Kris Vallotton • June 26, 2020

Are Demons Working Against Your Personal Life?

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Have you ever heard someone use the phrase "the light at the end of the tunnel" to describe their long-awaited time of hardship finally nearing its end? Many of us are looking for that light right now and can’t find it. From pandemics to protests, senseless murders to economic madness, the world is really struggling. I don’t only mean that people are stressed, I’m saying that people are experiencing physical and mental breakdowns . Unable to discern the presence of Jesus amid these trying times, many Believers fix their eyes on the perceived weapons that have been formed against them, and they see no solution in sight. Might I suggest to you that there is no light at the end of this proverbial tunnel that is our current circumstances? Why do I say that? Because the Light of the World—Jesus Christ is in the midst of this dismal darkness with us, and I propose that He’s guiding us out of these current doom and gloom days with personal and societal breakthroughs. In other words, Jesus is not waiting in the wings while we figure things out. No, in fact, He runs to problems as He holds the remedy we seek. Yet, the question remains, are you too focused on the hell around you to see heaven’s solution that is right in front of you? 

SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE

If you've followed my ministry for very long, you know well that I often teach about the spiritual realm— a reality that people foolishly ignore. I'll add that the spirit realm affects everyone, whether it's acknowledged or not. Paul educates Believers in Ephesians 6:10-12 as to why it's important to be spiritually intelligent, see here: " Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. " Did you catch that? Paul's understanding of the spiritual realm was that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but of spiritual forces. What does this mean for you as a Believer today? The same thing it meant for the Believers in Paul's time— our struggle is spiritual, yet we were destined to win! 

Many of you are in great distress right now, and I'm certain that you don't have to be! I say this with confidence because God’s goal for you is to embody the authority that Christ has given all Believers so that we would undermine and defeat the power of the enemy. He desires us to be spiritually intelligent and peace driven.   

EYES TO SEE & EARS TO HEAR

One way God has empowered us to thrive in the presence of our spiritual enemies is through a specific spiritual gift that is available to every Believer should they ask for it. What I’m talking about is the gift of discernment of spirits, or as some translations say, the gift of distinguishing between spirits (1 Cor. 12:8-10). 

First off, the Discernment of spirits is not ghost hunting or communicating with the dead, nor is it altogether creepy or even that mystical for that matter. In fact, in my opinion, this gift is one of the most undervalued yet beneficial gifts that serve the Body of Christ, and if applied correctly would eliminate a great deal of spiritual warfare. It's a supernatural gift that empowers one to discern between any and all spirits individually. When one functions in this gift healthily and as God purposed, Believers arise as the solution-driven peacemakers that they are, and begin the work of recovering, reconciling, and restoring those the enemy has attempted to kill, steal, and destroy. 

Discerning of spirits gives us the ability to distinguish the unseen beings that we are in “cohabitation” with—a vital function in developing spiritual intelligence. Not only that, but it also empowers Believers to distinguish between what's real and what's false. To clarify, it’s not just merely discernment or wisdom for that matter, nor is it distinguishing only evil spirits. This gift is brilliant in that it exposes what influence and intentions the spirit realm is having, whether on a person, in the atmosphere, over a city, or in a nation. Maturely operating in this gift enables you to be keenly in tune and aware of the spiritual weapons formed against people, but it also gives you eyes to see the Light of Christ amid disorienting days of chaos. You understand what this means, don’t you? The gift of discernment of spirits not only gives us access behind enemy lines and exposes their plots and schemes but it also uncovers Holy Spirit solutions that disarm the devil and remedy today’s complex challenges. Think of this gift as a giant spotlight. It exposes everything unseen, adversaries and the emissaries that are sent to help us, and paired with the authority God’s given you, empowers God’s people to be incredibly in tune, intelligent, and influential. 

4 WAYS TO DEVELOP DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS

It’s paramount that Believers step into this gift right now. With everything going on in the world, in our nations, and even in our homes, we need to understand where our fight truly lies, and if you haven’t gathered by now, it’s not with one another. With that being said, I want to give you 4 ways that you can begin to develop the gift of discernment of spirits in your life right now: 

1. Ask for it . A gift is just that— a gift. It’s available to every believer. As James said in the Bible, “You have not because you ask not” (James 4:2-3). So simply ask. Understand that the Lord desires us to be spiritually intelligent . He wants us to steward the things that He gives us, so once you’ve asked for this gift or any spiritual gift for that matter—use it! 

