“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)

How do we know there is a spiritual realm? And if we can’t see it, should we believe in it?

Life is hard enough with what we can see, so many of us would rather not think about what we can’t. But we’re a bit like a toddler hiding under a blanket, sure that because she can’t see anyone, no one can see her. Not seeing the spiritual realm doesn’t make it any less real. In fact, the enemy works best when no one believes he’s there.

Scripture is clear that God made all things, “visible and invisible” (Colossians 1:16), and that the host of heaven worships Him (Nehemiah 9:6). On the night Jesus was born, the shepherds saw a multitude of angels praising God (Luke 2:13–14).

We already live by this kind of faith. None of us saw Jesus die on the cross or rise from the grave, yet we believe it with all our hearts (Hebrews 11:3). That same faith lets us trust in a heavenly realm we can’t yet see.

When we ignore the unseen realm, we can pretend nothing is there, and then we never have to think about it. But God’s Word tells us otherwise. If we keep ignoring that truth, we’ll end up confused and frustrated, fighting flesh and blood when our real battle lies elsewhere. When we open the eyes of our hearts and look to God, He gives us everything we need to stand victorious.

Prayer: Lord, open the eyes of my heart to see what You see. Help me trust You in the unseen battles and rest in Your victory. Amen.