Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 1/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello. I met a women claiming that her business was lived in by a ghost/spirit of someone who had died there. What does the bible say about ghosts/spirits and how to avoid them.

ANSWER: Carly,

Thank you for your question and the opportunity to help. Please allow me to share with you what I have learned about the subject of ghosts...

Is there such a thing as ghosts? The answer to this question depends on what precisely is meant by the term “ghosts.” If the term means “spirit beings,” the answer is a qualified “yes.” If the term means “spirits of people who have died,” the answer is “no.” The Bible makes it abundantly clear that there are spirit beings, both good and evil. But the Bible negates the idea that the spirits of deceased human beings can remain on earth and “haunt” the living.

Hebrews 9:27 declares, “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” That is what happens to a person’s soul-spirit after death—judgment. The result of this judgment is heaven for the believer (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23) and hell for the unbeliever (Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:22-24). There is no in-between. There is no possibility of remaining on earth in spirit form as a “ghost.” If there are such things as ghosts, according to the Bible, they absolutely cannot be the disembodied spirits of deceased human beings.

The Bible teaches very clearly that there are indeed spirit beings who can connect with and appear in our physical world. The Bible identifies these beings as angels and demons. Angels are spirit beings who are faithful in serving God. Angels are righteous, good, and holy. Demons are fallen angels, angels who rebelled against God. Demons are evil, deceptive, and destructive. According to 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, demons masquerade as “angels of light” and as “servants of righteousness.” Appearing as a “ghost” and impersonating a deceased human being definitely seem to be within the power and abilities that demons possess.

The closest biblical example of a “haunting” is found in Mark 5:1-20. A legion of demons possessed a man and used the man to haunt a graveyard. There were no ghosts involved. It was a case of a normal person being controlled by demons to terrorize the people of that area. Demons only seek to “kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10). They will do anything within their power to deceive people, to lead people away from God. This is very likely the explanation of “ghostly” activity today. Whether it is called a ghost, a ghoul, or a poltergeist, if there is genuine evil spiritual activity occurring, it is the work of demons.

What about instances in which “ghosts” act in “positive” ways? What about psychics who claim to summon the deceased and gain true and useful information from them? Again, it is crucial to remember that the goal of demons is to deceive. If the result is that people trust in a psychic instead of God, a demon will be more than willing to reveal true information. Even good and true information, if from a source with evil motives, can be used to mislead, corrupt, and destroy.

Interest in the paranormal is becoming increasingly common. There are individuals and businesses that claim to be “ghost-hunters,” who for a price will rid your home of ghosts. Psychics, séances, tarot cards, and mediums are increasingly considered normal. Human beings are innately aware of the spiritual world. Sadly, instead of seeking the truth about the spirit world by communing with God and studying His Word, many people allow themselves to be led astray by the spirit world. The demons surely laugh at the spiritual mass-deception that exists in the world today.(gotquestions.org)

Carly, please let me know if this helps or if you have nay further questions.

Elder Greg Madden

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This is an addition to  my previous question. Many people worry about weather their dead relatives are in heaven or not. I thought that anyone who confessed with thier mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes that God raised him would go to heaven (some dissagree with me though). I can see why they would worry because I worry over my salvation. Any help?

Answer
Carly,

Many Believer like yourself (and like myself) at time have thoughts about our salvation. We wonder "if" we are really saved or not. That is why it is important for us to understand that salvation is received through sincere, godly repentance, and whole-hearted acceptance and confession of Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. You see, a Christian is not a religious person, or merely a member of a church; a Christian is one who has been forgiven of his or her sin and has an ongoing personal relationship with God. Not only this, a Christian is someone that Jesus Christ lives in, one that has been born again (John 3.3) and lives in the assurance that Jesus paid the price for them to be right with God and go to heaven
It’s as easy as A.B.C.          A. Acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness .
B. Believe that Jesus died for the forgiveness of your sins on the cross.
C. Confess Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

Now the Bible does teach us that a Christian will be persevered unto the end and be saved because of the power of Gods grace pledged for their support, and that any saved person who has sinned (backslidden), but has a desire to repent, may do so and be restored to God's favor and fellowship. However, since man continues to have free choice, it is possible because of temptations and the weakness of human flesh for him to fall into the practice of sin and to make shipwreck of his faith and be lost once again.

So with this in mind, it is very important that we live a daily walk with Christ. This walk of faith is expressed through such daily activities as…
1. Prayer: Rom.12:12, Eph.6:8, Col.4:2
2. Bible reading: 2Tim.2:15
3. Acknowledging our dependency upon Christ, and His finished work on the Cross, for our victory over all sins and things that would hinder our walk with Christ: Matt.16:24, 1Cor.1:18, Gal.6:14

Carly, once again please let me know if this help or if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden