When the Enemy Gets Loud
No one really tells you that when you start drawing closer to God, the spiritual warfare gets heavier. People talk about the peace you gain, the comfort, the clarity, and the little ways your heart begins to soften, but not everyone talks about the sudden heaviness that shows up out of nowhere. You start praying more, reading more, or simply talking to God throughout your day, and then it feels like everything gets harder. The doubt creeps in. The confusion hits. The thoughts get louder. And it becomes so easy to wonder if God is the one letting this happen or even causing it. But He is not the author of confusion. First Corinthians 14:33 says exactly that. The closer you get to God, the louder the enemy gets, and that is not a sign of divine punishment. It is a sign of spiritual resistance.
One of the clearest ways to tell the difference between God and the enemy is by paying attention to the tone. God’s voice brings a steady calm, even in correction. The enemy’s voice brings shame, panic, and hopelessness. Romans 8:1 says there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ. So when your thoughts are harsh, discouraging, or leave you feeling like you should hide from God, that is not Him speaking. God’s correction feels like a gentle hand guiding you back to safety. The enemy tries to convince you that you are too far gone to come home. God never says that. He calls you back every single time.
The enemy loves to target people who are growing. When you are stuck in old patterns or drifting spiritually, he does not have much to worry about. But the moment you start intentionally seeking God, the attacks intensify. It is not because you are failing. It is because you are becoming more spiritually aware and more spiritually dangerous to the enemy’s plans. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our battles are not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. So when things feel heavy for no reason, when anxiety spikes, or when your mind suddenly becomes a battlefield, remind yourself that resistance is often a sign of breakthrough.
If you find yourself wondering whether God is against you, the first thing to do is return to what scripture says about His character. Psalm 34:18 says He is close to the brokenhearted. Joshua 1:9 says He is with you wherever you go. John 10:10 says the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus comes to give life in fullness. These verses anchor your mind when your emotions try to lie to you. When the thoughts feel chaotic or fearful, stop and whisper, “Lord, if this is not from You, remove it.” He listens. He responds. He comforts.
You can also speak truth out loud. Saying “I reject this in Jesus’ name” is powerful. The enemy hates being recognized. Lies lose their grip when they are confronted with truth. Paying attention to the fruit of a thought also helps. Anything that produces peace, gentleness, clarity, or patience reflects God. Anything that produces fear, confusion, guilt, or despair reflects the enemy. God will never tear you down to teach you. His correction is loving. His presence is safe.
You are not being attacked because God is disappointed in you. You are being attacked because you are growing into the person He has always known you could be. The enemy wants the old version of you who did not pray, who did not seek, who did not fight for her relationship with God. But that version of you is fading. You are learning His voice. You are learning to notice the difference. You are learning to reach for God even when your thoughts are loud and your heart feels tired. And that is proof that you are not failing. You are maturing. You are becoming steady. You are becoming strong. The enemy sees that and tries to intimidate you, but Isaiah 54:17 promises that no weapon formed against you will succeed.
You are safe with God. You are held by God. And you are not walking through spiritual warfare because God has turned away. You are walking through it because He is shaping you into someone who knows how to stand firm. You are loved. You are protected. And heaven sees your effort even when you feel overwhelmed. God is not hurting you. He is guiding you. Trust that truth when the enemy gets loud.