2. Start with yourself . Begin to discern the spirits influencing your thought life. For example, you could start with your attitude over something like finances. Notice what happens when you and your spouse begin to talk about money? Does it get heated fast or do you notice the conversation is solution-driven? Begin to discern the spirit behind what may be influencing YOUR emotions and thought life first. If you stick with it, you will begin to notice an incredible improvement in your overall sense of wellbeing as you’ll begin to also discern the spirit of peace that will be present. 

3. Learn what the gift is and what it is not. I’d recommend surrounding yourself with Believers who are healthily functioning in this gift. This is a fail-safe way to learn what the gift is and what it isn’t. For instance, I talk about this in my book Spirit Wars , but suspicion is the wicked step-sister of discernment. Meaning, when fear hijacks discernment there’s not only a spirit behind every corner, but you’ll find you are highly suspicious of everyone’s motives. What I’m describing is not the gift of discernment of spirits. It is straight-up fear, and it’s not from God. 

4. Read your Bible . The Bible is full of stories that may not directly point out the operation of discernment of spirits, but as you begin to notice it in your own life and mature in the gift, you will begin to see time and time again how the disciples naturally supernaturally flowed in this gift. You can read about one example found in Acts 16:15-18. Paul discerned a spirit of divination on a slave-girl. Go check out what happened! 

Share in the comments what you learn this week as you develop your gift of discernment, begin to see Jesus in the midst of the storm, and regain the peace that’s been given to you!

