This post comes as a response to what I am seeing on the internet and on television. I feel like a lot of ghost hunting shows, movies, and other outlets are portraying spirits as our long, lost, departed family member or someone that died tragically and their spirit is lingering here waiting on someone to connect with them to help find the light. I’ve also seen several things posted on the internet that mocks people when they claim that spirits are actually demons. Some people are asking for help online because they are being attacked by something they cannot see or explain. They are frightened and looking for answers. Sometimes they look in the wrong places and are being given the wrong advice. So they continue to have problems. I hope that by writing this article, it helps someone.
I had really intended to finish my series about the Canaanites traveling to North America, but I was deeply troubled in my spirit after I saw a post (I will not name names) that said, (paraphrasing) "wished that religion would just be left out of the paranormal and that they were tired of people believing all ghosts were demons. After this, I was compelled to write this post to share what I believe. People have a right to not agree with me and that’s fine.
As I said before, I was deeply troubled in my spirit after reading that on the internet, and as I was sitting at the table preparing for my day, a voice said, “Read Acts”. I thought to myself where did that come from? I knew it was the Holy Spirit speaking to me and that I am supposed to share this with you all.
The Book of Acts is filled with many supernatural stories and it is important because this is the book that tells us about the Holy Spirit that came from Jesus after His ascension into heaven. So if your wondering if spirits are actually real, I would say yes. The Holy Spirit of God descending on the disciples was real and through the Holy Spirit, they were able to work many miracles and heal people. It’s through the Holy Spirit that they were able to cast out demons. It’s this Spirit that lives within each Christian.
There’s a story in the Book of Acts, that I felt the Holy Spirit wanted me to read. It reminded me of what we see on tv. Remember, what you see on tv is dramatized and embellished for entertainment.
Acts 19:11-20 New International Version (NIV)
11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.[a] 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
When the Seven sons of Sceva encountered a real demon, it overpowered them. It was not afraid of them and they could not cast it out because they were not filled with the Holy Spirit of God. It was afraid of Jesus and it knew Paul because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. That is why salt, sage, other things of this nature do not work. Instead of turning towards people for wrong guidance in dealing with these issues, we should turn to Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Light!! He is the answer. It is through Him that we can be delivered out of the darkness. It is through Him that we are given authority to rid our lives of evil things and evil spirits.
Mark 9:14-29 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.[a]”
This is important for people to understand. It’s not the act of burning sage, putting salt in the doorways, contacting mediums or psychics, seances, rituals, etc.. In fact, God specifically forbids performing pagan acts and when people ask for help and are given wrong advice, they are unknowingly opening more doorways to the demonic realm. I’m sure Satan thinks it’s funny and is laughing his head off as people are led down the wrong path.
2 Chronicles 33:5-7 New International Version (NIV)
5 In both courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.
Deuteronomy 18:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire,who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,
It’s also not religion that is the answer, Jesus Christ is the answer! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus gives us the authority over unclean spirits (demons). We are able to cast them out by telling them in authority by Jesus Christ and also with prayer. So if your house is haunted, you are being traumatized by a spirit, or your children are getting attacked, don’t wait!!! Rebuke it in the name of Jesus and tell it to go away! If you need help with Spiritual Warfare, find someone in a church that knows about it. If they scoff at you and say it’s your imagination, find someone else. Research Spiritual Warfare online and on Youtube. Pray for protection for yourself and your family! If you are doing anything that is opening doorways, STOP! CLOSE THE DOORS!
By engaging in occult rituals, Ouija boards, etc..you could be bringing it on yourself. You could also cause generational curses.
I see it all the time, someone says they are being attacked or they took a picture of a spirit in their room and they don’t know how it got there. In the background of one picture, I could see black candles and occult ritual items. I’ve heard people say they like having the spirit there and it’s a part of the family now. ARE YOU CRAZY?! When I look further into it, they have been practicing summonings, rituals, practicing spiritualism, and trying to interact and speak with it. STOP THIS NOW!
