PORTALS: Demonic Portals Are Real

While heavenly portals allow the flow of God’s blessings, guidance, and presence into our lives, there are also demonic portals—dark spiritual gateways that open avenues for evil forces either to oppress us or to harm us outright. We need to understand these portals so we can first recognize them when they are opened—and also so we can resist the enemy by closing them, ensuring that our lives remain under the protective covering of God’s grace and truth!

Before diving into the nature of demonic portals, let me share a personal story that revealed the reality of these spiritual gateways in a profound way.

The Lord called me into a time of shutting in for prayer and fasting when my church had just purchased a new facility. He instructed me to separate myself in the sanctuary for five days. “You will not leave the space,” He said. “You will sleep in the sanctuary because I will meet you there. Await what I will show you, and obey what I tell you to do.”

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I obeyed, dedicating myself to prayer and fasting. On the first and second days, I pressed into prayer, seeking the Lord’s presence and direction. On the third day, around 3:30 a.m., I had a startling encounter. In a semi-sleep state after hours of intercession, I heard what sounded like a car screeching and crashing—not outside the building but inside, near where I was praying.

The sound jolted me awake, and my body experienced what many know as sleep paralysis. I immediately recognized that spiritual warfare had begun. The powers ruling over our neighborhood and city—oppressing the community with crime, poverty, addiction, and immorality—had manifested from the spirit realm into my current physical reality.

Although physically paralyzed, I began to call on the name of the Lord in my mind and spirit. I interceded, calling on the angels assigned to our ministry and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit illuminated the specific principalities at work, revealing the strongholds of oppression that had plagued our city, such as Mammon (poverty, oppression, and greed), Belial (rebellion), Molech (violence and death), and Asherah (lust, idolatry).

For hours, I engaged in spiritual warfare. Although my body grew weak, I pressed on, calling on the Lord with fervency. With each prayer, I could feel a tangible lifting. What began as a heavy, oppressive darkness hovering over the building gradually gave way to light and clarity.

At one point, I looked up at the ceiling. Although it was physically intact, I saw in a vision that the spiritual ceiling was opening, and a radiant light shone down from heaven into the sanctuary. At that moment, I knew the answers had come. God’s presence filled the room, and the oppressive grip of darkness over the building and our ministry was broken.

This encounter was a vivid demonstration of the reality of demonic portals and the power of prayer and intercession to bring the presence of the Lord, which holds the power to save us and set us free! Now let us explore the nature of demonic portals and how they operate.

Portals in Pop Culture: The Matrix (1999 film): Neo’s awakening to the “real world” parallels the believer’s recognition of spiritual warfare and the unseen battle between good and evil. It’s a modern parable about choosing truth and breaking free from deception. In the end, we must choose light over darkness, truth over illusion and we must open the gates that lead us to deeper dwelling in Christ.

The Nature of Demonic Portals

Demonic portals are spiritual gateways that grant access to demonic forces in the lives of individuals, communities, and even nations. These portals can be opened through various means, but sin is almost always the root cause. Sins that are tied to the realm of darkness and the occult seem to have a strong ability to bring that darkness into the lives of those who have “invited” it in through those sins. Unlike heavenly portals, which are opened through faith, prayer, and obedience to God, demonic portals are typically opened through rebellion against God’s commandments, involvement in witchcraft or the occult, and persistent sin without repentance.

One of the clearest biblical examples of a demonic portal being opened is found in the story of King Saul and the medium of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. After God refused to answer Saul through traditional means, he sought out a medium to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. This act of consulting the dead, known as necromancy, is strictly forbidden in Scripture (Deut. 18:10–12). By engaging in this occult practice, Saul opened a demonic portal, inviting spiritual darkness into his life. The result was disastrous, as Saul’s disobedience led to his downfall and ultimately his death.

The story of Saul illustrates the danger of opening demonic portals through sinful actions and disobedience to God. These portals create avenues for demonic forces to gain a foothold in a person’s life, and the results are everything the devil loves to propagate in our lives: suppression, oppression, possession, confusion, and destruction. As believers, it is essential to recognize the signs of demonic portals and take steps to close them through repentance and spiritual warfare.

As I have said before, demonic portals are not merely abstract concepts. They operate according to specific spiritual laws that govern the interactions taking place between the natural and spiritual realms. When a person engages in activities contrary to God’s commands—especially intentional sin or occult practices—spiritual doors are opened, allowing demonic forces to enter. These forces then seek to establish strongholds in the person’s life, manipulating their thoughts, emotions, and actions to align with the kingdom of darkness.

Below are examples of activities that can open demonic portals. These actions are direct violations of God’s Word and invite demonic entities to gain influence. Similarly, environments saturated with negative influences—such as certain forms of entertainment that glorify violence or promote immorality or the occult—can also serve as gateways for demonic forces:

Divination and fortune-telling

Tarot cards

Crystal ball readings

Palm reading

Spirit communication and necromancy

Séances

Ouija boards

Mediums and psychics

Channeling spirits to write messages

Witchcraft and sorcery

Casting spells or hexes

Wicca rituals

Using talismans, amulets, or charms for protection or luck

Games and practices disguised as “entertainment”

Blood rituals and dark ceremonies

Satanic rituals or invocations

Cutting or binding pacts to summon spiritual power

Idolatry and worship of false deities

Veneration of idols or objects

Calling on ancestors or spirits for guidance

Pagan festivals or celebrations that invoke spiritual entities

What appears to be harmless fun can desensitize participants to spiritual dangers. Beware of any practices that blend spirituality with self-empowerment or enlightenment outside of Christ. These practices often blur the line between self-help and spiritual rebellion against God’s truth.

