July 30, 2025

Operating in the Invisible Realm

Introduction

There are some truths from Scripture that, while essential for our success as we represent Christ, are rarely taught. I feel the need to emphasize a few of them for the remainder of this week. In today’s post, I want to remind us of the reality of the invisible realm of the spirit. I am using portions of the Give Him 15 Devotional, Volume One. Today’s title is:

Operating in the Invisible Realm

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” Ephesians 6:12.

The “heavenly places” referred to in the above verse are not often talked about. This is very unfortunate. Let’s look at the following verses:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. And raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

This sounds like one uninterrupted passage of Scripture, doesn’t it? It is actually five separate verses from Ephesians 1:3, 1:20, 2:6, 3:10, and 6:12. I became fascinated several years ago as I read these verses consecutively, with none of the in-between sections. I realized they really do provide a continuity of thought. In summary, they tell us we have been given everything we need in order to operate in heavenly places; Christ has been given all authority in this realm; we have been seated there with Him in that position of authority; through us, from our position there with Christ, God intends to confront the kingdom of darkness; finally, the last verse describes that evil kingdom, listing its various components.

What are “heavenly places”? They do not refer to heaven, God’s home, but to the invisible atmosphere all around us, the spiritual realm. It is the unseen realm of the spirit – invisible yet real, hidden yet very active. Much of what happens on earth is influenced from it; certainly, anything of eternal significance or that regulates the destinies of people and nations is influenced from this realm. However, most people, including Christians, give little thought to this unseen world. Many people, especially in cultures that emphasize higher education and intellectualism, are actually cynical of this dimension’s existence. But the Bible is filled with descriptions and accounts of it. In fact, apart from the invisible realm, there is no God, satan, angels, demons, the fall of humankind, the birth of Christ, redemption through the Cross, miracles, or resurrection of the dead. Yet again, surprisingly, most American Christians live their lives without considering how much this realm affects us, let alone how we can influence it.

As I meditated on these 5 verses of Ephesians, God began emphasizing to me that I was not cognizant enough of this invisible realm. It was not a new subject to me. I had been aware of it for many years and realized we could operate in it through our prayers and actions. But Holy Spirit was revealing to me that, even so, I was not as conscious of this dimension as I needed to be. I saw more clearly that in order to be as effective as possible in changing situations on earth, I had to understand more fully how this heavenly realm affected them. Conversely, I also needed a greater understanding of how I could influence the invisible world. Consider the following significant statement: the more we learn to function in the invisible spiritual realm, recognizing and applying its governing principles, the more we can partner with God, positively impact our world, avoid the snares and influence of the evil one, and enjoy the blessings of our salvation.(1) 

The more I studied this spiritual realm, the more I realized it was central to the Bible’s overall theme – two invisible kingdoms warring for control of the visible world. The following account of the unseen gives us a vivid glimpse:

“When the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, ‘Strike these people with blindness, I pray.’ So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:15-18 NASB)

The invisible forces were there all along – it was just that Elisha’s servant could not initially see them. And so it is with us. We live in a world filled with constant and tremendous angelic and demonic activity. Our natural eyes, however, simply cannot perceive it.

If we Christians are going to be effective in prayer, we must acknowledge, understand, and learn to influence the spiritual realm. We must move beyond our fear of criticism and agree with Scripture. Jesus is our example, and He frequently dealt with the invisible. He was aware of it and consistently engaged unseen entities, stirring up demonic opposition everywhere He went.

The early church in Acts did so as well, confronting forces of darkness and addressing them when appropriate. We are inconsistent if we confess to be Bible-believing followers of Christ and yet refuse to acknowledge and deal with the invisible kingdom of darkness. Failure in this area hinders us greatly.

Pray with me:

Father, increase our understanding of the spiritual realm and how it influences the natural realm. Give us understanding of how to impact this dimension and extend Your Kingdom influence from it into our natural world. We ask for a greater revelation of how to release the victory of Christ into the earth in order to change nations, cities, and people. Make us more conscious of the invisible realm where much of what occurs on earth is determined. We pray that anointed teachers will be raised up to skillfully teach on this subject, so that with the tools You give us, we can operate in this invisible realm with balance, skill, and accuracy. 

And as we do so often here, we ask You for, and thank You in advance, for sending the greatest spiritual awakening/revival ever to the nations of the earth. We pray that entire cultures and people groups would be swept into Your family. We ask You to break off from them the control of invisible principalities and evil spirits, freeing them to see truth and receive Your love and provision. We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Our decree:

We boldly declare that the spirit of wisdom and revelation is being released into the church at the highest level possible.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

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1. Sheets, Dutch, and Chuck D. Pierce. Releasing the Prophetic Destiny of a Nation. Destiny Image Publishers, 2005, pp. 75-76.