Ghosts are real? Well, to answer this question we must first define what is meant by the term “ghosts.” If the term means “spirit beings,” the answer is a sure “yes.” If the term means “spirits of people who have died,” the answer is “no.” In the Bible it is clear that there are spirit beings, both good and evil. But the Bible denies 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 makes it clear 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.
When you were a new Christian, chances are that you avoided the concept or the idea that demons exist and are very real today. That's because the world and media today have forced us to believe some ideas about demons that may haze our concept of the truth.Horror films and ghost stories make us believe that evil spirits are on the move to destroy us. That part is true, but they don't use chainsaws and spells to do that. And while it is the number one mission of demons to destroy our lives, there are more damaging ways that they do that.Demons were once glorious angels who fell short of the glory of God and are doomed to one day be locked up in eternal damnation, and their one goal in their lives is to take as many people with them.
What does the Bible teach us about demons?Demons don't want you in a relationship with God. John 10:10 says that "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Demons don't just want your heads chopped off or your minds shattered in pieces. Their goal is to sever your spirit from the Spirit of God both today and for all eternity.The Bible tells us that demons are already set for defeat. Matthew 25:41 says, "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.'"
Demons can be defeated. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The biblical emphasis on demons is that they are already defeated because of the finished work of Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, it made all of the darkness shudder in fear because He had finally broken the power of sin. 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.