Understanding spiritual warfareQuestion: Why is it that, when I try to strengthen my faith, I get more temptations? Benjamin from Kasese
Response:
Thank you, Benjamin, for your question. I would like to sympathise with you and encourage you that we are all engaged in the same struggle of spiritual warfare.
Spiritual warfare
At its core, spiritual warfare is the ongoing cosmic battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, between the forces of good led by God and the forces of evil led by Satan. It is not a battle fought with physical weapons, but one waged in the spiritual realm, with the human heart and mind as the primary battlefield.
The Bible explains this reality clearly. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This verse shows that our real conflict is not with people, nor is it simply a psychological struggle. It points to an organised, intelligent, and persistent spiritual enemy that opposes God and His people.
Satan is described in Scripture as “a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8) and as “the father of lies” (John 8:44). His tactics include deception, accusation, and temptation—all intended to weaken our relationship with God, derail our faith, and render us ineffective for His purposes.
Why temptation intensifies
When you make a conscious decision to strengthen your faith—through prayer, Bible study, worship, or service—you are not simply choosing a new lifestyle. You are advancing into enemy-held territory. You are declaring war on spiritual complacency. In response, the enemy launches a counterattack. Here is why this happens, from a biblical perspective:
- You have become a threat
A complacent or lukewarm Christian poses little threat to the enemy. But a believer who is actively pursuing holiness, deepening their prayer life, and seeking to live according to God’s Word becomes a spiritual target. Such a person is like a soldier who has moved from the rear lines to the front. The enemy seeks to neutralise this new threat early. By bombarding you with temptations, especially in areas of weakness, he hopes to discourage you, make you feel like a failure, and convince you that pursuing holiness is pointless. - It reveals the battle that was always there
Sometimes the temptations are not new; you are simply more aware of them. Before you made a commitment to strengthen your faith, you may have given in to certain desires or habits without much thought. Now, with your conscience sharpened by the Holy Spirit, you recognise those same impulses as temptations designed to pull you away from God. What was once background noise is now identified as spiritual opposition. This is a sign of growth, not decline. - God’s permissive will and your refinement
The Bible teaches that God does not tempt anyone (James 1:13), but He may allow the enemy to test us, as He did with Job. His purpose is not to make us fall, but to strengthen us.
James 1:2–4 encourages us: “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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Temptation, therefore, becomes a training ground for spiritual maturity. Each time you resist, you are not just saying “no” to sin; you are exercising spiritual muscle. You are learning to depend on the Holy Spirit rather than on your own strength (Galatians 5:16). This process produces a resilient and enduring faith, one that can withstand storms rather than collapse under pressure.
- A Shift in the nature of the attack
As you grow spiritually, the enemy’s strategies also change. He may move from obvious temptations to more subtle ones. Pride (“I’m doing better than others”), self-reliance (“I can handle this alone”), or discouragement (“I keep failing, so God must be disappointed in me”) are all tools he uses to disrupt your dependence on Christ.
These refined tactics are designed to distance you from God, not through blatant rebellion, but through misplaced confidence or despair. Recognising these as part of the battle helps you stay alert and anchored in grace.
Strengthening your faith does not eliminate temptation; it often exposes it. But remember, you are not fighting alone. God equips you with spiritual armour, truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God (Ephesians 6:13–17). Through prayer and perseverance, you stand firm, knowing that “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
