Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Are Ghosts Real?

Are ghosts real? No doubt, ghosts intrigue us. Supernatural beings scare us, and paranormal activity interests everyone. Still, there are those who disavow their existence. There are Christians who believe they exist, but should be avoided because they are evil.

Let me know what you believe.

The dictionary gives this definition of supernatural as: not explainable by natural forces or accepted rules. Many people testify to occurrences that can’t be explained in the natural realm. Are they crazy or hallucinating, or lying?

The Bible is a Christian’s reference for knowledge and guidance, so here's my take:

I learned two things about ghosts or supernatural beings from my study.
1) Spirits of people who have died are not real.
Hebrews 9:27 tells us God appointed one time only for each of us to die. I would not put "out of body" experiences here because they do not move around the earth as spirit beings, but drift off and immediately back to earth as living people. I concur from this verse that people can’t die and live on as spirit beings before they “follow the light” as popular TV shows such as Ghost Whisperer demonstrates. These shows are fun, but not factual. Another verse, Matt. 25:45 tells us the same thing. Evil people go to eternal punishment and ones upright with God go into eternal life.
2)Spirit beings or ghosts are real.
The Bible refers to them as angels and demons, but denotes their authencity.

God created angels as a different type of being than men. Neither distance, nor gravity nor visibility binds angels. Because of that, angels are GOOD supernatural beings. We can’t explain or understand them, but they do exist.
Wonderful testimonies abound of angels appearing to people, helping, strengthening or bringing about miracles. In the Bible, angels appeared to men such as Daniel in the Old Testament and Mary in the New Testament.

Demons are BAD supernatural beings or ghosts, if you will. 2 Co. 11:14-15 gives us insight into their ability to disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness or angels of light. 1 Peter 5:8 explains that these demons will do anything to destroy Christians. Because they masquerade as “nice people,” unsuspecting victims trust the psychic or medium, when they should trust God.
Eph. 5:18 warns us to “not be deceived.” A psychic will conjure up loved ones to convince us of their desire to help. Old Testament Scripture reminds us that God is against psychics. (See Deut. 18:10-13 and Lev. 20:27). The closest thing to a haunting listed in the Bible is the story in Mark 5 of the man possessed by a “legion” of demons so that he lived in the graveyard and scared people. This was another example of evil ghosts.

Most ghost tours or legends exemplify a person that used to live as human, but now, after death, as a spirit. Biblically, I don't believe this can happen though many times ghost stories are fun and not intended to take as a serious worry. In cases where people believe in these apparitions, have seen them or been scared by them, they could be real. Our job would be to classify them in the right category--angels or demons.

Per 1 John 4:1, “…test the spirits whether they are of God…” So, we know they can be of God, but can also be of the devil.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not and it shall be given him. James 1:5 KJV.”

Christians should view ghosts as real, able to deceive, can be good or bad, and are never reincarnated people. At least, that's my take. What's yours?


Debra said...

I've taught my kids to not be scared of ghosts because they're just demons who we have authority over.

Moonine Sue Watson said...

I liked the comic book "Casper the Ghost" as a kid, but as an adult, I leave those things alone.

Unknown said...

Thanks, Sue & Debra, for you thoughts. Anyone else?

Winona Cross said...

Janet, I don't know that I believe in ghosts in the woo-woo sort of way. I do believe in angels. I've experienced several supernatural visitations. One, the night my father died. I was up in the middle of the night. Crying alone at the table. I felt an arm around my shoulder and heard his say "don't worry, Sister. It will be all right." Daddy was the only person who called me sister. When my mother was in and out of consciousness in the hospital I was trying to sleep, heard some sort of noise, looked up and I saw a huge male angel hovering over the head of Mama's bed with his wings folded over her in a protective stance. I said "Mama did you see that?" She had been unconscious. She answered, saying "Of course, he's always with me." The next day we took her home to die. That afternoon I glanced up to see my father sitting on the side of the bed. Each of those visitations provided comfort rather than fear.
I do try to stay away from psychics, hauntings, and that sort of thing.
Great post Janet. See you soon.

Unknown said...

What heart-warming stories, Winona. I love it. My deceased dad visited me when I was having a hard time healing over the loss of my granddaughter. I do believe God sends "good ghosts" or angels to bring comfort & direction to us. God bless. Yes, OWFI conference is only a month away. Look forward to seeing you.