Spiritual warfare is not just about casting out devils or fighting unseen forces; it is first and foremost a battle for the soul. The enemy’s primary strategy is to capture a person's will, which he achieves by attacking their mind and emotions.
This post explores the operations of the soul, how Satan attempts to gain control, and why every believer must count the cost before entering into true spiritual warfare.
The Soul: The True Battleground
The human soul consists of three interconnected parts:
- Mind – where we think, reason, and imagine.
- Emotions – where we feel, desire, and connect.
- Will – where we choose, surrender, and obey.
The enemy does not need to control your body or your environment; he only needs access to your will. Once your will aligns with his suggestion, sin and disobedience follow.
Genesis: The First War for the Soul
Eve – Deception Through the Mind
In Genesis 3:1–6, the serpent didn’t begin with Eve’s will; he began with her mind.
“Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1)
He sowed doubt, then introduced logic that seemed reasonable. “The tree is good for food, pleasing to the eye, and desirable to make one wise...” (v.6)
Her reasoning began to override obedience. That’s how her will was captured—through thought manipulation.
Adam – Surrender Through the Emotions
Adam was not deceived (1 Timothy 2:14). He made a choice, driven by emotional connection.
His love and attachment to Eve outweighed his loyalty to God. He chose relationship over obedience.
Emotional influence led to spiritual surrender.
Satan’s Real Target: The Will
Every temptation, trial, or manipulation the enemy presents has one end goal: to gain authority over your will.
The mind and emotions are the access points. If Satan can dominate either, your will can be bent toward disobedience.
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
The Art of Spiritual Warfare: Count the Cost
Jesus gave a profound warning in Luke 14:
“Which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost… Or what king, going to make war, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able...” (Luke 14:28, 31)
Before engaging in spiritual warfare, before fighting for others or standing in prayer, ask yourself:
What parts of your soul are still vulnerable?
The Enemy Can Use:
- Your family – fear of losing loved ones
- Your children – emotional attachment
- Your reputation – pride and shame
- Your finances – anxiety and greed
- Your ministry or calling – identity and pressure
- Your dreams or relationships – disappointment or compromise
Whatever holds your heart tightly can be used against you. You must lay it all down before God. What you withhold becomes a weapon the enemy will use.
“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me…” (Matthew 10:37)
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
Examples of Captured Souls in Scripture
1. Peter – Fear Captured His Will (Luke 22:54–62)
Peter loved Jesus. Yet in a moment of fear, his emotions overpowered his loyalty. He denied Christ three times, not because he stopped believing, but because fear ruled his soul.
2. Ananias & Sapphira – Mind Deceived by Greed (Acts 5:1–11)
They reasoned that partial obedience was enough. Greed and pride warped their logic. Their minds were captured, and their will followed.
3. King Saul – People-Pleasing Over Obedience (1 Samuel 15:24)
“I feared the people and obeyed their voice.” Saul’s emotions—his need to be liked—caused him to rebel against God’s command. His will was captured by emotional pressure.
Warfare for Others: Intercession for the Soul
If you’re a minister, leader, intercessor, or a spiritual gatekeeper over others, understand this:
The real fight is for their soul.
Pray Specifically:
- For their mind – that truth will expose deception (2 Corinthians 10:4–5)
- For their emotions – that trauma, fear, and attachments are healed (2 Timothy 1:7)
- For their will – that they are strengthened to choose God’s way (Philippians 2:13)
This is the true battleground. Souls are not won by shouting alone, but by spiritual precision and surrender.
Living by the Spirit, Not the Soul
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)
Your soul is meant to follow, not lead. If your decisions are being made from emotional highs or mental logic apart from God's Spirit, then your will is in danger.
Train yourself to discern:
- Is this choice led by emotion, intellect, or the Spirit?
- Am I making this decision from fear, pride, or pressure?
Has my will been surrendered to God today?
Prayer of Surrender
“Father, I surrender my soul to You, my mind, my emotions, and my will. Every relationship, possession, fear, and ambition that could be used against me in battle, I place into Your hands. Strengthen me for the war ahead. Teach me to guard the gates of my soul, and lead me by Your Spirit in every decision. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Conclusion: True Power Begins With Surrender
Victory in spiritual warfare is not about how loud you shout; it’s about how surrendered you are.
The soul is precious, but vulnerable. The enemy studies what can emotionally move you or mentally deceive you.
