Sleep Paralysis: A Spiritual Attack or Science? What the Bible Really Says

Sleep paralysis is one of the most terrifying experiences I've ever faced—but also one of the most misunderstood. In this post, I want to shed light on both the medical and spiritual layers of this phenomenon, and how Jesus has brought healing into one of the darkest parts of my life.

Is It All in Your Head? Well… Not Exactly

What is Sleep Paralysis?

"Sleep paralysis (parasomnia) is an unusual neurologic phenomenon which may be described as 'brief accesses of inability to move one's limbs, to speak and even to open one's eyes on awakening (hypnapompic or postdormital sleep paralysis) or more rarely when falling asleep (hypnagogic or predormital sleep paralysis).'11 The patient is fully aware of his state and has complete recall for the event. Sleep paralysis is occasionally preceded or accompanied by vivid and terrifying hallucinations in the pre- or postdormital stages of sleep. Rarely, it may be preceded by cataplexy. The paralysis always disappears suddenly, either spontaneously, after intense effort by the patient to "break" the paralysis, or after some sensory stimulation, such as being touched or spoken to. The duration of the episode is usually a few seconds, but may be a few minutes." (Source)

How common is Sleep Paralysis?

"About 20% of people may have sleep paralysis at some time in their life. It often starts in your teen years, and continues into your 20s and 30s. Sleep paralysis may run in families." (Source)

What causes Sleep Paralysis?

"Sleep paralysis can occur when you’re either transitioning into or out of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the phase of sleep in which you dream. As the name implies, your eyes move around during REM. Your breathing and heart rate also increase. REM sleep also comes with muscle atonia, a state of temporary paralysis that keeps you from physically thrashing around as you dream. Sleep paralysis episodes occur when muscle atonia is maintained even as you shift out of REM sleep and begin to wake. In other words, the temporary paralysis is completely normal and natural. You’re just typically unaware of it." (Source)

The exact cause is mostly unknown, but believed it can also be caused by sleep disorders, interrupted sleeping patterns, mental health conditions, medications, and substance use. (Source)

What are the symptoms of Sleep Paralysis?

Fear, restricted breathing, inability to move or open your eyes, and hallucinations. (Source)

What are the type of experiences people go through during Sleep Paralysis?

Intruder hallucinations
"Incubus/succubus" spirits
Out-of-body experiences
Floating or vibrating sensations

What are some cultural experiences with Sleep Paralysis?

"...Canadian Eskimos attribute SP to spells of shamans, who hinder the ability to move, and provoke hallucinations of a shapeless presence. In the Japanese tradition, SP is due to a vengeful spirit who suffocates his enemies while sleeping. In Nigerian culture, a female demon attacks during dreaming and provokes paralysis. A modern manifestation of SP is the report of “alien abductions”, experienced as inability to move during awakening associated with visual hallucinations of aliens." (Source)

Types

Wikipedia is a great resource for all types of "demons" during Sleep Paralysis. I have experienced a few of these. You can read about them here and I will reference some below:

Night Hag (Most common I hear about and see)
Mare
Kana Tevoro (This one is called "eating". I have experienced this before, but I think it may be too disturbing to share)
Witch Riding
Roch

Have You Experienced This Yourself?

Oh boy, have I?! Lol. But seriously—I’ve been experiencing sleep paralysis since I was a little girl. It doesn’t happen much anymore, praise God, but it still shows up once in a while. These days, nothing really intense happens when it does, and honestly, I often see Jesus intervening. It's incredible. (More on that in a second.)

My sleep paralysis really took a turn for the worse when I became a teenager. Then? All hell broke loose after I came to Christ. As a child, I didn’t think much of the experiences. But the closer I got to Jesus—the more I surrendered, obeyed, and walked with Him—the more it intensified. It started happening occasionally, then every few days, and eventually, it was every single day.

My experiences were abusive, revelatory, and deeply spiritual—especially sexually and emotionally. If you're unfamiliar with the spirit spouse concept—it's the idea that demons pose as spouses in dreams to forge counterfeit intimacy and sow torment. I've written more in-depth here, if you're interested in that side of it.

