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Understanding Spiritual Warfare

Building a thriving business demands longer time frames and bigger investments than most people initially anticipate, and the entrepreneurial journey can feel like a relentless struggle. As Christians, our conflict takes place, first and foremost, in the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:12). The spiritual battle over your business is real, and if you don’t take this battle on, the enemy will destroy your future.

There are three ways you may experience spiritual attacks in business:

Firstly, the enemy attacks your mind. That’s why Paul urges you to put on the full armor of God, including ‘the helmet of salvation’ (Ephesians 6:10-17). The purpose of a helmet is to protect your head. Spiritually, you need to protect your mind from Satan by filling it with God’s Word. Take time to remind yourself who you are and whose you are. Identify the lies that have taken hold of you. Who or what has sown fear, doubt, or confusion in your mind or in the minds of people in your team or wider organization? Have you found yourself questioning the business vision God gave you?

Secondly, the enemy attacks you by enticing you to love money. For believers in the marketplace, the most significant trial we’re likely to encounter is the materialism and greed that diverts our focus from God’s priorities. This doesn’t happen quickly. These gradual, subtle attacks unfold over time, making them difficult to spot. If you shift your gaze from the provider of the wealth to the wealth itself, it’s only a matter of time before you’re going to need a really significant course correction to refocus you on the Kingdom. When I find myself caught up in materialism, I make a point of giving some things away. This helps me detach from money, and it reminds me stuff isn’t worthy of my worship.

Thirdly, the enemy attacks you by getting you to partner with pride. Countless business people start off determined to honor God in business, but slowly become entitled and obsessed with their own importance and accolades. Do a quick reality check: When last did you thank God for His provision for your business, or for the opportunities and favor you’ve enjoyed? What could you do, practically, to remind yourself to keep God – not yourself – front and center? We’re a lot like the Israelites, who oscillated between loving God and denying Him – one moment praising God for His miracles, and the next wishing they were back in Egypt as slaves. Let’s not forget God’s miracles or grow dissatisfied with where He has us.

While we’ll need to deal with people and problems in the natural spaces of our businesses, may we never forget the sobering truth that we wrestle first in the spirit and second in the flesh. Let’s protect our minds from the enemy’s lies and guard against pride and the love of money so we can triumph in business to the glory of God and for the furthering of His work on Earth.