How to Discern Spiritual Attacks on Your Children
As Christian parents, we are called not only to nurture our children’s minds and bodies but to spiritually guard their hearts and souls. In today’s world, spiritual warfare doesn’t wait until adulthood. Attacks begin early, and often subtly. As a mother and believer, I’ve witnessed firsthand how children can be targeted spiritually through people, environments, media, and even objects.
Here are some key signs to help you discern if your child may be under spiritual attack and how to begin protecting them in faith and wisdom.
1. Notice Sudden, Unexplained Changes in Behavior
Children are naturally growing and changing, but if your child suddenly becomes anxious, angry, fearful, or withdrawn with no clear reason, take it seriously.
One of the most alarming signs of spiritual warfare is a sudden change in your child’s spirit, a once joyful child becoming angry, depressed, rebellious, or unusually quiet. Don’t just write it off as a phase. These shifts may be the fruit of spiritual oppression, soul ties, or exposure to unhealthy influences.
Recurring nightmares
Sudden, irrational fears or discomfort without clear cause
Persistent headaches or fevers with no medical explanation
Fatigue or feeling unwell without diagnosis
Behavioral shifts, such as withdrawal, irritability, or loss of interest in things they once enjoyed
Sometimes, children will even tell you outright that they are seeing things or sensing a presence. Take them seriously. Look into it prayerfully and practically.
Children are sensitive to the spiritual realm. Nightmares, night terrors, or fear of the dark can be signs of spiritual intrusion.
Teach your child to pray over their mind before sleeping. You can even anoint their room with oil, holy water and declare the presence of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual atmosphere matters.
Ask yourself:
Is this tied to something physical or environmental?
Or does it feel spiritual, like an invisible cloud following them?
Don’t ignore the check in your spirit. It’s God prompting you to go deeper.
2.Teach Children to Be Spiritually Aware
Children, especially little ones, are highly sensitive and spiritually open. That’s why it's so important to teach them:
Not to accept food or drink from just anyone—even if it’s from family or close friends.
To be cautious about who they trust, and to always listen to their instincts when something doesn’t feel right.
That their body and spirit are sacred, and not to allow just anyone to touch their hair or lay hands on their head.
Let me be clear, I’ve lived this.
When I was an adult, I had an experience with my ex-mother-in-law that changed how I viewed these warnings. After an argument with her son, she came to my home with homemade croquettes. Something felt off. They didn’t look like they had any meat filling, and when I bit into one, I found a large wooden splinter inside. I didn’t swallow it, thank God, but despite that warning sign, I still continued contact for a time. I was spiritually vulnerable, and I ignored my discernment.
We must teach our children not to make the same mistake.
If an adult can fall into a trap like that, how much more susceptible are our children? Around the world, stories abound of food, gifts, and touch used as spiritual entry points, whether knowingly or unknowingly.
3. Watch for Attacks on Identity and Worth, Addictions and Mental Strongholds
For teens, signs of spiritual bondage may appear as:
Addictions (alcohol, drugs, pornography)
Uncontrollable anger, depression, or self-harm
Eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia
Hatred, despair, or suicidal thoughts
These are not just emotional or mental issues, many are rooted in spiritual attacks on the mind. The enemy wants to steal identity, distort God’s image, and lead children into self-destruction.
The enemy begins early, planting lies about who your child is.
Statements like:
“I’m stupid.”
“Nobody likes me.”
“I wish I weren’t here.”
These are not just emotional outbursts. These can be signs of internal warfare. Begin speaking truth out loud: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God has a purpose for your life. You are deeply loved.”
Words break curses. Scripture restores identity.
4. Discern Worldly Influences That Open Doors
Be alert to what your child watches, listens to, or engages in.
Some shows, games, or apps seem innocent but carry spiritual weight, normalizing rebellion, witchcraft, violence, or emotional numbness. These are open doors.
You don’t have to parent in fear. But you do need to parent with discernment. Be Spirit-led, not culture-led.
5. Objects Can Carry Energy: Be Discerning
Be extremely cautious about what your children accept from others—especially jewelry, charms, or sentimental items.
I’ll never forget a moment from my teenage years. I had gone to visit my father in Miami at age 15, and a woman he worked with came by unannounced. She knew I was visiting and insisted on giving me her recently deceased daughter’s diamond tennis bracelet. Her daughter had been ill from unknown reasons. (Obviously my father being from the Caribbean, immediately knew it must be some witchcraft or curse involved). The woman even insisted on putting it on my wrist. In my ignorance I was ecstatic. My father waited until she left, then yelled at me to take it off immediately. We drove to Miami-Dade Beach and threw it into the water. I was upset in the moment but now I am thankful.
We must understand that jewelry and heirlooms are some of the most common carriers of energetic attachments. We must teach our children to be discerning, to pray over items, and to not feel obligated to accept everything offered to them, no matter how kind it seems on the surface.
6. Avoid Occult Influence at All Costs
Children and teens who dabble in the occult, whether out of curiosity or peer influence, are opening spiritual doors that can impact not just themselves, but everyone in their home. That includes:
Watching vulgar, sexually charged, or violent media
Experimenting with spellwork, divination, or “harmless” rituals
Engaging with certain games, books, or content that glamorize magic or spiritual manipulation
I’ve been there. I had owned and used tarot cards for some time. During the most intense part of my own spiritual warfare, I cut off all my hair, burned the cards, and let the ashes float down the river behind my home. Why? Because I finally understood the closer you walk with God, the more you realize that you don’t need external tools to know see in the spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide you from within. It will teach you discernment, warn you, and confirm everything you need to know about people and whatever is happening around you.
7. Notice Resistance to Prayer or the Things of God
If your child suddenly resists going to church, avoids prayer, or mocks spiritual things they once respected, don’t just chalk it up to a phase. This may be a battle over their soul’s alignment.
Don’t force. Intercede. Fast if needed. Create space for quiet conversation, not control. Pray in the Spirit, and trust God to break what you cannot see.
8. Ask God: “Show Me What I Can’t See”
Sometimes, we’re too close to recognize the battle.
Take time in stillness and ask the Holy Spirit directly:
“Lord, is there a spiritual attack on my child? Show me what’s going on behind the surface.”
God honors that prayer. He will reveal.
Final thoughts
Lastly, we must become intercessors, not just instructors. Anoint your children. Pray over their rooms. Be aware of what enters your home through media, people, and even gifts. The spiritual realm is real, and children are not exempt.
You are their spiritual covering. Your awareness, prayer, and protection can make the difference between bondage and freedom.
The enemy wants to destroy our children’s futures before they even know how to fight back. But he has no authority that we don’t give him. We are their first line of spiritual defense.
So don’t panic, pray. Don’t condemn cover.
Don’t fight in the flesh, war in the Spirit.
And remember God sees your children. He loves them even more than you do. And His power to deliver, restore, and protect is unmatched.
