The electrical wizard Steinmetz said, “The greatest discoveries of the twentieth century would be in the realm of the Spirit, and only those who pray will make these discoveries.” We are so accustomed to the world around us—the natural realm. All that we can see, taste, smell, touch, and hear. We refer to this as our five senses, and this is how we interact with the natural realm, the world around us every day, and God created it all for us. In our culture today, we are very body-mind conscious. We are accustomed to our aches and pains. Our need for comfort, purpose, encouragement, belonging, food, and other physical desires. We want to be well, both physically and mentally. This is a good thing. We are physical beings with a mind, will, and emotions. It is also true that we are spiritual beings. This is how God created us. Yet how much focus is on spiritual things? Apostle Paul said a carnal mind cannot understand spiritual things. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)-14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. What he means by carnal is not just sinful things, but someone who is always thinking or focused on their five senses, or just natural things, such as the news, economy, money, sports, employment, relationships, weather, or even oneself. The carnal mind is enmity against God. Romans 8:5 (Phillips NT)-5 The carnal attitude sees no further than natural things. But the spiritual attitude reaches out after the things of the spirit. The former attitude means, bluntly, death: the latter means life and inward peace. Apostle Paul can be speaking about Christians who are carnal, babes in Christ, or those who are not “Born Again” or spiritually dead. They are not alive to God yet( Eph 2:1-2).
I like that translation, “spiritual attitude reaches out after spiritual things.” We are not talking about spooky, mystical, weird, out-of-body experiences. Even though Apostle Paul took a trip to heaven, whether in the body or out of the body, he didn’t know. This was not a normal experience but an exception (2 Cor. 12:2). I want to emphasize that I’m not talking about seeking and going after spiritual experiences to satisfy our carnal, fleshly feelings. Like visions, angels, or some manifest supernatural experiences, to prove that God is real. That’s not faith ( John 20:29). If these visions, etc, happen, then fine. God can move that way at times. Let God initiate it. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and His Word ( John 20:29, Col 2:18). What we are talking about is a spiritual attitude, a mental framing of how we navigate life. A spiritually minded person is a Bible person. To be spiritually minded is life and peace. Look at Peter and his conversation with Jesus. Matthew 16:21-23 (NKJV)-21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” A spiritually minded person is focused on God, His kingdom, and His Word. Jesus understood that there was a spiritual, unseen realm. He came from the unseen realm. He became flesh and dwelt among us.( John 1:14). Apostle Paul tells us what a spiritually minded person does. Colossians 3:1-3 (NKJV)-1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Matthew 4:4). It does not mean we ignore things in the natural. That would be dangerous. God does give us a brain to use. Yet we look to God and His Word. To receive knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual discernment. We learn and grow into Christ-like people (Col 2:6-7, Rom 8:29).
There is a spiritual realm that is beyond the natural realm ( 2 Kings 6:16-17). There is the kingdom of God—the kingdom of Satan. There is good and evil, light and darkness, angels and demons. The realm of the spirit is real. The prophet Elisha, knowing this, gave him confidence and faith that he would be victorious by God’s hand. He wanted his servant to see that there was an unseen realm full of God’s angels and not be afraid. There was more with them than against them. There are opposing forces against the kingdom of God, but they are of no avail. Satan is a defeated foe ( Col. 2:15). Apostle Paul brings this out in Ephesians chapter six regarding the Christian, spiritual warfare, and the armor of God. We know that spiritual warfare is fought many times between the ears. In the realm of the mind (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Interestingly, Jesus said this in John 6:63 (NKJV)-63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. We can conclude that spoken words are spirit and life. These are rhema words, revealed words given by the Holy Spirit. It is part of the spiritual unseen realm. The Word of God is living, powerful, eternal, and life-giving. It has a spiritual force to it. It is more than ink on a page (Hebrews 4:12). The centurion told Jesus in the gospel of Matthew to “speak the word only, and my servant will be healed” (Matt. 8:8, Matt. 8:16). It was a Rhema word, a revealed word by the Holy Spirit that brought healing.
