Why Do People Dismiss Spiritual Realities?
The moment I start talking about spirits and demonic interactions, the circle of supporters around me seems to shrink. Suddenly, I’m labeled as crazy, lost, or worse—accused of having a “jailhouse religion.” People assume I must be confused, deceived, or out of my mind simply because I take the Bible’s warnings about the unseen world seriously.
But here’s my question: What Bible are they reading? Because the one I read—God’s Word—clearly speaks of spirits, both holy and unclean. If we believe in the Holy Spirit, why is it so controversial to acknowledge the existence of other spirits? The Bible tells us plainly:
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.”
— 1 John 4:1-2 (KJV)
The spiritual realm is real, but it’s often ignored, dismissed, or misunderstood. And that ignorance comes at a cost.
The Danger of Ignoring the Unseen
Imagine you’re walking down the street and see a fenced-in yard with a dog behind it. If you reach your hand through the fence and the dog bites you, you’d likely learn your lesson: don’t stick your hand near an unfamiliar dog.
Now, what if the dog were invisible? If you told people about an unseen dog that bites, many would be curious rather than cautious. They’d line up to test it out, simply because they can’t see it.
That’s exactly how people treat the spiritual world. They dismiss what they can’t see—until they feel the bite.
Spiritual Warfare: The Battle We Can’t See
The Bible tells us we are in a war, but it’s not a war of flesh and blood. The real battle happens in the unseen realm:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
— Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
Spiritual attacks often don’t look like Hollywood’s version of demon possession. Instead, they come subtly—through thoughts, emotions, temptations, and circumstances designed to break you down. These forces work strategically, planting seeds of doubt, fear, anger, lust, and confusion.
This is why we need to talk about different spirits. If we only acknowledge the Holy Spirit and ignore the existence of unclean spirits, we leave ourselves vulnerable to deception and attack.
The Warning from Jesus About Returning Spirits
Jesus gave a chilling warning about how unclean spirits operate:
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
— Matthew 12:43-45 (KJV)
This means that when a person is freed from spiritual bondage but does not fill themselves with the things of God, they become even more vulnerable. The unclean spirit returns—bringing stronger forces with it. This is why deliverance alone is not enough; we must also be filled with the Holy Spirit, renewed in our minds, and equipped with the armor of God.
How to Stand Firm Against Spiritual Attacks
If we acknowledge that spiritual warfare is real, how do we protect ourselves? The Bible gives us the answer:
1. Test Every Spirit – Not every supernatural experience, voice, or leading is from God. We must compare everything to Scripture (1 John 4:1-2).
2. Guard Your Mind – The battlefield begins in our thoughts. We must renew our minds daily with God’s Word (Romans 12:2).
3. Put on the Armor of God – Ephesians 6 outlines the spiritual armor that protects us: truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the gospel, and the Word of God.
4. Stay Filled with the Holy Spirit – Deliverance is not enough; we must actively pursue a relationship with God and live in obedience to His Word (Galatians 5:16).
5. Pray Without Ceasing – Prayer is our direct communication with God and our weapon against the enemy (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Final Thoughts: Step Out of the Box
I’m not asking you to take my word for it. I’m asking you to step back and consider whether the world has trained you to dismiss the truth. The greatest deception of the enemy is convincing people he doesn’t exist.
But the truth will set you free.
So, what will you choose? Will you keep sticking your hand into the fence, testing what you don’t understand? Or will you open your eyes to the battle happening around you and stand firm in the power of God?
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. – John 8:32 (KJV)
The choice is yours.
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