Christians only please answer: Your opinion on ghosts?

Question

Please provide scriptural proof, if you can. My husband and I sometimes think our old house is haunted or inhabited by some kind of spirit entity.

I know there are many Biblical examples of people being inhabited and controlled by demons, but what about places?

Great answers, thanks. I am very spiritually oriented and my husband is more "down to earth" and we are both convinced. I would never try to communicate with whatever is here, but things have seemed to move on their own and I have seen "movement" in my peripheral vision on more than one occasion.

Another thing is that neither of us feel like we will be harmed in any way and our life here is peaceful. We joke about this.

Answer 1

What the Bible Says

Many Christians have had God-given deliverances from problems and believed they were delivered from demon possession. But we must search the Scriptures to see if their interpretation of what happened is really in line with what the Bible teaches.

Some, for example, teach that since the Bible speaks of a spirit of cowardly fear, any deliverance from fear must be by the casting out of an evil spirit or demon of fear. But an examination of the same passage (2 Timothy 1:7) shows it speaks also of a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind or self-control. If people interpret fear to be an evil spirit needing to be cast out, to be consistent they would need to beseech three good spirits to come in.

The fallacy of this reasoning is obvious. Love and self-control are fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives. By a spirit of love and of self-control is meant the attitudes that result from our cooperation with the Holy Spirit.

Actually, the word spirit in many cases means an attitude or a disposition. David spoke of a broken spirit (Psalm 51:17); Solomon of a humble spirit (Proverbs 16:19). Paul wanted to come to Corinth, not with a rod, but with love and a meek or gentle spirit (1 Corinthians 4:21). Peter spoke of the adorning of the heart with the imperishable gift of a meek and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4), actually meaning a quiet disposition. This is in line with the frequent use of the word spirit for one’s own spirit and its expressions (Haggai 1:14; Acts 17:16; 1 Corinthians 2:11, etc.).

Thus, unless the context shows that an independent spirit-being is meant, it seems best to take most phrases such as a haughty spirit, a hasty spirit, a spirit of slumber, a spirit of jealousy, etc., to be sins of the disposition or lusts of the flesh (Galatians 6), and not demons.

A serious danger in considering all these sins of the disposition to be demons is that the individual may feel no responsibility for personal actions and feel that the necessity for repentance is removed. Actually, the Bible calls people to repent of these things and to put off these attitudes. The great conflict within us is not between the Holy Spirit and demons, but between the indwelling Holy Spirit and the flesh (that is, all the sensory apparatus that tends toward sin).

When the word spirit is used of demons, the Bible may speak of an evil or unclean spirit. Sometimes the words are used together; for example, "a spirit of an unclean devil" (Luke 4:33).

In many cases these demons caused sickness. But the New Testament does not ascribe all sickness to demons or evil spirits. In fact, many passages make a clear distinction between sicknesses and diseases not caused by demons and those caused by demons (Matthew 4:24; 8:16; 9:32,33; 10:1; Mark 1:32; 3:15; Luke 6:17,18; 9:1, etc.). In none of these examples is there any indication that any of these sicknesses caused by demons were of people in right relation to God. We must remember also that all of these examples took place before Pentecost.

The word daimonizomai, to be possessed of a demon, or, as some put it, to be demonized, is not as common. It is used as a verb only once and that of a Canaanite girl who was "badly demonized," or cruelly tormented by a demon. Everywhere else it is found as a participle which should be translated, "the demoniac(s)" (Matthew 8:28,33; 9:32; 12:22; Mark 5:15—18; Luke 8:35). Again, in no case is there any indication that any of these "demoniacs" or demonized persons was right with God; and in most cases they suffered severe torment–and a dramatic change of personality.

Another great problem with the idea that demons may possess Christians is a concept that erodes faith and waters down our concept of God and the salvation He provides. God is our Father. He has "rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" (Colossians1:13). In "this darkness we used to live when [we] followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" (Ephesians 2:2). But now God by His love has saved us and made us "fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household" (Ephesians 2:19). It would seem contradictory for demons to indwell our bodies now that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

We were once servants of sin (Romans 6:17) but now we are free to live for Christ. It is still possible to sin, but if a believer sins, it is because of having become willing to do so, not because of having been invaded by a demon. The Book of Romans calls not for the casting out of demons but for a faith act by which one becomes what one is.

For a Christian to have a demon would bring a division that Jesus refused to admit. The Pharisees tried to say that Jesus cast out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:24). They supposed the kingdom of Satan might be divided against itself. Jesus rejected this. Luke 11:21,22 further implies that Jesus has bound Satan as far as Satan’s power to enslave a believer is concerned. Only when a demon returns and finds the house empty is he able to reenter (Luke 11:24—26).

The idea of a true believer being inhabited by a demon also erodes the biblical concept of salvation and peace. It may produce terrible fear as Christians begin to wonder what demon will invade them next. This is certainly not in line with the freedom the Bible assures us we have. Early Christians had no such fear, nor did the Church of the second century.

