Christmas Day is magical, isn’t it? Lights twinkle, laughter fills the air, and we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. But as December 25th passes, we often find ourselves stepping back into the realities of life—conflicts, stress, and battles that feel far removed from the joy of Christmas morning.

And yet, the spiritual battle doesn’t take a holiday. In fact, as Priscilla Shirer aptly puts it, “If I were your enemy, I’d disguise myself and manipulate your perspectives so that you’d focus on the wrong culprit.” What a sobering reminder!

How often do we fall into this trap? A sharp word from a loved one, unexpected financial strain, or an unresolved hurt begins to boil over. Before we know it, we’re fighting. Fighting with our spouse, our kids, our circumstances—or maybe even with ourselves. But the truth is, those aren’t the real enemies.

Identifying the True Enemy

Scripture is clear about who we’re really up against:

“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.”
(Ephesians 6:12, NIV)

The enemy thrives on our misplaced focus. If he can keep us tangled in conflict with people, finances, or circumstances, we’ll never direct our energy where it truly matters—toward fighting him and clinging to Christ.

Think about how Jesus responded when tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He didn’t lash out at His circumstances or question God’s provision. Instead, He fought back with Scripture, reminding us of the power in God’s Word.

Reclaiming Your Peace

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, angry, or hurt, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself: Where is my focus? Am I fixating on the obvious, convenient “culprits,” or am I discerning the deeper spiritual battle at play?

God calls us to step back from the chaos and seek His perspective. As 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 reminds us:

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

The enemy wants us to believe the lie that fighting with others, or even within ourselves, will bring resolution. But the battle is won not in fighting harder, but in surrendering to God, standing firm in His truth, and allowing His peace to guard our hearts (Philippians 4:7).

Practical Steps to Fight Spiritually

1. Start Your Day with Prayer
   Before your feet hit the floor, ask God to open your eyes to His perspective. Pray for wisdom to discern the enemy’s schemes and strength to respond with grace.
2. Meditate on Scripture
   Just as Jesus wielded God’s Word in the wilderness, we can use Scripture to combat lies and redirect our focus. Passages like Ephesians 6:10-18 (the armor of God) and Psalm 91 offer powerful reminders of God’s protection.
3. Refuse to Take the Bait
   When tensions rise, remind yourself who the real enemy is. Instead of reacting in anger, pause, breathe, and ask God for the patience and peace to respond in love.
4. Speak Life Over Your Circumstances
   Replace words of frustration with declarations of faith. Speak God’s promises over your marriage, finances, health, and relationships.
5. Remember the Victory Is Already Won
   Through Jesus, the battle has already been won. When you feel weak, rest in His strength and claim the victory He’s secured for you.

As we move forward from Christmas, let’s not lose sight of the joy and peace that Jesus came to bring. The battle may rage on, but we are not alone. With God as our defender, we can fight the right fight, rooted in His truth and love.

So, next time you feel the temptation to strike out, pause and remember: the fight isn’t against your loved ones, your circumstances, or even yourself. It’s a spiritual battle, and the greatest weapon we have is surrendering it all to God.

Let’s step into the new year armed with peace, purpose, and His promises. The battle continues, but so does His faithfulness.