I had a question regarding something that is not necessarily “scriptural,” but I believe can be connected back to Scripture. My question is basically: “Do ghosts exist?”<\/p>\n
Now, this question is more complex than it appears. By “ghosts,” I am not necessarily referring to souls of dead people stuck on earth (the secular definition), but I am referring to simply “spirits,” most likely demonic. I do not know if you are familiar with shows such as “Ghost Hunters,” where paranormal investigators scientifically investigate ghosts. They find some startling results from their investigations, such as voices recorded on tape recorders which were not originally heard by anyone, objects being moved, even the occasional “apparition,” either a shadow, a strange figure, etc.<\/p>\n
I have heard the theory that ghosts acting like people of the past are really just demons who are pretending to be in order to trick humans (most likely to create false religions, which actually has happened, as paranormal societies have their own “religions.”).<\/p>\n
So, basically, I’m asking a two-part question: Do you believe in “ghosts” (demons) and their existence on earth? Do you believe they can be scientifically detected (which raises far too many other questions about the universe and reality, which I won’t even go into because nobody has the answer)?<\/p>\n
I ask because I noticed you mentioned in another question that after Jesus, demons no longer possess people. But I believe that they still do possess people (I’ve heard lots of stories of it), and are just as crafty as they were with Jesus if not more (as they are hanging out in certain places pretending to be people from the past).<\/p>\n
I know I haven’t asked a straightforward question, but I’m just curious to hear some of your commentary on the subject.<\/p>\n\t
Let’s use more precise terms. You are asking if spirits, or spiritual beings, exist and interact in this world. That question is straightforward to answer:<\/p>\n
In speaking of angels, the writer of Hebrews stated, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?<\/em>” (Hebrews 1:14). And we also know on the bad side that “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons<\/em>” (I Timothy 4:1). Notice that neither verse states how these beings are operating in the world, only that they are operating.<\/p>\n Satan is a spiritual being and Christians are warned, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour<\/em>” (I Peter 5:8). But the battle isn’t conducted in the physical realm. It is a battle of words. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ<\/em>” (II Corinthians 10:3-5).<\/p>\n I’m sorry, but a television show is definitely not evidence of the spiritual world. Having done work in the field of computer-generated special effects, I know how easy (and difficult) it is to modify footage. Whether this show is faked or not isn’t the point. The fact remains that because modifications can and do exist, a television show doesn’t offer proof.<\/p>\n Can spirits be scientifically detected? Probably not. The Bible states that men are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:28), which means each of us has a spiritual component. Yet, science has yet to be able to detect that component. But they haven’t figured out what makes something “alive” yet either, so I wouldn’t hold your breath.<\/p>\n Whether you accept what the Bible states is not evidence either. I know people claim demon possession, but claims don’t constitute evidence either. Me? I stick to what God said about His universe. He stated that unclean spirits would be removed from the land (Zechariah 13:1-3). Jesus stated that anyone who later claimed to cast out demons would not be doing God’s will (Matthew 7:21-23). Demons are around encouraging the spread of lies, but they no longer are allowed to take possession of a person.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Question: I had a question regarding something that is not necessarily “scriptural,” but I believe can be connected back to Scripture. My question is basically: “Do ghosts exist?” Now, this question is more complex than it appears. By “ghosts,” I am not necessarily referring to souls of dead people stuck on earth (the secular definition),…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[20],"tags":[1502,685,855,1148],"class_list":["post-19177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-answer","tag-angels","tag-demons","tag-ghosts","tag-spiritual-realm"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7491,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-about-ghosts-and-speaking-with-the-dead\/","url_meta":{"origin":19177,"position":0},"title":"What about ghosts and speaking with the dead?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 22, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I heard that communication with spirits is forbidden. Is this true? How about those who claim that they can communicate with spirits? Is it a gift from God that they can do that? I learned that there is a verse in Revelation that goes something like this: \"...the dead\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":34472,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/im-afraid-to-be-alone-at-night\/","url_meta":{"origin":19177,"position":1},"title":"I’m afraid to be alone at night","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 22, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I want to ask for your direction and advice, please. At the moment I am 26 years old man. I have my own small business and have this problem. I am afraid to be alone. I can't stand to be alone in my home. If my family members go\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9644,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/spirits-surround-us-at-all-times\/","url_meta":{"origin":19177,"position":2},"title":"Spirits surround us at all times","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 2, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I like your website, I'm sure it took a lot of work. There is one part that queries if there are ghosts among us, which effectively answers no. I find this interpretation to be incorrect based on the evidence - spirits surround us at all times. I do not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":31656,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-about-ghosts-sacrificing-to-the-dead-and-sin\/","url_meta":{"origin":19177,"position":3},"title":"What about ghosts, sacrificing to the dead, and sin?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 8, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I have doubts about certain religions. People have asked me what I believe regarding these things and I honestly don't know what the Bible says about it. You probably know about religions that preach about \"ghosts\" or \"spirits.\" I've even heard about people who sacrifice animals or other people\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":31658,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/are-there-ghost-amongst-us\/","url_meta":{"origin":19177,"position":4},"title":"Are There “Ghost Amongst Us”?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 4, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jack Wise Jr. \u00a0 Many believe the spirits of dead people walk on the earth. Many \"psychics\" claim they can speak to the dead. Is it true? Do the spirits of the deceased rise from the grave and walk amongst us? Solomon, the wisest man to have ever lived,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/ghost.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13873,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/my-child-has-become-fearful-of-our-new-house\/","url_meta":{"origin":19177,"position":5},"title":"My child has become fearful of our new house","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 24, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I love your web site! Please advise: I have a 5-year-old son who has two older sisters. They have all been watching the Disney Channel's Halloween specials. I just found out how scary they are, at least to a 5-year-old! 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