When I was growing up I watched Casper the Friendly Ghost. He was a nice, gentle ghost and never hurt anyone. Halloween is full of ghost characters. Are these things harmful? Out of curiosity I developed an interest in the supernatural, from the dark side. When camping with the Boy Scouts, convincing stories of ghostly activity were told around the campfire. While knowing these were made up to make us afraid, they stuck with me, opening the door to the possibility of such things. There was enough about it all that was believable, but where did reality stop and fantasy begin? That’s still the case today.
When I became a Christian and started growing, I wanted to see ghosts in light of the Bible. I found the Bible does have much to say about this subject. What about them? Are ghosts real? Well, that depends on your definition of them. If you see them as spirits of deceased human beings, then no, they don’t exist. But if you are referring to spirit beings that manifest in ways that bring fear to people, then the answer is a definite “yes.” Let’s see what the Bible says.
The Bible uses “ghost” almost interchangeable with “spirit,” like the “Holy Ghost/Spirit” in the king James translation of the Bible (Matthew 28:19). But in modern translations “ghost” is seldom used, just for apparitions, like when Jesus walked on the water and scared the disciples in the boat (Mark 6:49). They didn’t recognize Him and thought it was a spirit being manifesting itself. And in Luke 24:37, after Jesus’s crucifixion, the disciples saw him and again thought him to be a ghost. But Jesus reassured them he was not, showing them his hands and feet and eating some broiled fish as proof of his full resurrection. The word translated “ghost” in Matthew 14:26, when Jesus walked on the water, refers to an illusion or specter. Our word ‘phantom’ comes from this Greek word. In Luke 24:37 the word is ‘pneuma’, often translated ‘wind’, ‘breath’ or ‘immaterial substance’. ‘Pneumonia’ comes from this root. The witch of Endor thought Samuel was a ghost when God caused him to appear (1 Samuel 28) and Job’s friend felt a ‘ghost’ glide past his face, causing his hair to stand on end (Job 4:15-16).
Are these people who lived on the earth but whose bodies died, leaving their spirits to roam around? That couldn’t be the case for the Bible says that when people die, thy are gone for good. They cannot remain or communicate from beyond the grave. As it says in Job 7:9-10, “As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so one who goes down to the grave does not return. He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more.” And as Psalm 146:4 says, “When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.” Hebrews 9:27 notes that “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” The spirits of loved ones or those who suffered tragic deaths do not remain on earth.
For those who believe in Jesus, their soul/spirits are bound for heaven (Luke 23:39-43, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, Philippians 1:23), while those who do not believe are sent to hell (Matthew 25:46, Luke 16-22-24). Often, people often think these “familiar spirits” are the ghosts of people who have died when they are really demonic manifestaations. God issues strong words urging people to avoid these spirits at all costs. In Leviticus 19:31, we’re urged “not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists,” which are seen as detestable to the Lord. In fact, we’re told, “A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads” (Leviticus 20:27). This is reiterated in Deuteronomy 18:9-15.
Familiar spirits, or ‘ghosts,’ are not a departed family member but a demon impersonating them. Satan pretends to be an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). Peter warns us that Satan is on the prowl looking for someone to deceive and devour (1 Peter 5:8). Paul says our struggle isn’t against human enemies but spiritual powers of darkness and evil (Ephesians 6:12). That’s why we need God’s armor to have victory (Ephesians 5).
Should a Christian try to communicate with a loved one who has died? It can be tempting to try to find comfort in contacting them, but the Bible makes it very clear this is a great sin and carried a death penalty in Israel (Deuteronomy 18:10-13, Isaiah 8:19-22). Don’t be deceived by these demons.
Do not fear ‘ghosts.’ Be alert to them but see them as demons manifesting to cause fear. Oppose them in Jesus’ name and with God’s strength (1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:3). The worst thing you can do is fear them or in any way give them respect or attention. They take this as worship and feed off it. Keep your eyes on Jesus only.
What would you tell a friend who said a dead loved one had contacted them and they felt great peace because of it?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
Copyright © 2025