5 Bible Verses About Satan & Signs of Spiritual Attack

Here are Bible verses about Satan so you can understand and avoid the enemy’s attacks. Learn what the Bible teaches about your enemy, Satan.

Have you gone through a period of time in your life where you had one crisis, then another, and then another? When this happens, it’s possible you are in the midst of a spiritual attack from Satan.

Who is Satan?

The devil, a term literally meaning “accuser”, is the enemy of God. He is a fallen angel who has turned away from God’s authority and seeks to pull Christians away from God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In the Bible, the devil is called “the enemy” and “the evil one”. He is also called Satan and Lucifer.

The Lucifer Bible verse reference in Scripture is from Isaiah 14, which says,

How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!

Isaiah 14:12

Another is Ezekiel 28, which describes Satan,

Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty;
You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor;
I cast you to the ground,
I laid you before kings,
That they might gaze at you.

Ezekiel 28:17

During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He said that he saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven (Luke 10:18), and in Revelation John writes about Satan as the ruler of this world.

How Satan Attacks & Distracts You

Think back to times in your life when you faced crisis after crisis and one problem after another. During these times, it’s very possible you were being attacked spiritually.

Once the big problems hit, then did a series of little problems get thrown in for good measure? You think, “Seriously?! Now this? I cannot deal with this one more thing (this broken down car, this repair bill, this flood of water) on top of what I am going through here!”

Yet you do have to deal with it, because this is life in our sinful world. At this point, you probably feel at the end of your emotional rope.

Is it possible this is how Satan was attacking you? I believe, yes.

Satan Tries to Pull You Away from God

During times that you face crisis and difficulty, Satan will attempt to use these as a way to distract and pull you away from God. You may begin to doubt your faith.

A couple years ago, our family was heavily involved in ministry at church. With my husband Mike being a pastor, we are always busy with church ministry, but during this period of time, his ministry was especially involved.

I was also heading up an Outreach program that was working to go out into our community in new and interesting ways to serve and tell people about Jesus.

It was an exciting time, and I absolutely loved what I was doing. I woke up every day thrilled to start working on this ministry.

Yet suddenly things started breaking down at home. One teen went through an emotional crisis. Another child hit a huge roadblock at school.

Then our whole family went through a series of illnesses — including the flu hitting our entire family on Christmas Eve. It was one of those seasons of “Seriously, Lord?!” I felt like if one more thing came at our family, I would melt into a puddle of Mom-mess, and it wouldn’t be pretty.

As I was sharing all this with a good friend, and she told me, “You can’t really be surprised at all this. Look at the great ministry you are doing. Of course Satan is going to attack you. He wants nothing more than to see you fail. He doesn’t want to see you grow God’s kingdom.”

Of course Satan is going to attack you. He wants nothing more than to see you fail. Satan doesn’t want to see you grow God’s kingdom.

This is why it’s so important for us to be together in fellowship with other Christians, both at worship and in relationships. We need these reminders on a regular basis.

Satan’s Spiritual Attacks

Satan loves to hit below the belt. He will strike at what matters to you most in the entire world, and for me that’s my family. When my ministry is going at its best, I find that suddenly things start to break down in my family.

I’ve seen it happen in my life again recently. My speaking engagements and writing opportunities have increased, the Faithful Finish Lines online program is going strong, and Mike and I are loving the work we are doing together — yet other areas of our family life are in strife.

If you are experiencing a similar time, use the Bible verses below to guide you. Remember that you have victory in Jesus Christ and the enemy has no power in your life because of Jesus’ death on the cross.

5 Scripture Verses about the Devil & His Schemes

Here are Bible passages that teach about the enemy, Lucifer.

1. Luke 22:31-32

Read this passage about what Jesus says to Simon Peter at the Last Supper, right before his Crucifixion:

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you*, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you** that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

Luke 22:31-32

The Greek word for “you”* at the beginning of the passage is plural, referring to all Christians. The second time “you”** is used it refers specifically to Peter. (Check out this link for more on this Bible passage.)

Satan demands you and sifts you — like wheat is sifted, clearing out the good stuff from the bad. Just the thought of that scares me. These are true spiritual battles you are in the midst of every day, and you need to take them seriously.

Yet Jesus prayed for Peter and look at the powerful result. Peter did later deny Jesus, but he repented and turned back to God.

Prayer is your powerful weapon against our enemy.

2. 2 Corinthians 2:11

…so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

2 Corinthians 2:11

In addition to prayer, a powerful strategy to defeat Satan in your life is to recognize his attacks. Do not be ignorant about the spiritual forces at work in your life. Expect the attacks and be ready to fight them with the truth of God’s Word.

3. 1 Peter 5:8

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

This verse gives us such a detailed word picture about the evil one. Satan goes around the earth, looking for ways to attack and hurt Christians. You will face many temptations, yet you have the power to overcome them with God’s help.

4. James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

As someone who is maintaining a 100 pound weight loss and recovering from food addiction, one of the places where the devil tempts me the most is with my food choices. Satan would love nothing more than to pull me away from God.

Because we all eat food every day, it’s easy to justify my unhealthy choices. “What’s one handful of chips,” is the logic, yet I know that for me one handful becomes two them 10 then the whole bag is gone.

This can feel overwhelming, yet this verse gives me so much hope! When I resist the devil, he will flee. In fact, he must run away at the name of Jesus.

5. Revelation 12:12

Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Revelation 12:12

Satan’s time of ruling on this earth is short. He is powerful, but His power is limited. You have ultimate victory because of Jesus! Claim it in your life now.

What to Do When Satan Attacks You

During times that you feel you are being attacked spiritually, take these 3 steps to stay strong in the power of the Lord. You will overcome.

1. Be Aware. 

In 2 Corinthians 2: 11 it says,  “We must be wise to Satan’s schemes. Our enemy is crafty. He knows our weaknesses and our heart’s deepest desires.”

As I have grown stronger in my faith, I see the patterns at work when Satan is attacking. I know that during these times I must be mindful of how he is attempting to pull me away from God.

Rather that being distracted and too focused on my problems, during these times I need to refocus and put God’s Word in front of me throughout the day.

2. Put on the Armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18 explains we have all we need. God has not left you hanging! You have God’s Word, prayer, and faith as your strongest weapons. 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”

Ephesians 6:10-18

3. Create a Circle of Christian Support. 

We are stronger together.

Join with other believers to pray together, encourage, and strengthen each other.

In 2 Timothy 1:8-9 God tells us,  

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,  who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.

2 Timothy 1:8-9

Stand firm, friends. When Satan attacks, remember that our enemy is already defeated and we are victorious in Christ!

What are some life situations where you have felt Satan attacking lately? How have you been able to stand firm in your faith? Have other Christians encouraged you along the way? Share in the comments below

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