When a demonic portal is opened, the consequences can be severe and far-reaching. These portals allow demonic forces to influence a person, especially in their thoughts and emotions, leading to a downward spiral of spiritual and moral decay. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals and nations who suffered greatly as a result of opening demonic portals.

In the modern context, demonic portals can be opened through the institutionalization of sin—such as the legalization of practices that contradict God’s laws. When societies embrace such actions, they effectively invite demonic forces to exert influence over all aspects of the culture—politics, the economy, even the moral fabric of the people. This influence can lead to an increase in crime and corruption (sound familiar?). The role of the church, therefore, is critical in standing up against these forces—both through prayer and spiritual warfare, as well as advocating for righteousness with courage and fortitude.

Did You Know? Brain-imaging studies reveal that moments of awe, wonder, and amazement—like those felt during worship or divine encounters—activate the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system, which are linked to spiritual experiences and emotional connection. This activity mirrors the transformative effect of accessing heavenly portals, where God’s glory inspires awe and intimacy!

Recognizing Demonic Portals

Recognizing demonic portals is an essential skill for believers who want to live in spiritual victory. These portals can manifest in various ways, often accompanied by signs of spiritual oppression. Confusion and an impending sense of darkness or doom are quite common. Other indicators of demonic portals include persistent sinful behavior, involvement in occult practices, and exposure to environments or objects that carry spiritual darkness.

The Bible provides guidance on discerning demonic influences. In 1 John 4:1, believers are instructed to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” This testing involves discerning whether the source of influence aligns with God’s Word and the teachings of Jesus Christ. If something tempts a person to sin, leading them away from the truth of the gospel and toward deception and darkness, it is likely connected to a demonic portal.

Another biblical principle for discerning demonic portals is found in James 3:15–17, where the apostle James contrasts heavenly wisdom with earthly or even demonic wisdom. He describes demonic wisdom as especially characterized by selfishness and disorder. If a person’s life or environment is marked by these negative traits, it may indicate the presence of a demonic portal.

Discerning demonic portals requires a combination of spiritual sensitivity, knowledge of Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As we each develop a deep relationship with God, this intimacy helps to heighten our spiritual discernment. Regular prayer and fasting can equip us to recognize the signs of demonic activity and to respond appropriately.

In addition to personal spiritual practices, seeking counsel from mature believers experienced in spiritual warfare is highly beneficial. These individuals can offer valuable insight and guidance in discerning and addressing demonic portals. Proverbs 11:14 emphasizes the importance of wise counsel: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (ESV). By seeking the advice and support of a spiritual community, we can more effectively navigate the challenges posed by demonic influences.

Closing Demonic Portals Through Repentance and Deliverance

Once a demonic portal has been identified, it is crucial to take immediate steps to close it and prevent further spiritual harm. The process of closing a demonic portal involves repentance and clear renunciation. Deliverance sessions may even be necessary.

The church plays a vital role in helping individuals close demonic portals and live in spiritual freedom. As the body of Christ, the church is called to minister deliverance, provide teaching on spiritual warfare, and support believers in their journeys toward holiness and spiritual maturity. The community of believers will pray for you and keep you accountable, and that is essential in the process of closing demonic portals and maintaining spiritual victory.

The church’s responsibility in spiritual warfare extends beyond individual deliverance. It includes equipping the saints for battle through sound teaching, fostering an environment where the Holy Spirit can work powerfully, and standing in the gap for communities and nations through intercessory prayer. In Ephesians 4:11–13, Paul outlined the roles of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers within the church. This equipping includes teaching believers how to recognize and close demonic portals. Part of this understanding must include how to engage in spiritual warfare effectively and how to live in the victory that Christ has already secured.

The church also plays a critical role in corporate repentance and intercession. Throughout the Bible, we see instances where the collective repentance of God’s people leads to the closing of demonic portals and the restoration of God’s blessing. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God gave a powerful promise to His people: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” This promise highlights the power of collective action in closing demonic portals and bringing about spiritual renewal.

Understanding demonic portals is crucial for believers who seek to live in the fullness of God’s protection and blessing. These portals are real and have the potential to cause significant spiritual harm if left unchecked. However, through repentance, renunciation, deliverance, and the ongoing pursuit of holiness, these portals can be closed and the power of the enemy broken.

The church plays a vital role in this process, providing the support, teaching, and spiritual authority needed to help believers recognize and close these portals. As we continue to grow in our understanding of spiritual warfare, let us remain vigilant, always seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and standing firm in the victory Christ has already won.

May we live lives that are free from the influence of demonic portals, fully immersed in the presence and protection of God, and equipped to help others experience the same freedom.

Sergio Nazir Chavez is an apostolic and prophetic voice, speaker and visionary leader. He pastors Hope Center in Baltimore, Maryland, with his wife, Franchesca. Founder of Sergio Nazir Chavez Ministries, he inspires transformation with dynamic messages of hope, calling this generation to demonstrate God’s power and leave a lasting legacy. His new book, Spiritual Portals, is available now at amazon.com.