Hermas, who wrote a very influential Christian book called The Shepherd about a.d. 139,. rebuked corruption and encouraged Christian virtue. In the book he also spoke of evil spirits that were able to live and reign within a person, but denied that the Holy Spirit could live in the same person with these evil spirits.

The Scripture is full of assurance for the believer: "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). A believer is a person who is delivered from the devil. This is fundamental. Some point to Ananias and Sapphira as exceptions. But Ananias either apostatized before Satan filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, or else he and his wife were among those who joined themselves to the church rather than being added to it by the Spirit (see Acts 5:13,14). At the time, at least, they were no more than professing Christians.

Answer 2

There is no scriptural evidence for ghosts that I am aware of, though there is scriptural evidence for demonic spirits.

As a matter of fact, this past summer we were having some odd occurances in our own home. We saw a figure that looked like a man that was around 6' tall and we also heard many odd noises. Sometimes we would hear someone walking upstairs when no one was there or we would hear loud crashes. We have not experienced any more of this behavior recently. Honestly, everything stopped in our home once I hung a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which many people believe brings protection. Since purchasing the picture and hanging it, we have not heard one out of place sound nor seen anything suspicious.

Answer 3

the only ghost that I would suggest associating with is the "Holy Ghost". The devil and his boys are dark ghost that will inhabit the people it can. They start out by counterfitting some loved one or someone from the past and will eventually convince you that you are in communication with your grandmother that passed away. From here it is a short drive to posession of your mind. From there it is convincing you that you are some kind of medium or can communicate with the dead.
When Jesus left He sent the Holy Spirit to be our teacher and comforter. With the Holy Spirit comes the gift of discernment. This give you the ability to discern what is from God and what isn't. Stay away from the curious arts, they will deceive you and might take you into a life of hell. Remember it all starts out in fun but ends up very serious. If you want to have a spirit living in you other then yours then ask Jesus to come into your heart and baptise you with His Holy Spirit. You then will have the power to ward off all of the firey darts of the evil one.

Answer 4

Demonic Spirits.

Answer 5

I don't have any scriptural proof but i can tell you that me and other members of my family have experienced ghosts. So i know they are real. Now being controlled by demons may not be the case. Perhaps they are just lost souls or those who aren't ready to cross over yet. They are real.

Answer 6

The Bible say our war is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of the air. Their is spiritual warfare going on all the time, Satan is trying to fight against everything God stands for and he has his troops busy all the time.

I think most adults can't see much of what is going on because they are blinded by the sin in their lives, children see better because they are not as full of sin or as quick to think they no better.

I don't think that these things are dead people or ghost of loved ones, I think they are evil spirits or angels. I would not try to make friends with any spirit unless it is from God and would tell you that Jesus Christ is lord.

I have (as a child) seen some of these spirits, and trust me they are not something to mess with lightly. I found my hope and protection in Christ. If you don't know him as Lord of your life I would see to that first.

Answer 7

Their are demons entity that are here to confused and people call them ghost..Places are also inhabited by demon entity's..Bars houses you name it.. Any were they can come in their coming and who ever they can come in they will enter.And don't con fuss your self with words haunted no possessed yes.Words is what con fuss the world...You should bless this house inside and out...God bless you and your Family seems to me Satan's demons are tempting you and your family..Pray and have others pray for your Family...May the Lord shine His loving Light own your Family and your Home...God bless us all..

Answer 8

I beleive these "ghost" are demonic. They masque as messengers of light, they decieve people. These demonic spirits have one thing is common...they want you to be decieved. This is a topic of Spiritual Warfare.

Pray over your house. Take Spiritual Athority over the property. Tell the spirits they are not wecome and command them to leave in the Name of Jesus. Make sure to take inventory of your possessions...throw out anything that is occultic. Also ask God to clease your household of these things.

The book of Acts has reference to Paul cursing a woman who was using spiritism. careful of some of the teaching out there...some of them are very bizzare.

Answer 9

Be advised,read the book of Revelations.I can't quote the scripture,but I can tell you the closer we get to the second coming of Christ,the more supernatural phenomenon you will see.That goes for all of us.Satan's demon will begin to pull out all the stops,because they know their time is running out.
The time of the gentiles is over.It's not a question anymore of if Jesus will come back.It is now when he will come back.Pay close attention to the migration of the Jews back to Israel.

The world's time is drawing nigh.

Answer 10

Hey
To tell you the truth there is no such thing as ghost,See it is all like this some of us eg me have fear to darkness so we think alot about it and we even get scared sometimes our brain makes illustion like op thing like sometiume we feel we saw something in the dark but it is all illustion and maybe since it is a old house it might look creapy maybe there some rats that might be running around in the house that scared,

Best Wishes
Chulan
Hopefully i get voted!!!

Answer 11

I don't know of any right off, but I do know that when people die they either go to Heaven or Hell; there is no in between. What many people think are ghosts are actually demons.