5 Phrases That Could Mean You're Under Spiritual Attack

My Art of Vision
Jul 26
5 min read

Updated: Aug 2

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"This didn’t just start—you’ve been battling this for a while. I noticed something was different.”

My husband said those words with love, and they stuck with me.

I began reflecting on how I had slowly drifted away from the things I once loved—blogging, vending my planners, teaching, even posting. The passion was gone. And it wasn’t just about business.

I wasn’t happy with anything. I buried myself in distractions and avoided talking about what was really happening. Every time my husband asked about my business, I shut down.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I’d say.

Looking back, I now see I was quietly walking away—and it wasn’t just burnout. It was a spiritual attack.

I never told my husband, but I was struggling with toxic thoughts:

“Your planner isn’t enough.”

“No one cares.”

“Just give up.”

I didn’t recognize it then, but I had stopped everything, waiting to “hear from God.”

Two years passed.

Woman sitting at a table with a dark figure behind her — When the enemy sneaks in unoticed

The Enemy’s Strategy: Quiet, Subtle, and Distracting

Now, I can clearly see the enemy’s strategy—quiet and subtle. His goal? To keep us from our calling. He doesn’t always come loudly. Sometimes, he sneaks in, unnoticed, until the damage is done.

Because I was comfortable, I missed the warning signs. It felt like my choice—but time slipped away. If you find yourself repeating these statements, you might be under spiritual attack.

Woman sitting on floor looking down — When Procrastination Becomes a Trap

1. “I’m waiting on the Lord”

The Enemy Wants You to Procrastinate

Procrastinate: to delay or postpone something.

As Christians, we often fear making mistakes or going the wrong way. So we say, “I’m waiting on the Lord.” We wait for signs or a voice to validate us—and end up stuck.

Seeking God’s direction is wise. But sometimes, that phrase masks fear. We’re afraid to step out in faith, so we use “waiting” as a spiritual excuse to avoid action.

The enemy loves this. He feeds our desire for control and certainty, quietly keeping us stagnant. But true waiting on God is active, not passive.

When you avoid movement, fear grows. The longer you hesitate, the harder it becomes to obey. This isn’t about ignoring God’s voice—it’s about asking yourself:

Is it God holding me back, or is it fear?

Remember: faith without works is dead.

Maybe God isn’t the one you're waiting on—maybe He’s waiting on you.

Woman sitting in couch doing nothing — When Stagnation Steals Your Momentum

“I don't feel like it.”

The Enemy Wants You Stagnant

Meaning: not advancing, inactive, moving slowly

Being led by your feelings can lead to disappointment—because feelings are temporary. They might validate how you feel in the moment, but as Christians, we’re called to walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

If “I don’t feel like it” becomes your default response, comfort can become your prison. The enemy uses this tactic to keep you inactive—stuck in the same routine, avoiding growth.

This is a ploy to not reach the destiny that God has for you.

Ask yourself:

"Am I living by faith, or by feelings?"

Don’t let your feelings rule you.

Comfort is not your calling.

Faith moves—even when you don’t feel like it.

Black woman looking away in window — When Isolation Fuels Depression

“Nobody gets it.” or “Nobody cares.”

The Enemy Wants You Depressed

Meaning: Low in spirit, unhappy, with loss of interest

The enemy is always looking for ways to isolate us—and what better way than embedding a simple lie that no one understands you or cares about you?

This type of lie positions you in self-reliance and lowers your self-esteem. Words like “nobody,” “everybody,” “always,” and “never” are absolutes—and absolutes are rarely true and creates polorized thinking.

But these types of thoughts are skewed and not rooted in truth.

The enemy doesn’t stop at words—he uses imagery and experiences to support the lie. The Bible calls them “vain imaginations.” And over time, these imaginations become strongholds—mental traps that pull you into a low place.

Depression doesn’t just show up. It builds—layer by layer—with feelings and beliefs like low self-worth, negative self-talk, people-pleasing, and withdrawal. It’s all part of the enemy’s web of lies.

But the truth is:

You are loved—deeply and personally—by God.

He understands you more than anyone ever could.

Don’t accept the lie. Recognize the trap.

And remind yourself: God sees you, and He cares.

Woman with too much food in front of her — When Addiction Creeps In

“This will be my last time.”

The Enemy Wants You Addicted

Meaning: Dependency on a substance or lack of self-control toward something

A lie we may tell ourselves often when we’re fighting a bad habit is: “This will be my last time.” However, it never is.

The enemy entices us into believing we’re in control—that this moment is harmless, and we’ll never return to it. We assume it’s a final farewell, but then the craving hits, and just like that, we’re pulled back into an endless cycle of dependency that slowly becomes addiction.

This is an attack on your dominion—your ability to govern yourself.

The enemy knows that if you are stuck in addiction, you can be distracted by it. And it doesn’t stop there—if left unchecked it can lead you into the very things we’ve already talked about: depression, stagnation, and procrastination.

If you keep saying “this is the last time” but can’t seem to follow through, something deeper may be happening. You may not realize it, but addiction could be forming—or may have already taken root.

Here’s the truth: you don’t have to stay stuck.

Freedom is possible—and it starts with acknowledment and surrender.

Woman overwhelmed with paperwork at her desk — When Busyness Becomes a Burden

“If I don’t do it, who will?”

The Enemy Wants You Overwhelmed and Busy.

Meaning: Buried or drowned beneath a huge mass

This statement leans into the belief that you’re the only one who can get it done. Instead of delegating or letting things go, the enemy convinces you that the task is too important to pass on and that you’re the best—maybe even the only—person for the job.

And just like that, you’re left feeling overwhelmed.

The enemy uses this mindset—and busyness—to wear you down. To keep you tired, stressed, and buried in tasks that don’t always truly matter.

It’s a trap.

Because when you're constantly drained by things that aren’t eternal, you end up with no time, no energy, and no peace for the things that actually do—especially the things of God.

Truth is: Not everything is that important. Things can get done, even if you are not the one to do it.