Spiritual Warfare: 'Discerning Human Desires from Spiritual Promptings'

God's Power for Our Battles — Saturday, August 15, 2026

Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the people of Israel — from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north — and bring me a report so I may know how many there are. … God was very displeased with the census, and he punished Israel for it.
— 1 Chronicles 21:1-2,7 NLT

Today's Prayer

Lord, I know David was a man after Your own heart, yet he acted in this instance on a prompting from Satan. Please don’t let me fall into this kind of trap, mistaking Satan’s urges for Your Spirit’s promptings. Help me to hear Your voice and know it’s You. Help me to know which path to take each and every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of 1 Chronicles 21:1-2,7 NLT — Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the people of Israel — from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north — and bring me a report so I may know how many there are. … God was very displeased with the census, and he punished Israel for it.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, August 15, 2026

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Ezekiel 36:26
"A heart of flesh is known by its tenderness concerning sin. To have indulged a foul imagination, or to have allowed a wild desire to tarry even for a...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Time Has Come' (Jn. 4:23-24)
"[Jesus said,] "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Romans 14:8
"If we live, we live to the Lord: and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'I Can Never Stop' (Ps. 71:7-8)
"My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all....."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

More Spiritual Warfare