The spiritual realm is a difficult thing to describe and understand but once you experience it, it is impossible to forget. Too many of us Christians ignore the spiritual realm, and there are an endless number of reasons we want to ignore it. Have you ever heard the saying “ignorance is bliss?” It’s true that we don’t have a burden for something if we are ignorant of it and don’t even know it’s taking place. And if there’s no burden, then maybe we experience bliss. But regarding the spiritual realm and our ignorance regarding it, the saying should really go something like this…”ignorance is only temporary happiness because it makes you an easy target!”
See, when we ignore things to the point where we don’t even acknowledge their existence, it can be a huge problem. Everyone on the planet, especially our young people (because I work with them daily and see it), is dealing with spiritual attacks, and this battle is taking place in the spiritual realm. The fact that some of you reading this may even be thinking, “Well, I don’t know about that!” is a real problem. How can we fight a battle we don’t even know we are in?
And, how can we help others through a struggle that is not even made known? To understand my thought process on this, I once said to the youth group, “Answer the math problem in my head. Go on, what’s the answer?” I heard random shouts and grumblings, but no right answers. Finally, one student said, “Pastor Scott, we can’t give you the answer because you haven’t told us the problem yet!” Exactly!
So, why then do we ask God for healing but refuse to admit the problems to Him? We want anxiety and depression to leave us, but we refuse to talk to God or anyone else about what is making us feel these things in the first place. We want God to take the effects of sin from us, but God wants to get to the root of the issue. He wants to track down the reason why something is happening and deal with the root of the issue.
There are numerous analogies to help us understand this. If I went to the hospital because I had shortness of breath and the doctor said, “Well, I can see the cause of the issue. It’s because a cut on your foot is infected. That infection has gotten so bad that it has now entered your bloodstream and is shutting down the functions of your lungs and your heart. This is serious and you need immediate medical attention.” How foolish would it be of me to say, “Well, I don’t want you to treat my foot. I just want you to treat the effect. Make it so I can breathe and send me on my way.” We all would agree that would be ridiculous! We all know that I would be back in that hospital the next day for the same thing because the issue wasn’t dealt with and the root of the problem was ignored.
The crazy thing is we do this with the spiritual realm on a daily basis. We act like it’s not real and that we are never attacked by evil spirits. Do I believe that the enemy doesn’t sit there and feed me lies that cause me to dwell on them and spiral out of control? Do I believe it’s not possible that the devil and his minions are constantly waiting for the perfect moment to seize the opportunity of my weakness?
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Show me the devil. You can’t, just like you can’t show me the wind. But the fact that you can’t show me the devil or the wind doesn’t make either one less real. You will never be able to fight against evil if you do not recognize the spiritual realm. We need to gain wisdom and knowledge about the fight that is going on. We need to recognize what is happening here so that we can be informed on how to fight back because we can’t fight against the evil in the spiritual realm by using weapons we would use in the physical realm. As much as I wish I could, I cannot punch the devil. So we need to adjust our plan of attack.
“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)
We need to admit there is a fight going on in our minds. Only then will the Lord be able to show us how to stand against these evil forces. When we understand the spiritual realm, we have a better understanding of the enemy we truly are fighting. Once we know the Who and the Where, then the Lord can show us the How and the What regarding what spiritual weapons are needed.
The Lord has been showing me more and more of the lessons I have to learn regarding the spiritual battles I am facing. It is a humbling experience, but it brings confidence. Not in me, but in God, who equips and provides for me. The more I admit real things to God, the more I am allowing His blessing and divine intervention to enter into the situation. I encourage you today to admit real things to God and to take notice of the battles and issues going on in the spiritual realm around you. The Lord might just be preparing you for something big.
In Christ,
Scott Drumheller
