How interested are Christians supposed to be in the spirit world?

what does the bible say?

As humans, we are made up of our body, soul, and spirit—they are all equal components that make up who we are (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 3 John 1:2; Psalm 16:9). It is important for us to tend to our spirits, just as we do our bodies and souls. When we are saved, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and our human spirits are born again (John 3:1–8; Ephesians 1:13–14; 1 Corinthians 6:19). It is the Holy Spirit who makes us into a new spiritual creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Because of this and because the spirit world is just as real as the physical world, Christians are supposed to be interested in—but not obsessed with—the spirit world.

from the old testament

God created the world we physically see (Genesis 1:1) as well as the spirit world (Nehemiah 9:6).God is at work in the physical world (Psalm 8:3; 107:24) and the spirit world (Daniel 10:13; see also Ephesians 6:12).The Old Testament describes the spirit world as inhabited by angels and the heavenly hosts, who serve and worship God (1 Kings 22:19; Psalm 103:20). It also reveals the presence of God Himself, who is surrounded by these spiritual beings in His divine throne room (Isaiah 6:1–3).There is a battle going on at this very moment in the spirit realm (Daniel 10:12–14). The realities of heaven and earth are both equally true and real even if we cannot fully see what is happening in the spirit world.In 2 Kings 6:8–23, the Syrians surrounded Samaria, where the prophet Elisha was. Physically, they appeared to be outnumbered. However, Elisha told his servant, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). God opened the eyes of Elisha's servant and he saw “the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17)—an example of the spirit world being revealed to humans.

from the new testament

The New Testament confirms that God created both the world we physically see as well as the spirit world (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2).The New Testament also confirms that there is a spiritual battle going on in the spiritual world (Ephesians 6:12; Jude 1:9).God Himself is spirit and we worship Him through the Spirit (John 4:24).As we abide in Christ, we are transformed and empowered to live according to the Spirit (Romans 8:14–16; Galatians 5:16, 25). We learn to recognize His voice that speaks to our spirits (John 10:27).Not everything that is "spiritual" is of God. Satan and his demons also reside within the spirit realm. Satan "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy's attacks are on our bodies (Luke 9:42), souls (James 3:14–15), and spirits (Matthew 16:23; 2 Corinthians 10:3–5).There are many people who consider themselves to be spiritual, but this is not the same as being alive in our spirit through Christ, empowered by the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:1–9). Spirituality apart from the one true God through Jesus Christ is devoid of true life and at worst is a spirituality empowered by evil.Even the evil spirits recognize God (Mark 3:11) and will not submit to a false version of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:13–16).Believers in Jesus Christ are commanded to be vigilant and alert to recognize the attacks of Satan and false spirits (1 Peter 5:8–9; 2 Corinthians 2:11). There is no need to fear, though, "for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).Our true fight is not with flesh and blood but with spiritual realities; God has given us the tools and weapons we need to be victorious against any spiritual attacks (Ephesians 6:10–18). We also do not fight alone. God is with us, and His angels also minister to us (Hebrews 1:14).In the end, Satan loses, and God has the ultimate victory (John 16:33; 1 Corinthians 15:54–57; 1 Peter 1:3–9; Revelation 20:7–10), and Satan will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).Until Jesus returns, we are called to "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." We are called to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10–11). We are also told to "submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

implications for today

Yes, the spirit world is real, but our focus should be on glorifying and inviting the Holy Spirit in our lives rather than paying too much attention to demonic powers. Overemphasis on the powers of darkness is unhealthy and useless for our walk with God. Only God has total power and dominion in the spirit world, and through Him we can overcome any attack that Satan sends our way (1 Peter 5:11; Isaiah 54:17). We were once in darkness, so why would we look back into the darkness? "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them" (Ephesians 5:8–11). We thank God for bringing us into His marvelous light and empowering us to live in step with the Holy Spirit.

We are called to put on the armor of God and to live in the Spirit: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10–11). As the Bible tells us, "the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4). Knowing and recalling God’s Word, focusing on what is true about God and reality, setting our minds on the things of the Spirit, we can have the right focus. We are assured that "greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4), so as we abide in Him and set our mind and heart on Him, we experience life and peace (Romans 8:6) and can see life with the right perspective. Our focus must remain on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, who has already overcome the world (Hebrews 12:2; John 16:33). In doing so, we can live in this world with great purpose and confidently in Christ, understanding that there is more than we can see.