Some of My Stories: God’s Deliverance Through Sleep Paralysis

Disclaimer: Some of the experiences I’m sharing happened before I fully gave my life to Christ. I was still living in sin and didn’t understand how dangerous or deceptive these experiences could be. If anything regarding sexual or physical trauma may be triggering, feel free to skip this section.

Covered by His Blood
I was lying on my bed when I saw a hooded dark figure in front of me. Before it could touch me, the Holy Spirit opened my mouth, and I declared three times, “I am covered by the blood of Jesus!” As soon as the demon tried to reach out, it screamed—and the dream ended immediately.

Under the Wings of the Almighty
One day before a nap, I heard the Lord say, “I will speak to you in a dream.” In the dream, I was lying on my stomach on a rock. I saw Satan himself charging toward me like a beast. He hit the rock, and I flew into the air—but landed safely on another. Then I saw the Lord! His face was hidden beneath His wings. He picked me up and flew. The enemy chased us, but Jesus trapped him and cast him into the lake of fire.

Physical Abuse
During a season where I was still in sin, I foolishly thought these “dreams” were fun—especially the ones that felt sexual. But one time was different. The demon wasn’t there for pleasure but to harm. I was on my stomach, and it climbed on my back, slamming my head into the pillow repeatedly. I woke up screaming.

Sexual Abuse
I’ve had far too many of these. They were clockwork—demonic entities coming to “rape” me during sleep. Some even disguised themselves as Christ to violate me. I don’t say this lightly: this is spiritual warfare. I’ve seen up to three demons taking turns. It’s terrifying. It’s vile. And it’s real.

Jesus Coaching!
This happened recently—July 2025. I was sleep-deprived (my husband works nights, and my schedule’s a little wild right now). There wasn’t a demon in this one, but my soul still panicked a bit. Then Jesus came. It was like we were in a separate realm together. He looked at me and said, “What are the Scriptures? You hem me in behind and before...you have not been given a spirit of fear...”

He nodded His head gently like someone grounding you, helping you breathe. I can’t explain how beautiful it was—experiencing both the humanity and the authority of Christ in that moment. We recited Scripture together until I woke up, completely at peace.

Is Sleep Paralysis Spiritual or Medical?

I believe sleep paralysis is both a medical phenomenon and something the enemy hijacks to attack people mentally and spiritually—especially in their most vulnerable state: sleep.

Picture it this way: you hear stories about people getting attacked in their sleep because it’s the easiest time to be caught off guard. The enemy does the same thing—it’s easy, swift, and subtle.

There are just too many testimonies—too many people (myself included!) who say that calling on the name of Jesus immediately stops the attack. That is not a coincidence. And from experience, I can say my sleep paralysis episodes exploded after I came to Christ. I even tracked the frequency and patterns.

Let’s not forget Scripture:

“A word was secretly brought to me; my ears caught a whisper of it. Amid disquieting dreams in the night, when deep sleep falls on people, fear and trembling seized me and made all my bones shake. A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end. It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice…” (Job 4:12-16)

Can the Devil Hurt Believers in Their Sleep?

With peace in my heart, I say: NO.

He can try to tempt you. He can stir fear. He can try to make you feel perverse or broken by what you see in your sleep. But he cannot freely harm or violate you. God is a God of order, not chaos (1 Cor. 14:33), and the devil cannot just do whatever he wants to God’s children.

The demons had to ask Jesus permission just to go into pigs (Matt. 8:31–32). That same order exists for us. God does not show favoritism (Rom. 2:11), and if you are in Christ, your life is held in His hands—even while you sleep.

How to Break Free During an Episode

Remain Calm: I know, easier said than done—but it helps so much.
Move Something Small: Wiggle your toes or fingers if you can.
Call on Jesus: If you can’t speak, say His name in your mind.
Rest in His Peace: Remember—if it’s demonic, it’s just warfare. It’s not who you are. You are protected.