Why is this important regarding the spiritual realm? Hebrews 11:1-3 (NKJV)-1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed (set in order) by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. We cant see God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or angels with our natural eyes, but we can see or sense their influence. We can even sense demonic influence and that we have authority over them (Luke 10:19-20). John 3:8 (NKJV)-8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” We can’t see the wind, but we can see its effects. The spiritual realm is an eternal thing. There are spiritual forces at work. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NKJV)-18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For the Christian, we are functioning in two realms, both natural and spiritual. There are laws that govern both. Like gravity in the natural realm and the law of faith, and the law of love in the spiritual realm ( Rom. 3:27, James 2:8), understanding this can bring victory or defeat. Our faith and hope are anchored in the fact of this reality—the reality of God and Christ in our lives. The reality of heaven, the resurrection of our bodies, the blessed hope of the return of Jesus, God’s plan and purpose for our lives, and much more. This guided Apostle Paul in his life. Acts 26:19 (NKJV)-19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. It was a vision of Jesus, the unseen realm that sent Paul on the future course of his life (Acts 9:3-6). Even in supernatural experiences, Apostle Paul, at the end of his life, when talking to the elders at Ephesus, said this: Acts 20:32 (NKJV)-32 So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. The Word of God always takes precedence over experiences and feelings. Thank God for encounters with God and the Holy Spirit when we sense his presence and power. When lives are impacted is a wonderful way! His word is spirit and life!
There is a hunger for spiritual things even in culture among the unsaved. There is an inherent sense that there is something more than the natural realm, something that cannot be seen. Hunger for something supernatural. The world calls it spiritism, paranormal, occult, witchcraft, new age, and Eastern religion. This was posted in an article on the internet: (In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in interest and participation in occult, esoteric, and metaphysical practices, particularly among younger generations. Activities such as tarot readings, witchcraft, meditation, and astrology have seen a remarkable surge in popularity, leading to what is commonly known as the “occult revival.”). We see this in Hollywood movies and T.V. series. Is it possible that society, especially the younger generation, is unfulfilled by materialism, so they seek something beyond, something supernatural? The answer to this is the true supernatural! The realm of the Kingdom of God. A closer walk with God. A revival of the supernatural power of God that brings salvation to all of mankind ( Titus 2:11). To bring people out of darkness into the light. Acts 26:18 (NKJV)-18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ This is why we need to be a light and salt, to bring the gospel of Christ to everyone! The true supernatural is seen in the goodness and grace of God!
Are you hungry for God’s Word and his supernatural power?1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NKJV)-4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. To see people saved, delivered, and healed? To walk with God and in tune with his heart. To be kingdom of God-minded. To be a Christian who is eternally minded to be used of God to reach others for Jesus in the world around us. To understand that there is a spiritual realm that can work for us or against us. We can see the evidence of this in how we speak and act every day. Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)-21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. How we talk affects the spiritual realm, the atmosphere around us. If we are always giving in to the carnal flesh, sin, strife, being negative, complaining, griping, gossiping, slandering, and being self-centered, it affects our lives negatively. James 3:14-18 (NKJV)-14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Notice Apostle Paul says bitter envy, self-seeking, etc., its influence is demonic in nature. It is spiritual. It is confusion and evil—the enemy’s devices. Look at what Paul is saying regarding unforgiveness and how it can put us at a disadvantage. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NKJV)-10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices (Eph. 4:27). How do we close the door? By not giving place or ground to the enemy, Satan or his cohorts.
I want the advantage of heaven, the unseen realm, on my side every day. I’m going to walk in love and walk in faith by God’s grace. I’m going to pray to God my Father in heaven and continue to discover the realities of the unseen realm, Christ in me the hope of glory. To dive into the the revealtions of the Word of God. How about you? Yes, there are trials, temptations, persecution, and challenges in life, but we are not without supernatural grace to be overcomers.1 John 5:4-5 (NKJV)-4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Let us be spiritually minded, which brings life and peace (Romans 8:6). Let us understand that there is a spiritual realm, and that we are not to ignore it. Faith is spiritual, the bridge between the spiritual and the natural realm in receiving from God ( Eph 1:3). Our words are important and have spiritual consequences ( Prov. 18:21). You are a spiritual being (1 Thess 5:23). The Word of God spoken in faith is spiritual. Walking in the fruit of the spirit, such as love, peace, and joy, is spiritual. Flowing in the Gifts of the Spirit is spiritual( 1 Cor, 14:1). Angels are real spirit beings; they are ministering spirits to work on our behalf (Hebrews 1:14). Finally, let us use the authority that we have in Jesus’ name over the enemy and all his evil works in the unseen realm ( 1 John 3:8, 2 Cor. 10;3-4). Let us continue to walk in the spirit. Romans 8:5 (NKJV)-5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
In Christ’s love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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