Evidence Of A Spiritual Realm
“What evidence is there of a spiritual realm?”The Bible teaches the existence of an immaterial, spiritual reality, unseen by human eyes. The physical reality is evident for all to see-although some doubt the existence of a material universe, too! The Bible says that the spiritual realm consists of both good-God and the holy angels
andevil-the devil and his demons.
Demons are most likely fallen angels who rebelled against God and were thrown out of heaven
Ezekiel 28:11ÔÇô1711 Then this further message came to me from the Lord: 12 "Son of man, sing this funeral song for the king of Tyre. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord:
"You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty.13 You were in Eden, the garden of God.Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone[a]– red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone, blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper, blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald-all beautifully crafted for you and set in the finest gold.They were given to youon the day you were created.14 I ordained and anointed youas the mighty angelic guardian.[]You had access to the holy mountain of Godand walked among the stones of fire.
15 "You were blameless in all you did from the day you were createduntil the day evil was found in you.16 Your rich commerce led you to violence, and you sinned.So I banished you in disgracefrom the mountain of God.I expelled you, O mighty guardian,from your place among the stones of fire.17 Your heart was filled with pridebecause of all your beauty.Your wisdom was corruptedby your love of splendour.So I threw you to the groundand exposed you to the curious gaze of kings.
Isaiah 14:12ÔÇô15
12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning!You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world.13 For you said to yourself, 'I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north.[a]14 I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.'15 Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths.
Revelation 12:7ÔÇô9
7 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. 9 This great dragon-the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world-was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.
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The Bible also teaches that humans were created by God in His image, which means we have a spiritual component
Genesis 1:27
27 So God created human beings[a] in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
We are more than physical entities; we possess a soul/spirit destined for eternity. Even though the spiritual realm is invisible to the physical eye, we are connected to it, and what goes on in the spiritual realm directly affects our physical world.In our culture, the most commonly accepted form of evidence for proving the existence of something is empirical evidence, which involves using the scientific method of observation and experimentation.
Is there empirical evidence for a spiritual realm?
It doesn't take much research before one realizes there is "evidence" both for and against the existence of a spiritual realm.
It comes down to which studies we decide to believe.The best, and most prevalent, evidence available proving that there is a spiritual realm is testimonial evidence.
We can look at the sheer number of religions around the world and the billions of people who focus their lives on the spiritual realm.
Why would so many people report encounters with the spiritual if it was'nt real?The best testimonial evidence for a spiritual realm is the Bible itself. Historians, both Christian and non-Christian, agree that the historical authenticity of the Bible is strong.
Jesus claimed to be God's Son, the One who came down from heaven.
He made this fact quite clear:
John 8:23
23 Jesus continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not.
The Bible recounts numerous encounters that people had with the spiritual realm.
Jesus cast demons out of people regularly, healed the sick by speaking to them,miraculously fedthousands of people, and spoke with people who died long ago: Moses and Elijah
Matthew 17:1ÔÇô3
Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. 2 As the men watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
These are all indicators that the spiritual realm is real.
“Do we need to be aware of the spiritual battle that is taking place around us?”It is crucial that every Christian understands that he/she is in a spiritual battle. There is no way to get out of it.
Awareness of the spiritual battle around us is very important.
Not only awareness, but vigilance, preparedness, courage and the right weaponry are crucial elements of engaging in spiritual warfare.In the words of Paul :
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. 4 [a]We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
It is clear that "our warfare" as Christians is spiritual.
We are not fighting a physical battle, not a human battle.
It is on a spiritual level ÔÇô spiritual enemies, spiritual prerogatives, spiritual fortresses and its weapons are all spiritual.
If we attempt to fight the spiritual with human weapons, we will fail and the enemy will be victorious.It is important to note that Paul is not speaking about battling demons here.
When Jesus and the apostles cast demons out, it was done together with, the other signs and wonders they demonstrated, primarily to prove the authority of what they said.
It was important at that time for God to give the apostles a powerful "proof" that the signs and wonders were indeed from Him and spoke for Him.
The trustworthiness of Scripture depends on the authority of the apostles, so God gave the apostles His power to endorse their teachings.
The point all along was to show that the ultimate authority ÔÇô and our ultimate spiritual weapon ÔÇô is Scripture.
So, although there are times when demons possess and attack human beings today and there are biblical instances of Jesus and the apostles casting demons out, the kind of spiritual battle that every Christian engages in is primarily and a battle of the mind.There are fortresses all around us in this world, made of "speculations" and "lofty things" that Paul spoke of in 2 Corinthians.
The word "speculations" is, in the Greek,logismos.
It means "ideas, concepts, reasoning's and philosophies."
People of the world build up these logismosto protect themselves against the truth of God.
Sadly, these fortresses often become prisons and eventually tombs.
Our calling as Christians is to break down these fortresses and rescue the inhabitants.
It is dangerous and difficult work, but we have a divine arsenal always at our disposal. Unfortunately, one of the enemy's best tricks is getting us to fight with human weapons rather than divine.Marketing techniques, counter-philosophies, persuasive words that come from human wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:4
4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.
They use rationalism, organization, skill, entertainment, mystique, better lighting, better music ÔÇô these are all human weapons.