If he can’t get to your will directly, he’ll go through your thoughts or your feelings. But when your will is anchored in the Spirit, you are truly free.
Guard it.
Fight for it.
Pray over it.
Because the soul is where wars are won or lost.
Comments
The day you accept to be a believer in Christ, you walk into a spiritual warfare known or unknown to you. When a man accepts Jesus as his Lord and Saviour, he has voluntarily subjected himself to be under the authority of Jesus Christ like being in a military formation, he has been drafted into the army of the lord, fighting His enemy the devil called Satan. The believer comes under the laws, ordinances and teachings of a new master, the captain of his soul who demands discipline and obedience all the time to his words. Discipline : The corporate entity of God's kingdom under christ incorporates total obedience to God's word shrouded in discipline. Mathew 28:20. "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...." whatsoever that the Lord Jesus commanded and taught must be observed even unto death for a disciplined believer. So was the commandment of His Father to Him and now Him to all who believes in Him The battle for soul is ruthless in Satan's kingdom. His emblem is Kill, Steal and Destroy. Death in this battle for souls between God's kingdom and Satan's kingdom is weaponized. The fearful and weak but lofty in heart, the devil effectively controls and coax them with riches, fame and good life just for their personal selfish gains that may not benefit family members even shorten their lives in exchange for their miserable souls. However, for the disciplined believer and disciple in God's kingdom, death is delineated and certain. The bridge is broken behind and there is no going back, it is a forgone conclusion. Riches, fame and whatever good life are only gotten in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6, 19. The lord will supply to all who believes in Him, His riches; plenty of spiritual riches like what He gave to Paul and other apostles. They were so rich to the extent that the dead were raised back to life. All their riches were given and shared with the poor. Restoration of life and health to the sick and weary and much more salvation. Since the times of Adam, Gods utterances of death to Adam and Eve was being fulfilled in all humans living. Genesis 3:3 "But of the fruits of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said ye shall not eat of it neither shall ye touch it, lest you die." This utterances does not expire even though, it was not given to Adam and Eve on a coded list of laws. Death is the separation from God's glory in all its ramifications and nakedness was part of it. Nakedness is the first step to experience in that journey of dying and death. As babies in the mother's womb are covered up in her and not seen by human eyes yet alive until they are delivered and separated from her body, they are born and still alive but naked until they are washed and clothed with their little clothes so are we in God and Christ. Whatever we are in Christ, we are covered up in His glory and light and so shall we ever be as long as we are in Him.
When sin and disobedience comes in, instantly, His presence leaves and we are separated into this hatch environment of stacked reality of no covering yet alive. God has to make Adam and Eve clothes in their naked state. They have been born into this physical world by separation from His spiritual presence by sin though, created and kept in the garden. Being naked was not death but the beginning to becoming death because the physical body now exposed to the elements of the world corrupts the body. The actual death came to Adam according to God's program and all human who proceeded from him has experienced death till now. Gods laws must stand therefore, Satan's threats of killing or mentioning death to his victims is nothing to go by but mere formalities. What matters in this battle between our lord Jesus and Satan over our souls is the second death. The first experience of death to every believer must be for the sake of christ, righteousness and holy living in the army of christ ( Mathew 10: 39) and all who dies outside christ shall have their part with Satan in the lake of fire and hell. (Revelation 19: 20; 20: 15), In conclusion, my understanding of Satan's lectures to Eve about the benefits outlined by him without stating the consequences also should make the believers weary of every action and steps he desires to take in this life for the sake of Eternity. Surely, whatever riches and glory a man desires will be shortlived. Therefore, every pleasure he sorts after legitimately or otherwise his intentions and purpose are before God and Satan observing him, will he make the right move or the wrong. Job ( 2:3 - 6). The benefits and consequences of our actions and desires should be greatly weighed and rehearsed step by step all the time as if we are in an examination hall as there is no second chance once we are out of this body and certified dead. For a disciplined believer, his goal is Jesus and Jesus only. If he finds his other pleasures in Jesus, that's okay and fine - Education, marriage, career etc. that's beautiful and where he cannot find them in Jesus, he backs off and does not return there for a second consideration. The disciplined believer should remain contented in christ to meet all his need like the unborn baby in the mother's womb happy and kicking, satisfied to be alive and safe from Satan's clutches.