Sleep paralysis is one of the scariest experiences that a person can go through. I experienced sleep paralysis a few months ago, and as a Christian, I’ve always wondered if it has a spiritual meaning.
After I shared my experience with my Bible Study group, I realized that I wasn’t the only one who asked this question which made us wonder, can demons cause sleep paralysis?
It is unclear whether demons cause sleep paralysis. This is because sleep paralysis is mainly attributed to physiological or medical reasons. However, Christians believe that demons can appear in our lives, and some speculate that sleep paralysis is one way they manifest themselves.
In this article, I invite you to join me as we delve deeper into the topic of sleep paralysis. I uncover answers to questions such as whether sleep paralysis is mentioned in the Bible, whether demons have the authority to cause sleep paralysis, and what causes sleep paralysis.
Read on to find out.
Is sleep paralysis mentioned in the Bible?
No, sleep paralysis is not mentioned in the Bible. As much as turning to the Bible for answers is the primary instinct for Christians, unfortunately, the Bible does not give clear answers on sleep paralysis or its cause.
However, the Bible can offer comfort to those experiencing sleep paralysis which would help them sleep better.
It is possible to pray while having a sleep paralysis attack, and this has been of great help to Christians experiencing it. This will give you comfort and will let you fall back into unconsciousness.
There are also verses in the Bible to help those with sleep paralysis.
Proverbs 3:24 states, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid, when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” This shows that God will provide comfort and sound sleep to those who lack it.
Do demons have the authority to cause sleep paralysis?
After much research, it is still uncertain whether demons have the authority to cause sleep paralysis. One of the signs of sleep paralysis is seeing black figures or shadows and sometimes hearing them.
These figures are scary, and it makes sense why one would relate them to demons.
As Christians, there is no denying that sometimes demons show up in our lives, and attacking us while we sleep seems plausible. A demonic attack could be manifested in various ways, sleep paralysis being one of them.
In Christian and Jewish traditions, an exorcism is an act that aims to expel demons from a person under their influence.
Therefore, we can assume that those who experienced sleep paralysis went for exorcism if they believed that demons caused them. However, this is to be taken with a grain of salt since there is insufficient research to back it up.
What causes sleep paralysis?
Although there is an unclear spiritual reason for sleep paralysis, there is an apparent physiological reason for this terrifying experience.
Sleep paralysis is caused by a disturbed sleep pattern or a quirk in the REM cycle where you are in sleep mode, but your brain is still active.
This causes the inability to move the head, limbs, and body or make a sound. The attack can happen when falling asleep or awakening from sleep. In some cases, it is accompanied by hallucinations.
Occurrence of sleep paralysis has been linked to factors such as narcolepsy, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and a family history of sleep paralysis.
Nonetheless, anybody is prone to sleep paralysis since it is not associated with a particular age bracket.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
