In an interview with Charisma Media, Pastor Mike Signorelli of V1 Church addresses a pressing issue facing the church today: the need to confront the demonic with discernment and spiritual authority.
According to Signorelli, many present-day Christians overlook or minimize the influence of spiritual forces, which he sees as a departure from the biblical model. “For the last several decades… the devil’s never mentioned, demons are never mentioned,” he says, contrasting this with Jesus’ ministry, which frequently included encounters with demonic forces.
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Believers must be equipped not only to recognize but to confront spiritual oppression. Signorelli argues that Scripture calls for a balance between spiritual authority and practical discipline, saying, “Not everything’s a demon… but we need the wisdom to know when it is.” This perspective aligns with biblical accounts of Jesus’ ministry, where He discerned the root of people’s suffering, sometimes casting out demons and other times prescribing physical remedies. “We need to be like Jesus in our discernment,” Signorelli asserts, emphasizing the importance of relying on God’s guidance to address both spiritual and physical aspects of healing.
Warning against either extreme—neglecting spiritual warfare or attributing every problem to demonic forces—Signorelli calls believers to a deeper awareness of the spiritual realm. As Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against… spiritual wickedness in high places.” This “wrestling,” he explains, is not a fringe practice but a foundational aspect of biblical faith.
Rooted in understanding and exercising spiritual authority through Christ, Signorelli’s approach emphasizes a power given to every believer, not just church leaders. “You don’t have to have a seminary degree… you just have to be a son or daughter of the King,” he says, showcasing the accessibility of this authority. It is only through invoking Christ’s authority, he adds, that believers can confront spiritual forces effectively. “The demons are not obeying you; they’re responding to the consequences of the kingdom,” he explains.
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This call to reclaim spiritual authority challenges the church to re-examine its stance on spiritual warfare. Christians must embody the full scope of biblical faith, addressing not only the physical but also the spiritual battles that impact our daily lives.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.