Theological Thursday --- Ghosts (Part 2)

Last week we looked at what the Bible says about ghosts. We saw that the disciples believed in ghosts, that Jesus affirms the existence of the spirit/ghost world, that ghosts cannot be dead people (as they immediately go to heaven or hell), and that they cannot be angels (in the "haunting" sense). If you didn't read last week's post, click HERE to get caught up.

So if ghosts are not dead people and they are not angels, what are they? Well, there is good news and bad news. The bad news first --- they are most likely demons! The good news --- they are most likely demons! How can it be both good news and bad news? Well, the only bad news is the fear and uncertainty that comes to many people's minds when they hear the word demon but the good news is (for those who have accepted Christ as their Savior) we really have nothing to fear!

Before going into why we shouldn't be afraid, what exactly are demons? Demons are angels that fell with Satan. How many? Well, we see in Revelation (5:11) that God created billions of angels. One of them (Satan) rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. Along with Satan, 1/3 of all angels rebelled with him (Revelation 12:4). So the Spirit world is teaming with life!

Throughout Scripture, Satan and his team have had 2 main functions --- to deceive (through temptation, etc) and to cause fear and doubt. But should believers be afraid? Absolutely not! Scripture teaches us that Christ has already triumphed over them (Colossians 2:15) and that He is now seated at the right hand of the Father ruling all (Ephesians 1:19-20).

What does that mean for us? Well, we can have confidence that God rules over the Spirit world and is seated high above it. Paul takes it one step further and tells us in Ephesians 2:4-6:

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.

So for those of us who have accepted Christ as our personal Savior, we are seated with Him and have power over the demonic world. There is nothing to fear. So if you ever see a ghost, do not let it deceive you nor cause you fear...you have power over it as a believer in Christ! So what about Tommy (the little imaginary friend from last week's story)...was he really a demon? Well, it would line up perfectly with what Satan loves to do...make something look good before he attacks (isn't that the way sin works too?). He would love to make friends with a little boy and then start feeding him lies. My friend (the boy's father) took the power he had as a believer in Jesus Christ and demanded that the spirit stay away from his son --- no mention of Tommy since.

MAKE SURE YOU GIVE OUT LOTS OF CANDY!!!