To listen to Nancy’s answer recorded from Moody radio, click below.
Are there such things as ghosts? Yes, there are spirit beings, and ghosts would be an example. They are not ghosts; however, when spirit beings are defined as people who have died. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that there are spirit beings, both good and evil. But the Bible rejects the idea that the spirits of deceased human beings can remain on earth and “haunt” the living.
“Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27)
A deceased person immediately faces judgment. A believer in Jesus Christ goes directly to Heaven to be with Jesus. They will experience eternal life with no sickness, sadness, or death. The love of God will forever surround them.
“So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6–8).
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26
The person who dies and does not know Jesus will forever be in Hell. Those persons will never experience God’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. They will only experience torture for all eternity.
“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).
“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:9-11).
Scripture is clear that there is absolutely no way that those who die could remain on earth in a spirit form known as a “ghost.” The Bible also teaches that there are spirit beings who can connect with and appear in our physical world. Such beings are identified as angels and demons. Angels are spirit beings who God created to love and worship God. They are obedient and serve Him as God chooses. All angels are righteous, good, and holy.
Satan, known as Lucifer, disobeyed God when He was with God and the angels in Heaven. Instead of worshiping God, He chose to become worshiped as God and was kicked out of Heaven and became Satan, the devil, the deceiver, and the liar. When Satan left Heaven, he went with ⅓ of the disobedient angels in Heaven. Those evil angels chose to worship Satan and were also exited out of Heaven to Earth. They are called “Demons.”
“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
Satan’s demons will do anything within their power to ensnare people and to lead them away from God by lying and deceiving. This kind of practice is very likely the ghostly activity we hear about today. Whether it is called a ghost, a ghoul, or a poltergeist, if there is evil spiritual activity occurring, it might well be the work of demons.
Psychics, séances, tarot cards, and mediums are increasingly considered normal. Most of those involved in these activities do not understand that what they believe in is not of God; it is evil. All those engaged in occultic practices are people who are doing Satan’s bidding. Many Christians are fascinated with satanic beings in the spirit world. Satan entices all to come to him, including the elite, the pastor, or the student. Satan is behind lying, cheating, and stealing to get his way. The only way to fight against Satan’s lies and deception is to seek the truth about God and do what Jesus has called us to do. Satan’s world is dark and hopeless. Jesus, however, is the light of this world. Through His light, we can navigate through the dark things of this world. Spirits, demons, and fallen angels are sent to this earth to kill and destroy but Christ has come to give us eternal life.
The Christian need not worry about Satan’s power. When we become God’s child by believing in Him, God gave us the Holy Spirit to fend off Satan and his demons’ advances. When attacked, we must stand firm on His Word and fight off Satan’s advances with the truth of God. Satan knows his end. When Jesus returns to earth, He will throw Satan into an eternal lake of fire. Hopelessness and death are his future.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
“And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).