“But I’ve Tried That, and Nothing’s Working…”

I hear you. I’ve been you. Especially during the sexual attacks—I used to feel abandoned. But friend, listen: divine intervention can and does happen. It may not always come the way we expect, but God never leaves His own.

You are in a covenant. That covenant is sealed in the blood of Jesus, and it cannot be broken. Nothing—no demon, no nightmare, no dream—can separate you from His love (Romans 8:31–39). You are not forgotten.

That said, also take some time to reflect: are there any open doors? Sin, trauma, or areas where healing is still needed? This isn’t blame. It’s an invitation to wholeness.

Prayer You Can Use

* You MUST be a believer of Jesus Christ to do this and BORN AGAIN. I will always emphasize this. You cannot go into the spiritual realm uncovered.

Father in Heaven,
My Refuge and Defender, I come before you in the name of Jesus Christ, fully covered by His blood. I thank you that I am Yours and You are mine. Right now, I take up the full armor of God and I declare that I stand in your strength and not in my own.
In Jesus mighty name, I bind and block every tormenting, lustful, accusing, fearful, and annoying spirit that would seek to disturb my rest, attack my identity, or interfere with my communion with you.
Let every voice that is not from you be silenced. Let every dream realm invasion be shut down and cast out. Let every foul spirit be arrested by angels assigned to me and thrown back into the abyss never to return.
Jesus you are Lord over my mornings and my nights. You are the gatekeeper of my mind and soul. I give you full permission to close any doors that the enemy has tried to sneak through and to seal them shut by Your Spirit.
Holy Spirit fill every space where the enemy tried to gain access. Flood my mornings with your peace, clarity, and joy. Flood my dreams with heavenly encounters, visions, rest, and renewal.
I declare that I wake up in victory, not torment. I sleep under covenant, not under attack. I belong to Jesus in body, soul, and spirit. I am sealed, protected, and beloved. Let your angels stand guard at my bed, my door, and around my spirit. Let your voice be the first I hear and the last I hear.
In Jesus holy, undefeated, and unstoppable name, amen.

Scriptures For Comfort

Psalm 4:8
Proverbs 3:24
Psalm 3:5
Psalm 91:5
Isaiah 26:3
Isaiah 26:9
Psalm 121:3-4
Matthew 11:28-29
Psalm 127:2
Job 11:18-19
Jeremiah 31:26

Final Thoughts

In conclusion: Sleep paralysis, to me, is both a medical sleep issue and a spiritual attack. I say “both” because not every episode I've had was spiritual. But many of them were—and those were clear, dark, and demonic. I’ve also seen the beauty of Jesus intervening firsthand.

So here's what I stand on: No weapon formed against us will prosper (Isaiah 54:17)—and we already have the victory in Christ (Romans 8:31). He is with us always, even while we sleep.

My Prayer For You

Lord Jesus, I ask You to bring rest to every reader who’s afraid to close their eyes. You give sleep and rest to your beloved. You are the Keeper of our souls. Bring peace where fear has ruled, our Prince of Peace. In your name Lord, amen.

With comfort and a holy kiss,

Love Ashley 💓

🧠 Sleep Paralysis Myth-Busting (Wrap-Up)

Is it always demonic?
Not always. Sometimes it’s just a neurological phenomenon. I’ve had episodes that were purely medical with no spiritual sense at all.

Can it happen to non-believers too?
Yes—many non-Christians experience sleep paralysis. But I’ve noticed the enemy especially targets believers as we grow closer to Christ. He’s strategic.

Is calling on Jesus just a placebo?
Nope. Too many of us—including me—have seen sleep paralysis instantly break when we call on His name. That’s more than coincidence; that’s power.

So which is it—medical or spiritual?
It can be both. Discernment is key. Just don’t ignore the spiritual if it’s clearly there, and don’t over-spiritualize what may just be poor sleep hygiene or stress.

Credit to author: Papaya‑Style, from Bored Panda’s ‘The Horror Of Sleep Paralysis…’ Collection

Incredible art of sleep paralysis experiences and interpretations, here

LEVZERA