Some believe that ghosts or spirits are dead people who have died yet still wander around the earth. This is partly because people have seen or experienced mysterious things they cannot explain.
The world assists in creating confusion by unknowingly keeping people from the real truth. And what is this truth? Well…
The word ghost has been misconstrued; ghost and spirit are the same thing. The Hebrew word for spirit is ruach, and this means wind, breath, air and spirit. There are a few types of invisible spirits you can find on the earth: Your spirit, fallen angels, angels of God & God’s Spirit. God’s Holy Spirit lives in those who have been reborn into His Eternal family. When Yah comes, your spirit is awakened to True life, and He communes with your spirit. God is all about giving life. If he removes the “breath” that sustains and gives life to creation, everything would die (Colossians 1:16)(John 1:3).
The Bible says there is a good spirit and an evil one. The ones going around trying to deceive people into believing what is not True are evil spirits. However, people do have one thing right: the (evil ghosts/demons/evil spirits) beings portraying dead people, are dead. They are dead because they will be punished and thrown into the lake of fire (Matthew 8:29)–being separated from God, which is True death.
You are an intricate being, and every part of you goes to a proper place when you die. There are some extra-biblical sources, but these sources don’t always harmonize with the Biblical canon. Let’s connect some dots.
Your Trinity
The Word shows that when you die your being is split up temporarily. We are one yet have three distinct beings: The spirit goes back to God who gave it (Acts 7:59)(Ecclesiastes 12:7). It’s lent to us. This breath of life animates the human body (Genesis 2:7)(Acts 17:28).
Before Christ’s resurrection, all souls of the dead went to the abode of the dead. Luke 16:19-31 shows that the souls of the righteous were in a designated place, and those who were not, were in a place of torment. This is confirmed in scriptures such as Numbers 16:33, Job 33:18, Acts 2:31, Rev 9:11, Romans 10:7, Luke 23:43, 2 Peter 2:4, and Revelation 20:13. In Luke 8:31, the evil spirits begged to not be sent to the abyss, hades (tartarus part), as they feared Christ would send them there = (Luke 8:28)(2 Peter 2:4). The same word is used in Romans 10:7; the word always refers to that place. Like all people who died, that’s where Christ went. Of course, two people (recorded) in the Old testament did not experience death (Genesis 5:24)(Hebrews 11:5) (2 Kings 2:11). It seems Jesus’ resurrection brought those in Abraham’s bosom (and those alive on earth) closer to G-d in some way. The soul goes to be with the Lord if you are saved and to hades if you are not and waits for judgment (2 Cor. 5:6-8)(Philippians 1:21-24)(Matthew 11:23). Righteous souls are in heaven = Rev. 6:9-11.
Your physical body returns to the dust (Ecclesiastes 12:7). It rests. A union does not occur again until we are resurrected and reign with Christ (Acts 24:15)(John 5:28-29)(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)(John 11:24)(Rev. 20:2-7). When wicked people are resurrected, they will be thrown into the eternal fire, soul & body (Rev 20:11-15)(Matthew 10:28). The word for hell in Matthew is not hades; it’s geenna, where waste was burned. This refers to the final place of torture (lake of fire). You can read the other scriptures with the word to better understand.
So, people who have moved on are not in this realm.
People who Came Back in the Bible
There is a passage (1 Samuel 28: 7-20) in the Bible where Saul disobeyed God, and he contacted a medium, even though this was forbidden. He wanted to contact Samuel because the Lord was not answering him. And to prove a point, God allowed Samuel to come back. He prophesied about Saul’s future end. Some believe this was an evil spirit deceiving Saul because this practice was forbidden, but the Lord can bring back people whenever he wants.
This is not weird or strange, which you can find throughout the Bible (Matthew 17, John 11, Matthew 27:53, etc). This simply shows that Elohim has all power. He can part the red sea, stop the sun, miraculously heal people, bring people back from the dead, and can bring someone’s soul back to the earth. But this was for a specific purpose and rare. It also seems Gd will allow Satan to bring someone back from the dead in Revelation if the meaning is literal. This doesn’t mean a medium can contact people who’ve passed on. If a person sees this, it’s highly likely an evil spirit deceiving them.
