Question:  Some kids in our Youth Group are inquiring about “ghosts” and whether or not they truly exist.  Does the Bible address this and if so, what passages?

            Todd

Answer:  Dear Todd,

            It depends on what is meant by the word “ghosts”.  The Bible, in both Old and New Testaments, says that there is an unseen spiritual world of darkness and evil.  However, the Bible speaks of this world as being composed of created powers – not of the spirits of those who were once human.

            The Bible is clear that the world of Satan and his demons has power – given and allowed by God – but it also makes clear that the power that is in Christians is greater

(I John 4:4).

            The general teaching of the Bible is that those who accept Jesus do not need to fear Satan and his demons.  Further, we should not spend time desiring to contact or understand this evil world, for Satan is the father of lies and deception, and no good thing can come from curiosity or interest in the unseen evil spiritual world.  The Bible tells us that we battle against the influence and power of Satan (Ephesians 6) who does everything in his power to keep us from following Christ.  However, we are empowered by Christ to overcome such influence, for Christ, who has overcome and conquered evil, lives his life within us.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht