When Faith Grows, So Does the Battle
When Faith Grows, So Does the Battle: Why the Enemy Attacks Strong Believers
If you’ve ever wondered why life suddenly feels harder right after you start growing closer to God, you’re not imagining it.
You start praying more, reading your Bible, walking in faith — and then, out of nowhere, everything seems to go wrong. Old temptations resurface. Relationships strain. Your peace feels shaky.
It’s confusing, right? You think, “I’m finally doing the right things — why does it feel like I’m being attacked?”
Here’s the truth: the enemy fights hardest when you’re closest to breakthrough.
The Closer You Get to God, the More the Enemy Notices
The devil doesn’t waste energy on people who are standing still. He saves his attacks for those who are moving toward purpose.
When you were living comfortably in distraction or doubt, you weren’t much of a threat. But the moment you started seeking God’s presence, you drew spiritual attention.
Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
The enemy can’t steal your salvation — but he’ll do everything he can to steal your focus, your joy, and your confidence.
When you start walking in faith, you become a danger to his agenda — and that’s when he starts throwing everything he can at you.
Spiritual Growth Always Draws Spiritual Resistance
Think about it like this: the closer a plane gets to takeoff, the greater the air resistance it faces. It’s not a sign something’s wrong — it’s a sign it’s rising.
That’s what spiritual warfare is. Resistance means movement.
James 1:2–4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Those trials aren’t proof that God has abandoned you — they’re proof that He’s building you.
You’re developing spiritual endurance, learning to trust Him even when it hurts.
So when things get hard, don’t assume it’s because you’ve done something wrong. Sometimes it’s because you’re finally doing something right.
The Enemy Attacks What He Fears
If you’ve been under pressure lately, it might be because hell has noticed what heaven is preparing in you.
The enemy sees your potential — maybe clearer than you do. He sees the lives you could touch, the peace you could bring, the purpose you’re stepping into. So he tries to stop you before you get there.
He’ll whisper lies like, “You’re not strong enough. You’ll never change. God isn’t listening.”
But those lies reveal his fear — because he knows the truth of 1 John 4:4: “The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
You don’t need to be afraid of the battle. You just need to recognize what’s really happening.
You’re not under attack because you’re weak — you’re under attack because you’re becoming dangerous to darkness.
God Uses Tests to Strengthen What the Enemy Tries to Break
Here’s the amazing thing: God doesn’t waste battles.
Even when the enemy brings trials, God turns them into training.
Remember Job? Satan attacked every area of his life — his health, his family, his possessions — but God used that suffering to refine Job’s faith.
Job could say, “When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)
God doesn’t allow trials to destroy you; He allows them to develop you.
What feels like spiritual warfare might actually be spiritual weight-lifting — building muscles of faith you’ll need later.
Stay Rooted When the Storm Hits
When spiritual attacks come, the temptation is to run — to stop praying, stop trusting, stop showing up. That’s exactly what the enemy wants.
But you’ve come too far to go back now.
Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
That armor is truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17)
Prayer and Scripture aren’t just spiritual habits — they’re spiritual weapons.
Every time you pray, every time you open your Bible, every time you choose forgiveness over bitterness — you’re fighting back.
The enemy can’t defeat a believer who refuses to quit.
Trials Mean You’re Growing
Think back to when you first came to faith.
At first, it felt easy — light, exciting, new. Then life hit harder. Temptations got louder. Doubt tried to creep in.
That’s not failure — that’s maturity.
God is growing you from milk to meat, from comfort to calling.
He’s teaching you to stand firm, to pray deeper, to depend fully.
1 Peter 5:8-10 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith … and the God of all grace … will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
Strong faith doesn’t come from easy seasons. It’s forged in fire — and that’s where you discover that the same God who let you face the storm will be the One who calms it.
You’re Not Losing — You’re Leveling Up
Every test is a promotion in disguise.
Every battle is proof that you’re advancing.
You’re not falling apart — you’re being fortified.
So if the enemy has been loud lately, take it as confirmation: something powerful is being birthed in you.
God is doing something new.
Stay faithful. Keep praying. Keep standing.
Because the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (Romans 8:11) — and no weapon formed against you will prosper (Isaiah 54:17).