If you are truly concerned for yourself and your family, especially children, then get rid of everything that has occult ties to it and don’t perform any occult practices. This includes asking “is anything there, give us a sign.”
Sometimes, you don’t have to do anything. The demons and spirits seek you out.
1 Peter 5:8 New International Version (NIV)
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
2 Corinthians 11:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
This means don’t fall for the lies of Satan and his demons. Don’t let someone persuade you to interact with spirits and help guide them to the light. When the unsaved die, they are in Hades where they remain until judgement. They are not roaming the earth looking for help.
Luke 16:22-27 New International Version (NIV)
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
Don’t let someone persuade you to perform a pagan ritual or seance to talk to the dead, this includes voodoo. This is why in the Bible, we are not supposed to try and communicate with the dead. God tells us this for our protection. Also, there is no white magic or black magic. It’s all pagan practices. DON’T OPEN THE DOORS!
Just like a good father here on earth forbids his children to do something that he knows will hurt them, our good Father in heaven forbids us to perform activities that He knows will hurt us. This is because He loves His children!
So just what are spirits then? Are they demonic?
The Book of Enoch:
15.8 And now, the giants who were born from body and flesh will be called Evil Spirits on the Earth, and on the Earth will be their dwelling.
15.9 And evil spirits came out from their flesh, because from above they were created, from the Holy Watchers was their origin and first foundation. Evil spirits they will be on Earth and ‘Spirits of the Evil Ones’ they will be called.
15.10 And the dwelling of the Spirits of Heaven is Heaven, but the dwelling of the spirits of the Earth, who were born on the Earth, is Earth.
15.11 And the spirits of the giants do wrong, are corrupt, attack, fight, break on the Earth, and cause sorrow. And they eat no food, do not thirst, and are not observed.
15.12 And these spirits will rise against the sons of men, and against the women, because they came out of them during the days of slaughter and destruction.
16.1 And the death of the giants, wherever the spirits have gone out from their bodies, their flesh will be destroyed, before the Judgment. Thus they will be destroyed until the Day of the Great Consummation is accomplished, upon the Great Age, upon the Watchers and the impious ones.”
16.2 And now to the Watchers, who sent you to petition on their behalf, who were formerly in Heaven:
16.3 "You were in Heaven but its secrets had not yet been revealed to you; and a worthless mystery you knew. This you made known to women, in the hardness of your hearts. And through this mystery the women and the men cause evil to increase on the Earth.”
16.4 Say to them therefore: "You will not have peace.”
We need to realize that Satan, his band of Fallen Angels, and the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim roam around looking for someone they can deceive. It is their goal to wreck havoc on your life, your families lives, and even follow your family line down through the next generations. Don’t fall for the lies!!!
If you, your family, or someone you know is being affected by something paranormal, maybe something you can’t explain and you need help, Rebuke it in the name of Jesus Christ. Tell it to go away.
It takes faith, prayer, and the authority given to us by the Holy Spirit.
Put on the whole armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-18New International Version (NIV)
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
I recommend that you visit shatterthedarkness.net and listen to Russ Dizdar. He is one of the best teachers of spiritual warfare that I am aware of. Look him up on Youtube and listen to his sermons.
Especially if you are not a Christian and you need help, I urge you to listen to his personal testimony that he shares. Also, seek out someone that knows about spiritual warfare. Please don’t turn to spiritualists for guidance.
Christians, if you notice someone is asking for help in an online forum, don’t be afraid to share the Word of God with that person to help them rid the evil spirits. Don’t worry about the scoffers, the nay sayers, trolls, and the like…ignore them. You may also plant a seed in an unbeliever.
Kerri Bingaman - founder of Supernatural Sightings
Disclosure: All thoughts and opinions are my own and may not reflect the thoughts and opinions of others. This post is not sponsored, it may contain affiliate links.