Spiritual Portals
Some places are like access points or portals to the spirit world (Gen 28:17, NEB). There is a more concentrated presence of evil or of the Lord in that place. Consider the obvious example of the incarnation. The Word (Jn 1:1), who is God the Son, the second Person of the Trinity, is eternal. At a point in time the Word forever joined Himself to humanity be becoming the God-man, Jesus. Jesus, in his humanity, was born. He lives forever and is forever our one mediator (1 Tim 2:5). Yet, Jesus was and always will be a human man. Therefore, He is in one place at a time. In His incarnation, He is not all-present. Of course, we believe that while the Word became flesh in Jesus, the Word also existed outside the body of Jesus. In this sense, the Son was all-present (omnipresent) and continuing to sustain the universe (Col 1:17) even when He had just been born as the God-man, Jesus, lying on Mary’s breast. The point is, those who were in the presence of Jesus were in the presence of God in a way that was more powerful and easier to detect than had they been someplace else.
The same principle also applies to the demonic. Houses can be haunted by demons. The Isa 13:21 passage speaks of the presence of demons (AAT; NBV note; Septuagint; NRSV). Just as certain people or places seem to carry God’s presence in a more powerful way, so, too, some people or places carry a more powerful demonic presence (Lev 4:1-3, IVPBBC note). This often happens because of evil activities that occur at a specific place and, thus, acts as a magnet for the demonic. Satan is the spirit at work in those who refuse to obey (Eph 2:2, NCV).
If we would put ourself in a position to better sense God’s presence and be able to touch the hem of His garment, so to speak, then we would do well to be with men and women who deeply love the Lord (Jn 14:21). They are more likely to have ‘attracted’ His presence or, if you prefer, His anointing is likely to be stronger with them. This is why God may move in more powerful ways in groups of godly believers and why having the elders pray for our healing can be important (Jas 5:14). In like manner, unless the Lord has clearly called us to be in a place or with a person who carries a greater presence of evil, we would do well to avoid such contact points. Let us listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the church.
Comforting others is costly but worth it.