Got Ghost?

I’ve noticed a new trend on television lately other than the general lack of quality programming. There appears to be an explosive increase in the number of “paranormal investigation” themed shows.

I find the shows sort of humorous to be honest and have watched a few from time to time. The investigators on the shows have all sorts of theories for why a ghost might “get trapped” in a building or things along those lines.

While it is humorous should the Christian really buy into the whole paranormal theme? Is it possible that we could die and still be wondering around in our old haunts? No pun intended. The evidence gathered on some of the shows can seem rather convincing at times, so is there really something to all the so called paranormal business?

Scripture seems rather clear to me that when we die we either go to Heaven or to hell. If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior we go to be with the Lord. If we’ve rejected His offer of salvation then we are simply lost.

Hebrews chapter nine says very plainly in verse twenty seven, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”. Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 states that if we are in the body we are absent from the Lord and goes on to say that if we are absent from the body then we are present with the Lord.

In Luke chapter sixteen Jesus told the story of Lazarus and the rich man. First, notice in the beginning of the story that Jesus says, ““There was a certain rich man who” and also states, “there was a certain beggar named Lazarus”. In the story Jesus was not making up a story to use as an example. Jesus as God was aware of a literal rich man and beggar named Lazarus that had died. He was telling us specifically what happened to both of these individuals when they died. You’ll notice in reading the story that neither of the men were roaming around in this world. They were in paradise or hell.

Scripture seems pretty clear to me that when we die we go to either Heaven or hell. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for those of us that have placed our trust in Him.

So what about some of the seemingly paranormal things that happen on these shows then? Are they made up?

I don’t believe the paranormal things that happen are staged or made up. In fact I believe they are very real but I do question the source.

Scripture tells us, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” (Hebrews 13:2) It would seem in this statement of Scripture the strangers would be angels who were sent by the Lord to the earth to deliver a message or something along those lines, clearly scripture would not tell us to entertain something or someone not of the Lord. But we have to keep in mind that there were many angels that took part in the rebellion and subsequent fall of Satan. Would we assume that only the good angels can appear as strangers or pretend to be ghosts or other spirits?

Perhaps this explains a warning we are given in Scripture, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8)

Satan can appear as an angel of light when it serves his purposes and he is the master deceiver. I believe the people partaking in these investigations are simply being deceived by demons.

It can be a very dangerous task. There are numerous accounts in Scripture of demon possession and that is not something to play with any more than it is a good idea to play with fire.

For example, there is a show on the Travel channel called “Ghost Adventures”. The basic idea behind the show is three guys named Zach, Nick and Aaron go around doing paranormal investigations and filming what happens. They use all sorts of gadgets to try and document the existence of ghost.

On one episode the Ghost Adventures crew traveled to investigate the Moon River Brewery in Savannah, Georgia. At one point during this investigation Nick appears to become possessed by some manner of evil spirit. He claims not to recall for the most part several minutes of this but claims he heard voices in his head saying, “kill em, kill em, kill em.” He certainly seemed to change the appearance on his face to having a strange or even evil demeanor for a few minutes.

Demon possession is a road better left untraveled. I pray for these men because they are putting themselves in grave danger.

They believe themselves to be interacting with “spirits” and “ghost” but I believe they are having fellowship with demons and that is a very bad idea that can be very dangerous. I’ve had encounters with demons before and I don’t write about them for the most part because I am not one to be chasing after signs and wonders. I also have no desire to brag about these past encounters nor to try and call myself an anointed this or that like some in the hyper-Pentecostal crowd. However, I can tell you that if you have had an encounter with a demon it is not something you would seek out or have any desire to do again.

So other than pulling some would be investigators' chains from time to time, what’s Satan’s end game with the ghost stories and paranormal activity?

I believe his end game is simply if he can get you to buy that there are ghost then why would you have to worry about your salvation? Heck, wondering around in the places you used to hang out in and messing with would be investigators after you die doesn’t sound so bad. Might even be kind of fun at times, “hey Joe…I’m bored, let’s go mess with this guy who is still alive…”

If you buy into the existence of ghosts then it removes the concept of Heaven and hell. There is no longer a judgment or reason to accept the Lord’s offer of salvation via grace and that my friends is exactly the lie Satan is trying to sell you with paranormal activity.