Six Signs Satan Has You in His Crosshairs

If you feel under attack, it may be because you're a threat to hell. Satan doesn't target the idle—he goes after those nearing breakthrough.

On a scale of 0 to 10 with ten being total attack, how attacked do you feel by Satan today, and why do you feel that way?

Before you answer that question, you need to understand something crucial: Satan wants you to skip this question entirely. He wants you to think, "This is nice information, but my situation is so very different."

Don't let him win.

In my 18 years of studying the spiritual lives of the faithful, I've discovered a sobering pattern that every Christ-follower must understand. And what I'm about to share could be the difference between a spiritual breakthrough and a spiritual breakdown.

The Pattern Satan Doesn't Want You to See

Here's what most believers miss: Satan doesn't waste time on people or ministries who aren't a threat to his kingdom. In fact, he makes ineffective Christians feel very blessed as they remain completely and happily impotent, self-righteously going through life doing little to nothing of Kingdom value.

Think about it. When was the last time you faced intense spiritual warfare while sitting comfortably in your spiritual recliner, doing nothing that threatens hell's agenda?

The attacks come when you're dangerous.

As some of you know, Back to the Bible is still navigating the worst financial crisis in our history. We ran out of funding just as we were preparing to release our personal interactive daily discipleship program. We also lost a major donor who was generous, committed to discipleship, and supported our ministry—a ministry that was changing lives. This made us a high-value target.

Here's the truth that will change how you see your struggles: The closer you get to your breakthrough, the fiercer the attack becomes. If you're experiencing intense spiritual warfare right now, it might mean you're closer to your destiny than you think. Peter warned us about this very thing: 

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

But here's what most people miss about that verse—lions don't attack the entire herd. They target the ones who are separated, vulnerable, or moving ahead of the pack.

Here are the warning signs that you're under spiritual attack:

1. Sudden, Intense Doubts About God's Love:  When Job was under attack, Satan's goal wasn't just to cause suffering—it was to make Job curse God and die (Job 2:9). If you're suddenly questioning everything you've believed about God's goodness, especially during a difficult season, you're likely under attack.

2. Isolation from Christian Community: Satan told Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down" (Matthew 4:6).  He was trying to get Jesus to act alone, outside of God's protection. When you start pulling away from church, small groups, or believing friends, alarm bells should go off.

3. Persistent Thoughts of Self-Harm or Hopelessness: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10). Satan's ultimate goal is your destruction. If you're having thoughts of ending your life, this is a direct satanic attack on God's image in you. (Call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately). Tell a trusted friend or pastor today. This is not the time to "tough it out" alone.

4. Sudden Moral Failures After Spiritual Growth: Peter walked on water, then denied Jesus three times. Satan asked to "sift" Peter like wheat (Luke 22:31). Often, our greatest spiritual victories are followed by our most vulnerable moments.

5. Feeling Spiritually Dead as well as an Inability to Pray or Read Scripture: When you can't concentrate during prayer or God's Word feels lifeless, you may be experiencing a period of not growing spiritually (research shows about 3 months out of each year for the average Christ Follower). If this condition persists, it can often result in a type of demonic oppression designed to cut off your lifeline to God. 

6. Feeling so Blessed, so Very Comfortable, and so Spiritually Satisfied with Yourself That You Seldom, if Ever, Feel Yourself Being Tempted or Have the Motivation to Mentor or Disciple Another Person:  You are comfortable doing nothing as it relates to others and the Kingdom of God.

How Satan Targets God's Most Faithful Servants

Jesus warned Peter specifically: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail" (Luke 22:31-32). Notice two crucial truths:

1. Satan asks permission - He can't just attack you without God's awareness

2. Jesus prays for you - You're never fighting alone

   
   

The closer you get to your breakthrough, the fiercer the attack becomes. If you're experiencing intense spiritual warfare right now, it might mean you're closer to your destiny than you think.

Stay tuned,

-Arnie