Is it possible for a Born Again believer to see into the spiritual realm (i.e., actually see spirits, demons, etc.)? Is there anything in the Word that would deem this as a gift or something else?

Q & A with Dr. Bob Burrelli

There are isolated incidents of God’s people having glimpses of the spirit world. The apostle Paul, for example, was “caught up to the third heaven . . . into paradise,” even thought his testimony is not about what he saw, but the inexpressible things that he heard (2 Corinthians 12:3-5). The apostle John, of course, was given a revelation, in which he was to write down what he saw in heaven (Revelation 1:9). Stephen, just before he was martyred, said that he saw “the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56).” Peter “saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat (Acts 10:11-12).” Peter, James and John saw a glimpse of glory when Christ was transfigured (Matthew 17:2). These and other examples of glimpses of the spirit world, many of them Old Testament instances, were obviously given by God. But we find in each of them no strict and clear teaching that they are to be the norm for the believer today. Nowhere in the New Testament are we told to expect such glimpses.

Actually, God has always been more concerned that His people avoid images or representations of anything in the spirit world and focus, instead, on His revealed, written word. When God made a covenant with Israel, He spoke to them out of the midst of the fire. They heard the sound of words, but saw no form (Deuteronomy 4:12). This kind of revelation was intentional, for only by His word would He be accurately represented and establish deep intimacy with his people. God’s word is absolute and endures throughout all time. It is our standard for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:30) and by it we are to test everything (1 John 4:1). It is no surprise, then, that Satan spends most of his time luring Christians to doubt God’s word and deceive the nations. He masquerades as an angel of light and raises up false teachers to spread deception (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). While the battle we fight as Christians is certainly spiritual (Ephesians 6:11-12), the supernatural weapons that Satan uses are mostly ideologies, philosophies, belief systems, human wisdom, and worldviews. Paul tells us, therefore, that the only way to fight this spiritual battle is with spiritual weaponry; namely, the word of God (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Even evangelism is a battle for the mind (= heart) of individuals.

While it is certainly possible that God could give a believer a glimpse of the spirit realm, it is not probable or likely that He will do so. Scripture gives us no reason why God should or to believe that it the norm for believers today. Seeing the spirit realm is not one of the New Testament spiritual gifts. God has left us with no clear and specific teaching on when, how, and why believers should see into the spirit world, or command to pursue glimpses of it. We are to seek the kingdom, yes, but that is very much an activity that is to be worked out here on earth in our attitude and actions. Those in the church who wish to capitalize on seeing the spirit realm have no guarantee that what they claim to see is from God or is a lie. And how may they objectively interpret such glimpses? Surely, they ple stand on shaky ground and leave themselves open to being deceived. Study the written word of God and ask Him to illuminate the meaning of His truth to your mind. Only in that way will you truly “see” the spiritual realm.