When you think of a ghost, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it Casper the Ghost or the 1990 film “Ghost” starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore? When asked is it okay for Christians to believe in ghosts, it would depend on your definition of ghosts. If you’re referring to a spirit being, then yes, that’s okay. However, if you’re referring to the spirit of someone who has died, then that’s where it gets complicated. The most prevalent ghost in the Christian faith is the Holy Ghost, also referred to as the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is one-third of the Holy Trinity, encompassing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. 2 Corinthians 13:14 asks that the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you in all that you do. The King James Version of the Bible is the only modern interpretation that uses the term Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a gift to God’s people on Earth to start and complete the building of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says we were all baptized into one body, and we were all made to drink of one spirit, that being the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples to make disciples and baptize them by all three of the trinity, described in Matthew 28:19.
Although He is named the Holy Ghost, He doesn’t scare or haunt people as a paranormal ghost. Instead, His purpose is to lead us in the right direction with our relationship with Jesus and to fill us with God’s spirit. John 16:8 says that when the Holy Ghost comes, He will convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment.
What the Bible Says About Ghosts.
The Bible doesn’t mention ghosts by name but instead refers to them as spirit beings or resurrected humans. The Bible does talk about demons, who are known to hide their true selves and fool people. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 describes Satan disguising himself as an angel of light, so it’s no surprise that his servants, or demons, would do the same. Appearing as a ghost and impersonating a dead loved one is something that would be within their reach. When it comes to the paranormal and seeking our loved ones in the afterlife, the Bible warns against it. Leviticus 19:31 says that you should not turn to mediums or necromancers, or sorcerers, and asks that you don’t seek them out and make yourselves unclean by them. Instead, you should trust the Lord and what He says.
Christians don’t believe that you turn into ghosts when you die. Instead, they think that we turn into glorified bodies, like Jesus. Philippians 3:20-21 says that when you enter Heaven, your body will change from your earthly body to a glorified body by the power that enables Him. When Jesus walked on water, His disciples thought He was a ghost, as described in Matthew 14:26. When His disciples saw Jesus on the water, they were scared and cried out in fear that He was a ghost.
The Bible teaches that once you die, you face judgment. Believers go to Heaven, and non-believers go to Hell. It doesn’t say that their spirit haunts the Earth or visits their loved ones when people die, erasing the idea of ghosts haunting the Earth after they died.
The Verdict.
The term ghosts coincide more with the paranormal realm. In recent years, ghosts have become more popular with ghost hunters and paranormal activity. When it comes to the question of whether it is okay for Christians to believe in ghosts, it ultimately comes down to your definition of a ghost. If you’re referring to a spiritual being, then the Bible says that is okay. However, if you’re referring to the deceased haunting those on Earth, then the Bible says no. The Bible says that after you die, you go before God to face judgment. If you believe in God and have accepted him as your Lord and Savior, then you go to Heaven. However, if you are a non-believer, then you go to Hell. The Bible does acknowledge spirit beings who can connect and appear in the physical world.
Demons can disguise themselves as loved ones who have died, so be cautious of seeking to speak to deceased loved ones. The Bible says that you should be careful of psychics, sorcerers, or mediums. If you attempt to contact a deceased loved one, it could be a demon in disguise. It’s safer not to reach them and speak only to God. According to the Bible, if you are a believer of God, you go immediately before God after you die. At that point, depending on if you’re a believer or a non-believer, you will go to Heaven or Hell. When you go to Heaven, your body transforms from your earthly body to your glorified body, like Jesus. Some stories mention a dead spirit lingering on the Earth, but this is not the case in the Christian faith.
It can be hard to lose a loved one and not speak to them, especially if you were close to them. Instead, you should take comfort in the fact that if you follow God’s Word, you will see them again. Cherish the memories you had with your loved one and remember the good times you had with them while they were in their earthly form. Your loved ones would not want you to dwell on the life they lived on Earth. They would like you to live your life with the time you have left and thank God for every day that He gives you. Spend each day trying to find the best way to honor God in everything that you do. By doing so, it guarantees that you will see your loved ones again once you enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If you continue to follow God’s Word and do your best every day, you will see your loved one again.
