Demons and ghosts can be a source of fear and curiosity, but the Bible provides clarity. It explains their existence and how believers should respond. Today, we’ll learn what Scripture teaches about these spiritual beings.
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What Does The Bible Say About Demons And Ghosts
Leviticus 19:31
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.”
This verse serves as a reminder to avoid seeking guidance or communication from mediums or spiritists. Instead, we are encouraged to seek guidance and wisdom from the Lord, knowing that relying on occult practices can lead to defilement.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“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, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.”
This passage extensively lists various practices that are detestable to the Lord. It emphasizes the importance of steering clear from engaging in occult practices, including divination, witchcraft, and consulting the dead.
Isaiah 8:19
“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
This verse reminds us that instead of seeking answers from mediums or spiritists, we should turn to God for guidance. It questions the rationale behind seeking advice from the dead when we have the living God to rely on.
1 Timothy 4:1
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
Paul warns Timothy that there will be individuals who will stray from the faith and be led astray by deceiving spirits and demonic teachings. It underscores the importance of remaining steadfast and discerning against false teachings.
Ephesians 6:12
“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.”
This verse highlights the spiritual battle we face as Christians. It reminds us that our true enemies are not physical beings but spiritual forces of evil. It emphasizes the need for spiritual warfare through prayer and reliance on God’s strength.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James encourages believers to submit to God and resist the devil. When we actively resist the devil’s influence in our lives and rely on God’s authority, the enemy will be forced to flee. It showcases the power and authority we have as children of God.
1 Peter 5:8
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Peter warns believers to be vigilant and have a clear mind, for the devil relentlessly seeks to devour and destroy. It serves as a reminder to be on guard against spiritual attacks and to rely on God’s strength for protection.
2 Corinthians 11:14
“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
Paul reveals that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, highlighting his deceptive nature. This verse emphasizes the need for discernment, as the enemy can present himself in appealing and seemingly righteous ways.
Acts 19:13-16
“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.’ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?’ 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.”
This narrative illustrates the importance of having a genuine relationship with Jesus. Merely invoking His name without a true connection to Him can bring about disastrous consequences, as seen with the sons of Sceva. It emphasizes the need for an authentic faith and personal relationship with Christ.
Matthew 8:16
“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”
This verse highlights Jesus’ authority over demons. With a simple word, He drove out evil spirits and brought healing to those who were oppressed. It demonstrates His power and compassion in setting captives free.
Mark 1:34
“And Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.”
This verse emphasizes Jesus’ ability to heal physical ailments and cast out demons. It showcases His authority over the spiritual realm and His desire to keep His identity concealed until the appointed time.
Mark 5:15
“When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.”
This verse recounts the healing of the man possessed by a legion of demons. The transformative power of Jesus is evident as the man is restored to his right mind. It highlights Christ’s ability to bring deliverance and restoration to those in bondage.
Luke 10:17-18
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.'”
Here, Jesus acknowledges the authority and power He has bestowed upon His disciples. The demons’ submission to the disciples in His name reveals the defeat of Satan and his forces. It affirms the authority believers possess through Christ.
Acts 5:16
“Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.”
This verse showcases the healing power of the early Church. Not only were physical ailments cured, but those oppressed by impure spirits experienced freedom. It reveals the supernatural work of God’s Spirit within the community of believers.
1 John 4:4
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
John reassures believers that they belong to God and have already overcome the forces of darkness. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, God’s power within surpasses any power the world or demonic forces may possess. It instills confidence and hope in the victory found in Christ.
Revelation 12:9
“The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”
This verse refers to the fall of Satan, the ancient serpent, and his angels. It reveals Satan’s role as the one who deceives and leads the world astray. It brings to light the ongoing spiritual battle and the need for believers to remain steadfast against his schemes.
Matthew 12:43-45
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”
This passage conveys the dangers of leaving spiritual voids within us. When an impure spirit is cast out but an individual does not actively fill their life with the presence of God, they become vulnerable to even greater spiritual oppression. It emphasizes the importance of filling ourselves with the Word and cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 4:41
“Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew he was the Messiah.”
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, demons would often recognize and proclaim His identity as the Son of God. However, Jesus silenced them because their testimony was not to be trusted, as their intentions were evil. It serves as a reminder that even demonic beings can speak some truths, but discernment is needed to separate their deceit from genuine revelation.
Matthew 17:21
“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
When Jesus’ disciples were unable to cast out a particularly strong demon, Jesus revealed that certain battles against darkness can only be won through consistent prayer and fasting. It emphasizes the power and effectiveness of spiritual disciplines in confronting and overcoming spiritual opposition.
James 2:19
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
James affirms that even the demons acknowledge the existence of God and shudder in fear. This verse emphasizes that mere belief or acknowledgment of God’s existence is not enough; genuine faith requires a personal relationship and surrender to Him.
Mark 9:25
“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.'”
This verse displays Jesus’ authority over impure spirits. He rebukes the demon and commands it to leave, ensuring it would never return. It highlights Jesus’ power to bring deliverance and freedom to those oppressed by demonic forces.
Acts 8:7
“For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.”
During Philip’s ministry, impure spirits were cast out of people with accompanying shrieks, demonstrating the power and authority of the name of Jesus. The deliverance of individuals from demonic oppression and the subsequent physical healings manifest God’s kingdom breaking through.
Acts 16:16-18
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”
This account recounts Paul’s encounter with a fortune-telling slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, commands the spirit to leave her, and it immediately departs. It demonstrates the power of the name of Jesus in setting individuals free from spiritual bondage.
1 Corinthians 10:20-21
“No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”
Paul warns the Corinthians against participating in pagan sacrifices, as these are offerings to demons rather than to God. Believers are called to separate themselves from anything associated with demonic practices and solely devote themselves to the Lord.