The Bible is clear that the spiritual realm is real. Scripture speaks of angels, demons, and spiritual warfare. When I was 12 years old, I encountered what I know was an evil spirit. I was terrified and immediately ran to my parents. They prayed over me and anointed my room with oil. After that night, I never experienced that same presence again. That experience didn't create my faith in the spiritual realm; it strengthened my confidence in what Scripture already teaches: prayer is powerful, and Jesus Christ has authority over every power of darkness.
Another experience that shaped my understanding of spiritual warfare happened at church. I sensed what I believed was a demonic presence, and later I believed I encountered that same presence again at home. At the time, I was so startled that I didn't know how to respond. Looking back, I wish I had immediately shared what I was experiencing with trusted believers so we could pray together. That experience reminded me of the importance of discernment and intercessory prayer.
When I was 16 years old, after choosing to put my trust in Jesus Christ following a youth camp, I still had many questions. I slowly drifted away from most of my friends, and because of the pain and brokenness from my upbringing, I felt completely alone. The darkness became so overwhelming that I began having suicidal thoughts.
I went to my youth pastor, who became one of the greatest mentors God placed in my life. She prayed over me, spoke truth from God's Word, and pointed me back to Jesus. As she prayed, the darkness lifted, and I experienced the peace of God in a way I had never known before. That encounter forever changed my understanding of the power of prayer.
Years later, I also experienced a different kind of battle. Overwhelming anxiety and mental health struggles developed into suicidal thoughts. Walking through both experiences taught me that not every battle has the same source.
Since then, I have learned that not every battle is the same. Sometimes suicidal thoughts are rooted in deep trauma, anxiety, grief, or depression. Other times, I know people are experiencing spiritual oppression. Scripture makes it clear that our battle is not merely against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). That is why we must have discernment. We cannot treat every struggle the same way.
I don't share these stories to create fear or to claim that every unusual experience is demonic. I share it because my faith in the spiritual realm isn't based only on my experiences; it's rooted in what Scripture teaches. My experiences simply reinforced what I already believe the Bible reveals.
God sometimes gives His people discernment, not so we can become fearful or judgmental, but so we know how to pray. Throughout Scripture, God revealed things to His people so they could intercede, protect others, or encourage the Church. When God grants discernment, our response should not be panic; it should be prayer.
Our confidence is in Jesus Christ, who has authority over every power of darkness. Prayer is powerful because God hears His people, because we have Jesus in us who He himself is powerful.
References
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway. (Original work published 2001).
Scripture references:
Ephesians 6:10–18
1 Corinthians 12:7–11
1 John 4:1–3
Luke 10:17–20
James 4:7
James 5:16
Matthew 7:7–8
1 Peter 5:8–9
Hebrews 1:14
Jude 1:6
Revelation 12:7–9
Isaiah 14:12–15
Ezekiel 28:12–17
If your blog uses the New International Version (NIV) instead of the ESV, then replace the first reference with:
The Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1973).
One note: Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 are often cited in discussions about Satan, but many biblical scholars understand those passages primarily as referring to earthly kings, with some Christian traditions also seeing them as having a secondary application to Satan. Some Christians may interpret it differently.