The Reality of the Supernatural and the Authority of the Believer

There is a supernatural realm that is very real, and it interacts with our daily lives more than we often realize. The Apostle Paul clearly teaches this in Ephesians 6:12:

“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.”

We are not just dealing with circumstances or people—we are engaged in a spiritual conflict. The Bible also warns us not to be ignorant of Satan’s schemes. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2:11:

“Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

We cannot afford selective hearing when it comes to Scripture. We must embrace the full counsel of God’s Word and discern spiritually what is occurring around us.

Evangelist Todd White has taught that when Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), He was acknowledging a deeper reality—that people are often influenced by unseen spirits. Todd notes that if people truly understood the spiritual forces they were under, they might never have acted the way they did. This aligns with the possibility that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” in 2 Corinthians 12:7 could have been a demonic messenger sent to torment him, not merely a physical ailment. It shows how spiritual opposition can manifest through people and circumstances.

Author and minister Jennifer Eivaz also teaches that many physical ailments can have spiritual roots. While not all sickness is demonic in origin, she urges believers to discern spiritually and not dismiss the possibility. Jesus consistently dealt with both healing and deliverance in His ministry (Matthew 4:24, Luke 13:11–13). She also points out that certain regions or cities can have a dominant sin issue—often reflecting the presence of a ruling principality over that area (Daniel 10:13 shows such territorial spirits).

As someone gifted to see in the spirit, I can personally attest that demons actively work to oppress people. They whisper lies, temptations, and accusations, hoping to gain legal access through open doors—whether through sin, trauma, or deception. If allowed, they can establish strongholds in the soul (2 Corinthians 10:4–5). These are real battles, not imaginary or metaphorical. For those who are highly analytical, this may be difficult to grasp unless God opens their spiritual eyes (see 2 Kings 6:17, where Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened to see the angelic army).

The enemy is subtle and strategic. He has used trickery from the beginning (Genesis 3:1). Sometimes he roars like a lion to intimidate us (1 Peter 5:8), other times he operates in total silence, deceiving people into believing he doesn’t exist. But God has given us His Word to open the eyes of our understanding (Ephesians 1:18). Jesus, in His earthly ministry, continually cast out demons, revealing that this is part of normal kingdom activity—not a fringe doctrine (Mark 1:39, Luke 4:41).

Even natural events can carry spiritual implications. One example is the storm that struck the boat carrying Jesus and the disciples (Mark 4:35–41). Many believe this was not just a random storm, but a demonic attempt to stop them from reaching the other side, where Jesus would deliver the demoniac in the region of the Gerasenes. The disciples doubted the word of Jesus when He said they were going to the other side, and He rebuked the storm with authority. This shows the importance of standing firm in the word of God and exercising our spiritual authority.

We must be careful not to tolerate what God has given us power to overcome. Sometimes we mislabel spiritual attacks as aging, coincidence, or fate. Jesus gave us authority to cast out demons, heal the sick, and trample on serpents and scorpions (Luke 10:19). If we do not rise in that authority, we may remain in unnecessary bondage.

Some forms of deception are obvious—such as tarot cards, psychics, and witchcraft—but others come cloaked in Christian language. Angel numbers, manifesting, and energy healing may sound spiritual, but they are rooted in the New Age and the occult. As believers, we must test the spirits (1 John 4:1) and avoid anything that opens demonic doors. What may seem harmless can be spiritually destructive.

I once encountered a man who had come out of a Mesopotamian religion. As he sat with a Christian family, a demon literally manifested, waved at me, and returned into his body. It was a vivid reminder that the ties people make before coming to Christ can still give demons legal ground—until they are renounced and broken. Demons are legalistic and will cling to any right they’ve been given (Ephesians 4:27 says, “Do not give the devil a foothold.”)

Many Christians debate whether believers can be possessed. The better biblical term is “demonized” (from the Greek daimonizomai), which refers to any level of demonic influence—whether oppression, harassment, or deeper control. The words “possession” and “oppression” are unfortunate English distinctions that can confuse the issue. A believer’s spirit is sealed with Christ (Ephesians 1:13), but the soul—the mind, will, and emotions—can still be affected if areas are not surrendered or healed.

Deliverance is not a one-time event; it is often a process of freedom throughout the Christian life. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), and He still does so through His body, the Church. Some quote James 3:11, asking, “Can both fresh and salt water flow from the same spring?” to argue Christians can’t have demonic influence. But that verse is addressing the tongue, not deliverance. No one questions how the flesh and the Spirit can both exist in a believer—so why not acknowledge the possibility of demonic influence in the soul?

Through Jesus, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). We are seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) and are co-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17). His resurrection power flows through us, transforming us from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). But we must step into that authority. We cannot afford passivity. Declare God’s Word. Anoint your home. Drive out darkness. The enemy only stays where he is tolerated.

Intercession is essential. Revival always begins with someone praying. As Jennifer Eivaz emphasizes in her book, The Intercession Handbook, breakthrough begins in the unseen realm before it manifests in the natural. We are invited to partner with God to advance His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

You have been given authority. Use it. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (Romans 8:11). Let your faith rise. Let your voice speak life. Let your prayers shift atmospheres. God is calling His people to walk in victory—not just in theory, but in power, purity, and purpose.

The supernatural is active—so should the Church be.

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