Pastor Mike Signorelli of V1 Church in New York City is no stranger to spiritual warfare.
In fact, he has spent much of his ministry not only confronting the demonic realm, but also helping Christians understand how the demonic realm operates in modern times.
However, some churches refuse to explore these issues deeply and neglect to discuss how they function today. Signorelli told CBN News there is a disconnect because “cultures are having conversations.”
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“It’s a trending topic right now,” he said of evil. “Unfortunately, people are being exposed for doing the most heinous things imaginable. I think there’s often a disconnect between the conversations that are happening in the culture and what pastors are willing to say from the pulpit.”
Although some of this is rooted in ignorance on the subject, Signorelli made a convincing point that it is difficult to ignore the reality of spiritual warfare when reading the New Testament stories.
“I think the culture supports the need for this topic,” he said, pointing to another reason why some pastors are silent. “Besides ignorance…it’s sometimes the level of compromise….I find that people often avoid feeling like they might unintentionally reveal something into their lives.”
Signorelli continued, “If you look at the topics that are being discussed in the pulpit, pastors often avoid things that they’re obviously involved in. So when you start talking about the devil, you need to talk about, ‘Where did the door open? Why is there demonic activity?’ and that leads to a conversation about sin. Of course, when you deal with sin, you might be dealing with things that are closer to home.”
Ultimately, Signorelli said, focusing on these issues may force pastors to take a “deep inventory” in their lives, something all humans need.
Signorelli said he has learned some powerful lessons about deliverance, the prayerful process of freeing a person from the realm of the devil.
“One time I was exorcising a demon from a woman. In fact, she came forward for prayer but didn’t even ask for help,” he said. “Then all of a sudden this demon started appearing and I chased it out and then she went completely limp.”
At the time, everyone believed that spiritual healing had occurred, but Signorelli sensed that something was different.
“I remember the Holy Spirit speaking to me and saying, ‘No, that devil is lying. The devil is still out there,'” he recalled. “I talked to the devil. ‘No, I know there’s still a devil out there. … You’re not fooling me,’ and as soon as I said that, this woman’s head threw back in this crazy, evil laugh.”
The moment was so shocking that everyone present jumped back. Signorelli said everything went from “she gave birth” to “oh no, no more” as people realized there was still work to do.
“It’s a movie-like moment,” he said. “I completed my deliverance, cast out the demon, and gained authority over the spirits. But in that moment I realized how real the spiritual realm is.”
Watch Signorelli tell the rest of the story above. Also, be sure to stream CBN’s new documentary “Paranormal Investigations: Angels and Demons.” Drawing on insights from trusted experts, medical knowledge, historical context, and eyewitness accounts, this documentary explores the role of angels and demons, the realities of spiritual warfare, and how these forces intersect with everyday life.
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