spiritually empty lives. People are beginning to complain about the state of the church.
However, we can change this narrative. We can restore the Zoe—the God-kind of life—to the Body of Christ if we return to spiritual warfare with renewed fire. The Church of Jesus Christ is primarily a spiritual organism, and she is under spiritual attack—both internally and externally.
A. BIBLICAL FOUNDATION – Matthew 16:18; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Satan is referred to in the Bible as the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) and the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). From the beginning, he attempted to usurp God’s authority and build his counterfeit kingdom here on earth (John 12:31; 14:30; Ephesians 6:12). The devil operates by deception—he likes to either be underestimated or overestimated.
- Jesus Himself told us that Satan will attempt to wage war against the church (Matthew 16:18).
- Satan is enraged with the church and will do everything to defile, divide, and destroy her.
- All the violence, bloodshed, poverty, and plagues we see today are part of Satan’s warfare against God and His image in man.
- The devil has demonic agents stationed in every region to blind hearts and drag souls to hell.
- Whether we acknowledge it or not, every local church is caught in a spiritual battle.
The church in Samaria began well (John 4), but because they lacked understanding and action in spiritual warfare, they almost lost the move of God (Acts 8:9–13). Likewise, the church in Ephesus was powerful (Acts 19:11–23), but their failure to sustain warfare led to decline (Ephesians 6:10–18; Revelation 2:1–6).
Without proper knowledge and consistent application of spiritual warfare, Satan will reduce any church to a powerless, lifeless, and valueless gathering.
B. SATANIC STRATEGIES AGAINST YOUR CHURCH
(2 Corinthians 2:11; Isaiah 49:24–26; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Peter 5:8)
The church is the light of the world, and light exposes darkness. The church has authority to set captives free and destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). The devil knows that the church carries spiritual power far above his, so his mission is to resist, weaken, and, if possible, destroy her (Ephesians 2:6–7; 1:21–22).
Satan does not attack randomly. He uses calculated strategies to neutralize the impact of local assemblies. Here are some of his tactics:
- Attack the Shepherd – “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter” (Isaiah 24:1, 10, 15–17).
Scandals and moral failures among pastors are major satanic weapons against churches. - Introduce dead religiosity – Revelation 2:3–5
Formal, routine-based religion without the fire of love and passion for God. It may look busy, but there’s no Zoe—no divine life. - External persecution and pressure – Revelation 2:9–10
Threats, opposition, and societal resistance are tools Satan uses to silence and discourage the church. - False doctrines and deceptive teachings – Revelation 2:14-15
Doctrines that promote immorality, materialism, and error destabilize faith and spiritual growth. - Infiltration by demonic agents – Revelation 2:20–23
Satan sends counterfeit believers into leadership and influence positions to manipulate and sabotage the church from within. - Internal strife and division
Satan specializes in sowing seeds of discord, gossip, offense, and tribalism, leading to schisms and breakdown in unity. - Worldly comfort and compromise – Revelation 3:15–18
When churches become complacent, tolerant of sin, and obsessed with wealth and ease, they lose the fire of revival. - Extinguishing fervent prayers
A prayerless church is a powerless church. Satan does all he can to stop the fire of intercession. - Attack on families and marriages
Satan knows that broken homes weaken the testimony and health of the local church. - Cliques and untouchable power brokers
When people in the church live in unrepentant sin but are protected by influence, they corrupt others and quench the Spirit.
Ultimately, Satan’s mission is to deceive, dominate, and destroy (John 10:10). But we are not ignorant of his devices.
Recommended Reading
The Age And Size Of Your Church
Top Ten Lessons from the Life of Abraham
30 Tips To Creating An Amazing Marriage
C. WARFARE STRATEGIES FOR LIVING CHURCHES
Here are strategic steps every church must take to become a victorious army:
- Begin with personal spiritual warfare – John 14:30
You must be spiritually clean, strong, and discerning as a believer. - Engage in corporate church warfare – 2 Corinthians 10:13–14
As a church, rise in unity to stand against the forces that resist your growth and mandate. - Take the battle to the community level – Revelation 13:6–12
Pray for your city, challenge territorial spirits, and intercede for souls. - Seek divine guidance continually
The Holy Spirit must lead the warfare strategy (Romans 8:14). - Raise a prayer army
Find faithful, dedicated intercessors who will stand in the gap for the church. - Call for times of fasting and waiting on the Lord
Spiritual empowerment and revelation are sharpened through fasting. - Use strategic prayer models
Use scriptures, prophetic actions, night vigils, and praise warfare as the Spirit leads. - Do vicinity warfare
Pray over your church premises and surroundings. Break strongholds in your locality. - House-to-house intercession
Visit members’ homes for spiritual strengthening and deliverance prayers. - Street and junction warfare
Take prayers to the streets and key junctions of your community. Walk the land. - Community praise warfare
Organize open-air praise crusades to lift the name of Jesus and displace demonic atmospheres. - Anoint and dedicate your ground to the Lord
Use oil and prayers to reclaim your church ground, neighborhood, and city for Jesus.
CONCLUSION
The church is not a social club. She is an army, a bride, and a spiritual force ordained to confront the gates of hell. If we rise with the authority of Christ, with prayer, purity, and power, then no weapon formed against us shall prosper.
It’s time to fight back—spiritually, scripturally, and strategically!