When a baby is born, they will not open their eyes right away. They rely on their other senses, and it is not until later that they open their eyes and learn to use their sense of sight to learn about the natural realm around them.
You cannot see an open heaven with a closed mind. And Stephen said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:56 NKJV).
When a person is born again in the Spirit, they do not open their spiritual eyes right away. It is a sense they are not yet aware of. Until a person will open their spiritual eyes, they are not able to learn about the spiritual realm around them.
Spiritually you need an appetite before you’ll gain the nourishment to grow. “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment” (1 Peter 2:2 NLT).
The greatest hindrance one has in opening their spiritual eyes is in not maturing in their inner spirit. They are born again in the spirit, but remain spiritual babies, never growing in their spiritual life. They rely on their natural senses and never seek out growing in the spiritual.
It would not be so hard for you to move in the spiritual if you were not trying so hard in your natural. “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” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV).
When we focus on the natural realm, we become unwilling participants of the circumstances that surround us. We are moved by the seen and remain oblivious to the unseen that stands right beside us. We become consumed by the world and don’t take hold of the things from heaven.
Our spiritual potential remains buried beneath any of our natural self that we refuse to die to. “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” (Romans 8:5 NKJV).
We understand how to mature in the natural realm because we can see it with our natural eyes. We can learn how to mature in the natural using the scales of man to prove our progress. Yet even at the peak of natural maturity, one can remain a babe in Christ, still helpless in the spiritual realm around them.
Spiritual growth never occurs by the power of man. “Receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength” (Ephesians 6:10 NOG).
You can grow in spiritual maturity and you can have your spiritual eyes opened. It does not come by your efforts or the programs of man, but as a gift to the one who is willing to receive it. Pray to your heavenly Father that He would open your spiritual eyes today.
Never let the limit of your sight be the limit of your faith. “And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17).
Even once our spiritual eyes are opened, we are often moved by all that we can see in the natural. It is only through prayer and submission that we can come to trust in the unseen power of God that surrounds us and not be moved by the circumstance we are in.
When you’re looking up, you won’t feel down. “To You I have raised my eyes, You who are enthroned in the heavens!” (Psalm 123:1 NASB).
Spiritual sight has more to do with trusting in the unseen presence of God than it does with seeing the angels and demons that are around you. There may be times when the Lord will allow you to see in the spiritual realm, but most often He gives you the faith to know He is there.
In whatever you are going through, He has you. “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV).
Spiritual maturity allows you to see the presence of God in the middle of your circumstances and not lose heart in all you’re praying for. Your spiritual sight begins to outweigh your natural sight, allowing you to live a life that shines brightly to the world that surrounds you.
Don’t look at your circumstances but to God who can change them. “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22 NKJV).
When we have spiritual sight, we will see the natural realm from an entirely different perspective. On this earth we have demons, but also on this earth we have angels. In this life, we have trouble, but also in this life, we have Jesus. Don’t allow what you see in the natural to outweigh what is in the spiritual.
Don’t look at the storm. Look at Jesus. “Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’” (Matthew 14:29-31 NLT).
Pray today that God would open your spiritual eyes. Believe today that He can do it. Allow yourself to acknowledge the truth that God is always with you. Speak His power over every circumstance that comes up against you. Get ready to see everything around you in a whole new way.
To gain worldly wisdom requires much effort. To gain heavenly wisdom requires submission. Pray this, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know…” (Ephesians 1:17-18 NKJV).
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius
Hi Paul Balius, thank you very much for your weekly newsletter! I am always amazed how seems like you talk to me knowing my circumstances and trials evey-single-time. I hope one day I can surrender like you and allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me like you do. God bless you.
Hello Luly, thank you so much for your kind words! The Holy Spirit can speak to us all. I am praying you will grow in your listening. One thing I have done for many years is every morning I journal, and I write the verse and a few things from the devotion I am reading, and will then write out this is speaking to me. Pray about whether you might also try something like this. Spend time with Him and you will be forever blessed as He will make His presence known to you. Blessings to you! Paul
Hey Paul,
A well written article. Once again, it’s obvious you know the Most High and walk with Him, thus know what you’re talking about. 😊
Do you remember me? We meet years ago at “The Call” with Reinhart Bonnke. I met you and your group of friends. Julie was the first to invite me to hang out with y’all that evening.
Since then, I have been through trial after trial after trial. Although I know what it’s all leading up to, I would like to ask you for prayer. I need support from others who truly know our Lord and understand the spirit world and our call to walk in the spirit.
There’s a lot to tell, but I’d rather not put it online.
Thank you so much.
God bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
Deborah
Hello Deborah, I most certainly remember you! That was such an amazing event. Thank you for your kind words. I started my writing ministry in the months after that event. So sorry you have been through many trials. I pray the Lord would help you and carry you into the calling He is forming you to walk in. I know God never squanders all we go through. Everything is for a purpose and all things work for His plans. We had emailed before, I have the same email address, please feel free to write to me there anytime. Praying for you my friend, Paul
Thanks Paul. 😊 I know God has plans for much fruit to come from these trials. The devil doesn’t get to beat up His kids and get away with it. Lol I hope all is well with you and your family. We’ll stay in touch. Thank you so much for your prayers.