So, What Can Evil Spirits Do?
Now, it seems evil spirits can get into the souls and bodies of people and get into their senses. They can trick people into seeing or feeling things or whatever they may experience. They can also do this by utilizing other tricks or signs. But they can only do what God allows (Isaiah 54:16).
The Bible says that we are to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). So, you need Biblical discernment. If a spirit contradicts God’s Word, then you automatically know it’s not a good spirit.
Also, some people have this idea that they can keep evil spirits out of their home or building. Some people bless a house with some ritual.
You can pray over your home, but remember that the blood of Jesus Christ protects you. We fight the enemy by living a consistent life in Christ. When you do that, a being will leave on its own because dark spirits are disgusted by a life that is pleasing to God–unless God has it there for some reason, or it is there because of someone else in your home.
You can, however, cast evil spirits out of human buildings if you are a Christian, which is how they accomplish most of their work (Matthew 12:43-45). The following is some information from the Word about these ghosts.
Evil Spirits in The Bible…
- Can get into animals if allowed (Matthew 8:31)
- They can perform tricks and false miracles (2 Thessalonians 2:9)
- Allowed access to heavenly realms. (Job 1:6)(1 Kings 22:20-23)
- God can allow them to afflict or demonize saints (Job 2:4-7, 2 Cor 12:7, Luke 13:10-16)
- They can wreak havoc on the body (Matthew 12:22, Matthew 9:32,33 Matthew 17:14-21)
- They like to live in bodies and don’t want to leave (Matthew 12:43-45)(Matthew 8:31)(Mark 9:26) (Acts 16:18)
- They can move around without a body (Matthew 12:43)
- They can talk through people and talk without a body (Matthew 8:29)(Matthew 4:1-11)(Acts 16:17)
- It’s only through Jesus Christ and your Faith in him that you can be delivered (Ephesians 6:10-12)
- They can disguise themselves as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14)
- We whose Faith lies in Christ have the authority to cast out evil spirits and even undemonize believers (if it’s God’s will – 2 Corinthians 12:8-9)(Luke 10:17,19)(Mark 16:16-18)
- Satan and his followers were thrown to earth and deceive the world (Luke 10:18)(Genesis 3:1-14)(Job 1:6-7)
- Some are more powerful than others (Mark 9:29)
- Some people have many evil spirits (Luke 8:2)
The Answer: Are You Experiencing Creepy Things?
If you are not a Christian and believe you are seeing, feeling, or hearing mysterious things, to truly understand what is going on, you will need some help. You can find out more information here. Contact me, and I’ll help you.
If you are a Christian and feel you are experiencing strange things, you should look to the Father, His Word, and the Holy Spirit that dwells within you.
It may not be a foul spirit. The Lord may be trying to get your attention for some reason. Don’t be frightened. He may want to give you a message or task. Remember the story of Samuel.
If you’re sure an evil ghost is attacking you, it’s okay to ask Gd to ‘take this thorn away.’ But, he may say no.
If you are a new Christian, you may be fighting with something that lived in you and wants to get back in. This list is not exhaustive. You need to talk to the Creator and find out what’s going on. He will never leave you or forsake you. You can also get counsel from real pastors or healers. You can contact me; we’ll explore things together.
If you are truly God’s child, you will be attacked by foul spirits at some point in your walk with Christ. Supernatural struggles and provision are normal for Christ followers. Remember that a true Christian’s life is filled with persecution and hardship (2 Timothy 3:12)(Matthew 5:11)(2 Tim. 2:3)(John 15:18–21)(Matthew 10:22)(2 Corinthians 4:9). If you never see this, something is wrong (Luke 22:31).
Some people deal with more than others, of course. Gd allowed a demon to abuse Paul to keep him humble. Satan may ask to sift certain saints like wheat. It could also happen because of disobedience = 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Samuel 16:14. If that’s the case, you need to repent and live holy.
You must learn to depend on Christ because that is what He wants from you. Also, the accuser hates you and does not want you to be victorious. Always remember that God will not allow more than you can bear. Draw nigh to Him, and He will draw nigh to you.
Shalom,
Photo Credit: Jack Mallon
