Lesson 15. The Spiritual World

The spiritual world is invisible to the human eye, but it is just as real as the physical world. It has its own statutes, order, patterns, and mysteries. What takes place in the world of spirits has a direct or indirect influence upon us, and this is always worth remembering. We need to keep the influence of the spiritual world upon us under control.

Satan is mentioned rarely in the books of the Old Testament. They do not attach special significance to his influence; on the contrary, great emphasis is placed upon God’s power and human conduct.

In the writings of the New Testament, however, we see a detailed account of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, and between Christians and evil spirits. We should not deny the presence of these invisible powers or diminish their influence. They exist, and they act according to the spiritual laws that give them authority over the human mind. At the same time, they must reckon with the laws that deprive them of strength and influence.

In the world of spirits, there are two opposing armies: the Angels of Light led by Christ and the angels of darkness led by Lucifer. The Bible also calls the latter spiritual wickedness in high places.

Our minds are continually subjected to attacks by evil spirits that seek access to our wills, and the will cannot exist independently. Our will must belong to someone and be closely connected with someone. Two powers desire to possess the human will. The first is Christ, Who gives a new heart. The second is the Flesh—the very sinful nature that we inherit when we are born into this world. And the will chooses to whom it will belong.

Everything that proceeds from my mouth is very carefully examined and weighed in the spiritual world. As a result of this analysis, authority is given to one spirit or another to act within me. My conduct and deeds reveal which spirit possesses my will, while my true motive shows the spiritual world what drives me and who governs me.

God offers me the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, and this gift has its own plan and principles. I must hear the Word of God, which gives faith and leads me to an awareness of sin and repentance for it. Repentance and the desire to change for the better, in turn, move me toward choosing the further process of my spiritual growth, made possible through the ordinance of baptism by water in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is a kind of marriage vow by which I show the entire spiritual world that from now on I belong to Christ and give God the authority and right to change me, defend me, teach me, protect me, instruct me, love me, discipline me, and exercise a special influence upon my mind and will. Yet I remain a free individual with the right to choose to whom my will will belong. But by virtue of the marriage vow, it now belongs to Christ, and every deviation in the relationship and the choice of another husband is regarded as spiritual adultery and carries serious consequences.

Even after I have entered into the Covenant with God, the enemy of souls has authority to send me temptations and evil thoughts, offering me a choice in that direction, but he cannot force me to sin. Satan continually surrounds me with evil people through whom he can influence my mind and make my life difficult. But I have freedom of choice and Power from above, enabling me to resist every evil and control what influences me. Moreover, I myself can influence those around me and, whenever possible, choose my circle of fellowship.

My morning prayer opens the doors of the Heavenly blessings with which God desires to endow me.

In prayer to God, I express my desire to pass through this day under God’s guidance and protection. These are not merely words, but a testimony to the entire invisible world that I belong to Christ on this day.

When I ask for Heavenly love for myself and toward those near me, the world of spirits also hears this request and receives it as a reason for action. God receives the right to change me into His likeness. My words of faith that I have been heard in prayer, together with my gratitude for the answer, sound like a command for the good powers to act. The enemy of souls retreats, knowing that he has lost, but he does not depart forever. He prepares temptations to catch me in his nets, possess my will, and make me his subject in this conflict. And he has an ally in this battle—my carnal nature, which never dies but which I can keep pinned down.

A great controversy is taking place in the spiritual world, and the battlefield lies between my right and left ears. I will serve the one to whom I give my will.

God’s love within me is the very power that easily recognizes the enemy, determines the purity and holiness of my thoughts and desires, shows me the correct way out, and helps me make right decisions quickly. I belong to God, and agape love is His seal upon my consciousness. It allows nothing unclean to possess me.

But this Heavenly treasure is kept in the weak vessel of my soul so that the supernatural power of love may be attributed not to me but to God. I am not the ocean or the source of agape, but in the hands of Jesus I can be the one through whom this ocean becomes available to other people.

Love is not merely a power from above; it is the Mighty God within me.

My prayer for love gives God authority to abide within me, change my mind in accordance with God’s law, and win victories in spiritual battles, thereby making me an overcoming Christian.

The prayer of faith sounds like the voice of this victory that has overcome the world.

By choosing love, I challenge all the forces of evil, and they become greatly enraged against me and answer this challenge. I begin a war that will never end, and I must understand this. But within me is the One Who has conquered in this war. His Name is Jesus, and His power is Love!

1. Please read Revelation 12:7–12; Ephesians 6:10–13; 1 Peter 5:8–9; and Job 1:1–22 in the light of our lesson.

2. What did you understand from this lesson?

3. Do you believe in the existence of the spiritual world, which is invisible to us?

4. What will the knowledge of the existence of spirits bring me?

5. Does the enemy of souls desire to keep his existence secret? What does he gain from this?

6. Will the Lord protect His children from every kind of evil?

7. Does my faith play any role in the spiritual world?