THE BLOG

Discover more blog posts

By Kris Vallotton March 5, 2025
Have you ever felt called to a spiritual role but struggled to find your place in it? Perhaps you've experienced a divine moment where God revealed a prophetic gift in your life, yet you found yourself wondering why others don't seem to recognize or acknowledge it. This tension between divine calling and human recognition can be one of the most challenging aspects of walking in prophetic ministry. I've spoken with countless individuals who believe God has called them to be prophets, yet they feel frustrated when church leadership doesn't immediately recognize their office. They often share powerful testimonies of divine encounters or prophetic words that confirmed their calling. But here's the beautiful truth I've discovered: authentic spiritual authority requires both divine appointment and human recognition. Scripture shows us that even Jesus "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). This powerful verse reveals an important principle – spiritual authority flourishes at the intersection of Heaven's approval and earthly recognition. The Bible offers us profound wisdom about this journey of walking out our prophetic calling. Let's explore three essential principles that can help you navigate this path with grace and wisdom. 1. Understand the Process Between Anointing and Appointment King David's story provides one of the most powerful examples of the gap between divine calling and public recognition. When Samuel anointed David as king, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him powerfully – yet David didn't actually become king for fourteen years! During that time, he served faithfully, developed his character, and waited for God's timing. The journey between your prophetic calling and your public commissioning is not an accident – it's divine design. This season of preparation builds the character, wisdom, and spiritual maturity needed to carry the weight of prophetic authority. Just as David was anointed three times – once by God through Samuel and twice by the people – your prophetic gift may require multiple confirmations. Remember that if you have favor with God but not yet with leadership, pushing for recognition prematurely can lead to painful experiences. As Proverbs 18:16 reminds us, " A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. " Allow your gift to create the space for your ministry rather than trying to force open doors that aren't ready to receive you. 2. Avoid Self-Promotion and Political Maneuvering It’s important to realize that even though your gift is what gets you into the room, your character is the thing that keeps you there. There's a stark warning in Scripture about gaining influence through manipulation rather than divine timing. Absalom, David's son, shows us the danger of winning people's hearts through flattery, false promises, and undermining leadership. He created a following by positioning himself as more accessible and understanding than the established authority. In today's social media age, the temptation toward self-promotion has never been stronger. We can easily build platforms that elevate our image above our character. But true prophetic authority doesn't come through marketing yourself as an expert – it comes through humble service, consistent character, and divine timing. James 4:6 reminds us that " God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. " When we push for recognition prematurely or through manipulation, we may gain a position but miss the protection that comes with proper promotion. Like Joseph, who shared his prophetic dreams prematurely with his brothers, our lack of wisdom can create a much more difficult path to our destiny than God intended. 3. Embrace the Preparation Process The weight of the prophetic office is both invisible and substantial. I've witnessed many genuinely called individuals crumble under the pressure of premature promotion. The apostle Paul wisely instructed that leaders " should first be tested and then let them serve " (1 Timothy 3:10), and warned against laying hands on anyone hastily (1 Timothy 5:22). True preparation for prophetic ministry involves more than just having accurate prophetic words. It requires developing spiritual maturity, biblical understanding, relational wisdom, and emotional health. If you sense a prophetic calling on your life, embrace the preparation process with patience and humility. Serve faithfully where you are. Allow trusted leaders to speak into your life and development. Study the Scriptures diligently. And remember that the process between the promise and the palace is not just necessary – it's a gift that prepares you to succeed when your time comes. My prayer for you is that you would find peace in God's timing for your prophetic journey. May you grow in both favor with God and with people, allowing the Lord to develop in you the character needed to carry His voice with integrity. Let me be clear- the path to your prophetic purpose isn't just about reaching a destination – it's about becoming the person who can faithfully steward the authority that comes with it.
By Kris Vallotton February 12, 2025
Kathy and I are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, and we’ve been together for 54. We’ve experienced highs and lows together and built a life I never imagined possible! Over the past 50+ years, we’ve learned a few things that I want to share with you to help your marriage thrive!  Know when to sacrifice pleasure for the pursuit of joy. Kathy and I have learned when to sacrifice pleasure for the pursuit of joy; this is the discipline of laying down your life for another. A practical example of this is when people find out we have horses. They say, “Oh wow, Kris, you have horses!” My response to them goes something like this, “No, I don’t have horses. Kathy has horses. I only pay for the horses.” Their next question for me usually is, “Don’t you like horses?” To which I respond, “No, I don’t like horses, but I like Kathy.” You see, I get a lot of joy out of doing what Kathy wants to do. I am willing to sacrifice my own pleasure to pursue what develops joy in our marriage. It’s not one-sided, Kathy does the same for me. 2. Forgiveness restores the standard. If you’ve been in a relationship for any length of time, then you know the honeymoon phase doesn't last forever. The person that you love and cherish at the deepest level is the same person that will stretch, challenge, and offend you. I learned this lesson years ago when my kids were teenagers. I became angry with Kathy in front of them and treated her disrespectfully. An hour later, I apologized, and she forgave me. Colossians 3:13 tells us that “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive". The truth is, forgiveness restores the standard of holiness in us and through us. 3. It’s not bad if your spouse thinks differently than you. Men and women think differently, and this is metaphorically demonstrated in the way they were created. Please understand what I am trying to communicate here. I am not at all trying to dishonor either gender. I know that women and men are equally intelligent. When Kathy and I got married, I didn’t understand marriage or women at all. I was so ignorant that it wasn’t even funny. I just had no value for Kathy’s opinion, while we were making decisions, when she refused to produce the facts for her conclusions. She often prefaced her statements with phrases like, “I feel