None of these things will win the spiritual war. They are ineffective for bringing about true conversion, and they may even produce false conversions.
The only thing that is effective ÔÇô the only offensive weapon we possess ÔÇô is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
Ephesians 6:17
17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
This sword gives us the freedom we need as soldiers in this spiritual battle. .
We have freedom from fear, knowing that God is fighting for usand that He will not forsake us.
Joshua 1:7-9
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
We have freedom from guilt, knowing that we are not responsible for the souls of those who reject God's message after we have proclaimed it to them
Mark 6:11
11 But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate."
We have freedom from despair, knowing that if we are persecuted and hated, Jesus was persecuted and hated first
John 15:18
18 "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.
That our battle wounds will be richly and lovingly tended to in Heaven Matthew 5:1010 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.All of these freedoms come from using the powerful weapon of God
His Word.
If we use human weaponry to fight against the enemy's fortresses, we will sustain failures and disappointment, and even our victories will be unsure. Conversely, the victories of God are full of hope.
Hebrews 10:22-24
"Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful"
The hearts of those who hear and accept the true, full message of the gospel as given by the apostles are "sprinkled clean" and "washed with pure water." What is this water?
Ephesians 5:26
26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word.[a]
It is the Word of God that strengthens us as we fight
John 7:38
38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'"[a]
“Spiritual strongholds – what is the biblical view?”The wordstrongholdsis found once in the New Testament, used metaphorically by Paul in a description of the Christian's spiritual battle:
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
3 We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. 4 [a]We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
This passage reveals the following facts about our warfare:1) Our battle is not planned according to the way this world fights; earthly stratagems are not our concern.2) Our power comes from God alone.3) God's plan is to demolish spiritual strongholds.
4) Our weapons are not physical, for our warfare is spiritual in nature. Rather than guns and tanks, our weapons are those of the "full armor of God"Ephesians 6:14-17
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[a] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.What are these "strongholds" or "fortifications" we face?
In the very next verse, Paul interprets the metaphor:
2 Corinthians 10:5
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ"
The "arguments" are the philosophies, reasonings, and schemes of the world.
The "pretensions" have to do with anything proud, man-centered, and self-confident.Here's the picture:
The Christian, wearing his spiritual armor and bearing his spiritual weapons, sets out to "conquer" the world for Christ, but he soon finds obstacles.
The enemy has erected strongly fortified garrisons to resist the Truth and prevent God's plan of redemption.
There is the fortress of human reasoning, reinforced with many subtle arguments and the pretense of logic.
There is the castle of passion, with flaming battlements defended by lust, pleasure, and greed.
And then there is the pinnacle of pride, in which the human heart sits enthroned, overwhelmed in thoughts of its own excellence and sufficiency.The enemy is firmly entrenched; these strongholds have been guarded for thousands of years, presenting a great wall of resistance to the Truth. None of this must discourage the Christian warrior.
By using the weapons of God's choosing, he attacks the strongholds, and by the miraculous power of Christ, the walls are broken down, and the stronghold of sin and error are broken down.
The victorious Christian enters the ruins and captures, every false theory and every human philosophy that claims that we don't need God.If this sounds a lot like Joshua fighting the battle of Jericho, you're right. What a great illustration of spiritual truth that story is (Joshua 6)!Sharing the gospel is not the only time we see resistance.
We can also face demonic strongholds in our own lives, in our families, and even in our churches.
Anyone who has fought an addiction, struggled with pride, or had to "flee youthful lusts" knows that sin, a lack of faith, and a worldly outlook on life are indeed "strongholds."The Lord is building His Church, He told Peter
Matthew 16:18
18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'),[a] and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell[] will not conquer it.
What we need are Christian soldiers, totally surrendered to the will of the Lord of Hosts, who will use the spiritual weapons He provides
Psalm 20:7
7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.Protect Yourself Spiritually
He will… oppress the… people of the Most High…
Daniel 7:25
25 He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.
Satan uses two strategies.
First, ‘he will defy the Most High.’ Satan will always attack God’s plan, God’s principles and God’s people, so be on guard!
Second, ‘he will… oppress the… people of the Most High.’ Weariness is a weapon satan will use against you. When you’re worn out, you’re vulnerable. At that point temptation can lead to compromise, compromise to indulgence, and indulgence to defeat. ‘14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ....make no provision for the flesh‘ Romans 13:14
Don’t give satan an inch or he will take a mile. Your mind is where the real attack takes place.
The Bible warns you to be careful, ‘…lest you become weary and faint in your mind’ (Hebrews 12:3).
Satan will wear you down in order to wipe you out, so you must take time to replenish your strength in God’s presence.
It’s easy to get caught up in the work and the things of the Lord, and not spend time with the Lord of the things. Jesus said, ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it… I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live…’(Matthew 11:28-30 TM).
When you commit yourself to doing God’s will, God’s way, in God’s strength, you don’t wear out. You’re fulfilled, you stay in balance, and you overcome the stress and anxiety of this world. And that’s how God wants you to live.
This was just an interlude to our next study where we will look in detail and study the armor that we need to protect us as Christians against theattacks and strategies of the devil.
Ephesians 6:13-17
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[d] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.( Or For shoes, put on the readiness to preach the Good News of peace with God.
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. (Greek the evil one.)17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.