Are you writing a book and wondering what in the world is going on? Are you experiencing intense spiritual warfare? Then, welcome to the club!
In today’s scope, I shared that if you want to write a book or have a book idea, I believe it’s usually God who put that inspiration into your heart. Then when you step out to do it, all hell seems to break loose against you! This is because of spiritual warfare.
The Bible teaches us that Satan is the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) He doesn’t want you writing that book and sharing the message or story God put inside of you, and he’ll do everything he can to hinder or stop it.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”–Ephesians 6:12, NKJV
You will experience this spiritual warfare:
- before you start writing the book. You’ll battle many fears (especially fear of rejection, thinking nobody will like or buy your book, people will hate it, you have nothing important to say, this is stupid, who are you to write a book, etc.), perfectionism, procrastination, etc. Every writer I know struggles with all of this. It’s the enemy resisting you. He doesn’t want you to write a book and will do all he can to try to stop you. Do it anyway, for God’s glory. It’s time to write your book! And if you haven’t started writing your book, there’s still time before 2016 arrives!
- as you’re writing the book. You’ll encounter many distractions such as social media, chores, errands, people calling you on the phone (I let mine go to voice mail), family crises, laziness, and the perfectionism, procrastination, and lies of the enemy again. Satan will do whatever he can to hinder or stop you from finishing the book. Last week, my former client and friend Stephanie Carter wanted to just delete her book file as she battled thoughts like, “You think you are a writer? You have nothing to say,” etc. Stephanie has many, many books inside of her and I can’t wait to read them! I told her this morning that I’ve felt this way every time I write a book. You just have to rebuke Satan and keep pressing through to victory. If your book wasn’t a threat to him somehow, he wouldn’t mess with you.
- when you’re launching the book and after launch. My client from last year and friend Dana Arcuri is experiencing intense spiritual warfare right now as she’s launching her third book, more than any other she’s written. I believe that just means God has big plans for the book, satan senses it, and he’s fighting it. God will have his way. You might experience an all-out demonic attack, like I did in the weeks preceding and during the launch of my book, The Hands of a Woman: Everyday Women in Everyday Battles, when I uploaded it recently as an eBook on Amazon for Kindle. Three weeks prior to and during the book launch, I was falsely accused and attacked by some people. I finally realized what was happening. My book’s topic is spiritual warfare, so no surprise! The book is now available for sale in print and on Amazon. God has the final say! Satan can’t stop what God is trying to do. “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”–Isaiah 55:11, ESV
If you are wanting to write or finish a book, and are encountering spiritual warfare, realize that you’re not alone. It’s actually normal! The enemy Satan doesn’t want you to write or publish that book. Keep writing. Don’t stop until you finish.
Keep on your armor each day. Stay in a posture of prayer and study God’s word each day, because the Bible is your greatest weapon against the enemy. (Hebrews 4:12) It is the weapon Jesus used in the wilderness when Satan tempted him. (Matthew 4:1-11) Ask intercessors to pray for you and cover you. (Philippians 1:19; Ephesians 6:18)
The battle belongs to the Lord. (1 Samuel 17:47) God will help you and you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:37)
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