like...,” “It troubles me that...,” “I don’t feel good about that...,” and so on. But what I learned over time, as many of my great decisions began to turn into mistakes, was that her “It feels like” or “This troubles me” were often a lot more accurate than the so-called facts! As the years have rolled on, I have learned to invite the rest of me, and my other half, my wife, into all of my decisions. And she has learned the same thing. We were made to be together. We are one flesh, a mystery that continues to unfold with time. 4. Vision gives pain a purpose. It is my conviction that we are living in a generation perishing for lack of vision. This is evident in many different areas of life, but I also see it in marriages. Having a vision for your marriage will help you persevere through the harder seasons that you’ll face together. Many years ago I had a vision where I was standing next to this elderly gentleman and could see him perfectly, but the man could not see me. The older man was surrounded by children and grandchildren telling stories about the family's history, lineage, and favor with God. In the vision he said, “And all of this began with your great-great-grandmother and great-great-grandfather.” I looked up and above the mantle of the fireplace and there was a huge portrait of Kathy and me! The Lord spoke to me and said: “You are no longer to live for a ministry—you are to live to leave a legacy! Your children’s children’s children are depending on you leaving them a world in revival. From this day forward, you will live for a generation that you will never see. You are to have a one-hundred-year vision so that you can build from the future.” This vision of our future helped us in developing a strategy to apprehend God’s goals for our lives, and it was the fuel that kept us going in the harder seasons. Consequently, from that day on, we began to build from the future, as the Lord had said. Let me be clear: you don't have to have a literal vision like I did, but you should have a vision and a direction for the future! ​​Your marriage isn’t just about you, it’s about the generations that will follow. The truth is, the way you love, lead, and fight for your marriage today is building a legacy for your children and their children. So take time with your spouse, dream with God, and dream with each other. Get a vision for your family’s future! The breakthrough you experience now will impact the generations to come.
By Kris Vallotton January 1, 2025
As we step into 2025, people are often thinking about engaging in the time-honored yet unspoken custom of setting New Year’s Resolutions. Many people jump on the opportunity to develop new healthier habits and pursue positive change with the start of a brand new year. Most New Year's Resolutions revolve around diet and exercise, finances, relationships, and hobbies or personal interests. New Year's Resolutions help by giving people a vision for when they endure the challenges that come with change. Losing 100 pounds or being more diligent with saving money isn't always easy and vision gives pain a purpose! All of these areas are important to focus on, but oftentimes we neglect spiritual topics when forming our resolutions. As we focus on building our physical lives and pursuing health and wholeness with the New Year, it’s crucial not to overlook our spiritual growth and well-being. I’m going to share four spiritual disciplines you can grow in this New Year, along with practical tips to help you follow through. Some of these may appear simple, but when practiced consistently over a long period of time, they can lead to deep transformation! 1. Bible Reading This should come as no surprise, but it can be very difficult to find time on a busy day to sit down and read the Scriptures. Some people have a hard time sitting and being still to read while others are bombarded by the busyness of their lives. I want to encourage you to prioritize your time in the Word this year - I make sure to read at least one chapter each day. It might mean having to sacrifice something. Perhaps it’s waking up earlier to have an extra 30 minutes in your routine. Try leaving your Bible open on your kitchen counter the night before, so you see it in the morning. Maybe you can bring your Bible during your lunch break and have a meal with Jesus. You can even listen to the Bible on audio for your morning commute! My encouragement is to start small and build the habit. 2. Prayer Personal prayer can look different to everyone. Some people have no problem praying for over an hour a day, other people have a hard time finding a moment in an entire week! The goal here is to make sure that we are staying in communion with God. There may be sometimes where you only have two minutes to pray in-between meetings or running errands. There may be other times where you have to go into your room, lock your door and pray in secret for an extended period of time like the Bible says. Let me be clear: the goal is consistent communion with the Father. Try setting reminders or alarms on your phone to go off at certain parts of the day. It doesn't have to be long. These reminders can be specific like, “Pray for my family member” or “Pray for healing for this coworker.” You can write them down on pieces of paper and stick them to the walls in your house. 3. Community This may not feel like a discipline, but one of the most challenging things that a person's spiritual growth could face is solitude. When God created Adam he said that it was not good for man to be alone. We were created for community and Jesus was often found doing ministry and life around a group of people except for the times where he went alone to pray. Stepping out into community can be challenging. Maybe you struggle with fear of rejection, not fitting in, or you're scared of how people will respond when they really begin to know you. If you find yourself being isolated, reach out to some people. Text a friend that you know and trust and share that you want to spend more time around people. If you're part of a local church see what kind of small groups they have to offer. Community is a key for growth in 2025. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” 4. Serving When Jesus was on earth he said in Matthew 20:28 that, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Serving was at the center of Jesus’ ministry. He met the physical needs of people by providing food miraculously as well as the spiritual needs of people by offering salvation to everyone who would believe. When we serve people we are like Christ. There may be people coming to your mind already who have a need. They could be in your church family, or a friend from school or work. It doesn’t have to be someone you know! Try paying for someone’s coffee in line and leaving them with some encouragement. There are so many ways that we can serve people and make them feel seen and loved. When they feel seen and loved, they are often very receptive to the Gospel. The power in these disciplines isn’t just doing them once, but in repeating them over a long period of time. As Zechariah 4:10 reminds us, we should not despise small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin. My prayer for you is that what would start as spiritual disciplines would grow into spiritual devotion. That you would find joy in these things and that they would draw you closer to the Father!
Show More

NEWSLETTER

Get free digital content from Kris with his weekly newsletter

 
Share by: