The phrase "seeing him who is invisible" is found in the New Testament, specifically in the book of Hebrews in reference to exodus of the children of Israel from the land of Egypt. The full biblical description can be found in Hebrews 11:27, which is part of a passage often referred to as the "Hall of Faith." This passage highlights the faith of various individuals in the Old Testament. Here is the full description:
"By faith he [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible."
This implies that Moses, the great leader of the Israelites, who is commended for his faith choose to depart from the palace in Egypt, where he led the Israelites out of slavery. Despite the potential consequences and the anger of the Egyptian king, Moses was not afraid. His perseverance and courage were rooted in his ability to see "him who is invisible." This implies that Moses had a deep spiritual connection with God, allowing him to trust in God's guidance and protection even when faced with difficult circumstances.
Seeing the invisible God by faith
" And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). This highlights a fundamental aspect of our belief as Christians. According to the scriptures, Jesus Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God the Father. Our Lord Jesus is revealed to us from the scriptures as the incarnation of God, meaning that He took on human form to reveal God's nature and character to humanity. He (Jesus) is the visible expression of the invisible God. Through His life, teachings, and actions, Jesus demonstrated the natural and moral characteristics of God. He showed love, compassion, forgiveness, righteousness, and holiness, among other qualities, which are attributes of God Himself.
In the book of John 14:9, is significant in this context. Jesus said, " he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?”. Here, Christ is saying to us his followers that by observing Him and His life, people could gain insight into the nature and character of God. Jesus' purpose was to reveal God's love and salvation plan to humanity, and through His life, death, and resurrection, He accomplished this mission. The incarnation of Jesus is a central doctrine in Christianity, highlighting the belief that God became flesh in Jesus Christ to bridge the gap between humanity and Himself. Through Jesus, believers can have a personal relationship with God and understand His will for their lives.
It is important to note that while Jesus is the visible representation of God, Christians also believe in the triune nature of God, consisting of the Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. They are distinct yet unified in their divine essence. Jesus' role as the visible representation of God does not diminish the significance of the Father or the Holy Spirit but rather complements the understanding of God's nature and His desire to reveal Himself to humanity.
The children of God who faithfully follow His commandments are blessed with the invaluable assistance of the Holy Spirit. This divine presence aids us in conquering the challenges of sin and adversity, fostering our spiritual growth, and enabling us to bear witness to the teachings of Jesus. Moreover, the Holy Spirit graciously imparts God's wisdom, enlightening our minds and empowering us to spread the gospel to all corners of the world. It is important to remember that the Holy Spirit is constantly by our side, even during moments when we may not tangibly perceive its presence.
Fighting the battle coming from unseeing world
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil"(see Ephesians 6:10-18). The invisible battles refer to the spiritual warfare that takes place in the unseen realm. These battles involve the conflict between the forces of good and evil, with Satan and his demonic forces opposing God and His angels. These battles are not fought with physical weapons, but with spiritual armor and weapons provided by God. Every Christian (both young and old) needs the whole amour of God to wage war against the wiles of the devil and win daily.
Therefore, invisible battles encompass various aspects, including the temptation to sin, the struggle against spiritual strongholds, and the fight against deception and lies. They can manifest in our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and circumstances. The enemy seeks to undermine our faith, distort our perception of truth, hinder our spiritual growth and journey to eternal life.
However, Christians have the victory in these invisible battles through the power of God. By putting on the full armor of God, which includes truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God, believers can stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. We can rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance, prayer, and the authority given to us through Jesus Christ to overcome the attacks of the enemy (Luke 10:19).
It is important for Christians to be fully aware of these invisible battles and to actively engaged in spiritual warfare through prayer, studying the Word of God, and relying on the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit. By so doing, we can experience victory, grow in our faith, and fulfill the divine’s purpose in God's kingdom. The Bible speaks of spiritual warfare and the weapons that Christians can use to fight against the invisible enemy, Satan. "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Ephesians 6:14-18). According to the verses, the weapons of Christian warfare are defensive and include the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the helmet of salvation, and the shield of faith . In addition to these defensive weapons, Christians also have offensive weapons such as the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and prayer.
Cases of Invisible Battle
"And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (2 Kings 6:15-17). Here, Elisha's servant was afraid when he saw the Syrian army surrounding them. However, Elisha had a different perspective because he had spiritual discernment and could see the invisible realm. He prayed for his servant's eyes to be opened, and suddenly the servant saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire, representing the angelic army of God. This is telling us that believers need to prayer fervently and ask God to open their spiritual eyes to see, their ears to hear, and their hearts to perceive things, and most especially, we need the gift of Holy Ghost in our ministry. The story above illustrates the concept that as true believers, we have the assurance that God's angels are present to protect and defend us. It highlights the idea that there is a spiritual reality beyond what we can see with our physical eyes. Christians believe that God is actively involved in the world, and His angels are part of His divine plan to watch over and care for His people. In like manner, 1 John 4:4 stated that, "ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world". This verse serves as a powerful message of encouragement and reassurance to Christians as well, reminding them of their divine connection to God who is invisible and their ability to triumph over worldly challenges. It emphasizes that the indwelling Spirit within them is far greater than any opposing force in the unseeing world. This profound truth signifies that God's power and presence surpass any obstacle or adversity that may arise. It instills hope and provides solace to those who may be facing difficulties, reminding them that with faith in God, they possess the strength and resilience to overcome any trial, temptation, trouble, or tribulation coming through unseeing forces of darkness.
Steps to see the invisible
Seeing him who is invisible refers to perceiving or understanding the presence and power of God, even though he cannot be physically seen. It involves having faith and a spiritual connection that allows us to recognize and experience the divine in our lives, despite not being able to perceive God with our physical senses. It is about acknowledging and connecting with the unseen spiritual realm and recognizing the influence and guidance of power of God's in one's life. According to biblical references, we can look at various passages that shed light on this concept. Here are a few key steps to see the invisible:
1. Seek God with a sincere heart: In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus says, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." This verse emphasizes the importance of actively seeking God and His presence.
2. Walk in humility: James 4:10 advises, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." Humility recognizes our dependence on God and positions us to receive His promises that never fail.
3. Develop faith: Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is crucial in perceiving the invisible, as it allows us to trust in God's promises and believe in His existence even when we cannot physically see Him.
4. Cultivate a relationship with God through prayer: Prayer is a means of communication with God, and it helps us draw closer to Him. In Matthew 6:6, Jesus advises, "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Regular prayer helps us connect with the invisible realm of God's presence.
5. Study and meditate on God's Word: The Bible is a revelation of God's character, His will, and His promises. In Psalm 119:105, it says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we gain insight into the invisible truths of God's kingdom.
6. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our helper and guide in understanding the invisible things of God. In John 14:26, Jesus says, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can discern and perceive the invisible workings of God.
7. Live a life of obedience and righteousness: In Matthew 5:8, Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Living a life that aligns with God's commandments and seeking righteousness allows us to have a clearer vision of God's presence and His invisible workings.
8. Trust in God's promises: In Jeremiah 17:7-8, it says, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." Trusting in God's promises and relying on His faithfulness is the foundation for receiving blessings from the invisible realm. By following these steps, seeking God with sincerity, developing faith, praying, studying His Word, relying on the Holy Spirit, and living a righteous life, we can begin to perceive the "invisible" aspects of God's kingdom and experience a deeper connection with Him.
Needed help from the Holy Spirit
When we come to Jesus in true repentance, saved, and baptized by the power of Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will begin to work and abide with us. The children of God who faithfully follow His commandments are blessed with the invaluable assistance of the Holy Spirit. This divine presence aids us in conquering the challenges of sin and adversity, fostering our spiritual growth, and enabling us to bear witness to the teachings of Jesus. Moreover, the Holy Spirit graciously imparts God's wisdom, enlightening our minds and empowering us to spread the gospel to all corners of the world. It is important to remember that the Holy Spirit is constantly by our side, even during moments when we may not tangibly perceive its presence. Jesus said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will shew you things to come" (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit empowers us to perceive through our spiritual eyes, granting us a profound understanding of our circumstances. Regardless of our location, He possesses an unwavering knowledge of our needs and is capable of ministering to us in a deeply personal and individualized manner. His guidance will provide counsel, solace, and protection, assuring us that He will never abandon or forsake us.
Christian spiritual discernment refers to the ability to perceive and understand the will of God and distinguish between what is of God and what is not. It involves seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and using biblical principles to make wise and godly decisions. In the context of Christian faith, "seeing the invisible" refers to perceiving and understanding the spiritual realm that is beyond the physical world. It involves recognizing and engaging with the spiritual realities that are not visible to the naked eye.
Christian spiritual discernment and seeing the invisible are closely related because they both involve a heightened awareness of the spiritual realm. Through spiritual discernment, Christians seek to understand God's will and align their lives with it. This requires a deep connection with God through prayer, meditation, and studying the Scriptures. By cultivating a relationship with God, Christians can develop a sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit and gain insight into the invisible spiritual realities.
Seeing the invisible also encompasses recognizing the presence and activity of spiritual beings such as angels and demons. Christians believe in the existence of these spiritual beings as described in the Bible. While they may not be visible in the physical realm, Christians with spiritual discernment can perceive their influence and discern their intentions.
The ability to see the invisible and exercise spiritual discernment is not limited to a select few, but it is a gift that can be developed and nurtured by any believer through the Holy Spirit. It requires a deepening of one's faith, a surrender to God's will, and a willingness to seek His guidance in all aspects of life. When Jesus was about to leave this world, He said, “and I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (John 14:16-17). Have you been baptized with the power of Holy Ghost to receive continuous comfort, guidance, and strength from God? Remember that this is possible through life of obedience to God, prayer of faith, meditation on God's word, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit. Christians can grow in their ability to discern God's voice and perceive the invisible spiritual realities to fulfill their prophetic destiny.