Fighting the Good Fight: Taking on Defeated Satan and the Frailty of the Flesh

Have you ever felt like you’re fighting an invisible war just to spend time with God? You want to read your Bible, pray, and draw closer to Him—but instead, you feel resistance so strong it seems impossible to overcome. Your mind is restless, your body uncomfortable, and your spirit heavy. You’re not sinning in the obvious ways, but you feel stuck in a rut, longing to honor God yet unable to follow through.

If that’s where you are today, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re experiencing a battle that every believer faces in some form. The good news? You’re not fighting this battle alone.

A Biblical Perspective: Forsaking the Spring of Living Water

Jeremiah 2:13 paints a vivid picture of the human condition:

“My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”

God’s people abandoned Him, the source of all life and peace, for substitutes that couldn’t satisfy. But here’s the startling truth: even the pagan nations of Jeremiah’s time didn’t abandon their false gods—yet Judah turned from the one true God.

Why?

The explanation is found in Jeremiah 2:23-34, where God describes Judah as being like a camel in heat—driven by uncontrollable urges. The people weren’t acting rationally; they were enslaved by sin.

This is a powerful reminder that the struggle to seek God isn’t just about discipline. It’s a spiritual battle, fueled by sin’s grip on our flesh. Paul echoes this struggle in Romans 7:15-25, describing how the flesh resists the Spirit at every turn. Yet, as overwhelming as this battle feels, there is hope.

Recognizing the Battle Within

When you feel resistance to spending time with God, it’s a sign of two things:

1. You’re on the battlefield.

The tension you feel is evidence that you’re seeking God. If you were indifferent, there would be no battle at all.

2. You need God’s grace—not your strength.

The devotional I read recently beautifully explained this: only the grace of God can preserve us from the power of sin. Only His grace can help us remember His benefits and honor Him as the one essential source of our well-being.

In other words, you can’t win this fight on your own. And that’s okay, because God never intended you to.

If you want to better understand the spiritual forces at work in this struggle, check out our post on Spiritual Warfare: What It Is and What We Can Do About It. It’s a practical guide to recognizing the battle and equipping yourself with God’s tools to stand firm.

Put on The Full Armor God: (1) Belt of truth; (2) Breast plate of righteousness; (3) Shoes of Peace; (4) Shield of Faith; (5) Helmet of Salvation; (6) Sword of Spirit.

Steps to Overcome the Struggle

Here’s how you can begin to turn the tide in this battle:

1. Pray Honestly, Even in Weakness

You don’t need polished words. Sometimes all you can say is, “Lord, help me.” Romans 8:26 reminds us that the Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know what to pray. Tell God about your struggle—He already knows, and He cares.

2. Start Small

Instead of committing to an hour-long Bible study, start with a single verse. For example:

• Read Psalm 23:1: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

• Meditate on what it means to have God as your shepherd.

Small, consistent steps build momentum and rewire your mind to seek Him.

3. Remember the Flesh vs. the Spirit

The resistance you feel is your flesh rebelling against the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other."

Acknowledge that this is a normal part of the Christian walk—but don’t let it win.

• Play worship music to invite God’s presence.

• Take short prayer breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just to say, “Thank You, Lord, for being with me.”

4. Renew Your Mind with Truth

When negative thoughts creep in, combat them with Scripture:

• “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

• “He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion.” (Philippians 1:6)

God’s Word is a weapon in this battle—use it to remind yourself of His promises.

5. Invite Accountability

Share your struggle with a trusted friend or mentor. Sometimes, verbalizing the battle breaks its power. Ask them to pray with you and encourage you as you press forward.

6. Engage Your Body in Worship

If your physical discomfort mirrors your spiritual struggle, counter it with physical acts of worship:

• Kneel in prayer or lift your hands during worship.

• Take a walk while meditating on Scripture.

God created your body, soul, and spirit to work together—use your whole self to seek Him.

God’s Grace Is Greater

The most important truth to remember is that God’s love for you isn’t based on your performance. Romans 8:38-39 declares that nothing can separate us from His love, "neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord"—not even this struggle. The very fact that you’re fighting shows that you belong to Him.

Consider the prophet Jeremiah. He was called by God in the midst of great spiritual resistance, yet God’s promise to him was simple: “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:8). That promise is for you, too.

Reflection: Turning the Battle Into Victory

• Pray this simple prayer today:

“Lord, I want to want You more. Help me overcome this resistance. Give me the grace to seek You. Strengthen me by Your Spirit, and remind me that Your love is constant, even in my struggles. Amen.”

• Remember: Every small step toward God is a victory. Don’t despise small beginnings; God delights in them (Zechariah 4:10).

This is a season, not your story’s conclusion. Keep fighting the good fight—God is with you, and His grace is more than enough.

Share Your Story

Are you facing a similar battle? How has God helped you in your struggle to seek Him? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you and pray for you.

You’re not alone on this journey. Let’s walk together in His grace.

Biblical references are from the New International Version (NIV).