Archive for the ‘Ghosts--fact or fiction’ Category

 What exactly are ghosts?  You hear so much either on TV or books, that it is hard to know what to think.  There is even a psychology field called “Parapsychology.”  Although it is not the study of Ghosts, it indirectly does involve ghosts because it centers around ESP and  Psychokinesis (ability to move objects around). Another name is telekenesis, the movement of objects by scientifically inexplicable means, as by the exercise of an occult power.  The Wikipedia dictionary defines it as Parapsychology as a discipline that seeks to investigate the existence and causes of psychic abilities and life after death using the scientific method.

Parapsychology is only in the experimental stages, but hopefully it won’t go any further, but psychology seems to be drifting away from the scientific method of establishing facts and is going deeper into the New Age.  If you want evidence of this, just start reading Psychology Today, and you will find only one or two articles that are scientific in nature.  Plus, read the Psychic advertisements.  A reputable psychology magazine wouldn’t allow this type of advertising in my opinion.

First, the Bible is very clear that we go to heaven or hell when we die.  Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:8     We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

If you are an unbeliever, well, Jesus talked more about hell than he did about heaven.  Luke 16 gives an actual account.

²⁰And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores 21and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores 22And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. 23And in hell, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, `Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, `Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. 26And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that they who would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from there.’ 27Then he said, `I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house, 28for I have five brethren, that he may testify unto them lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29Abraham said unto him, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30And he said, `Nay, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31And Abraham said unto him, `If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.’”

No, once you are in hell, you stay there.  Now, if you are in heaven, that is a different story.  Hebrews 12:1,2 state:

Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

At any rate, there are too many testimonies (millions to be exact) to ignore.  So, let’s find out about ghosts–what they are and what they are not.  This will be discussed in part 2.

To understand what Ghosts are and what they are not, we observe one thing–everytime you see documentaries on them, you always see people involved in the occult–seances, among other things.  The occult is always brought up.  Leviticus 19:31 states:

Regard not those who have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

So, what is a familiar spirit?  It is a demon, to be exact, disguised as your lost loved one, or other known person, to draw you into the occult, and away from Jesus.  This is what psychics do best–deceive people by being linked to the occult.  Some are just scammers, but at any rate,  people that are hurting and need closure on the death of a loved one need only to turn to Jesus and seek competent professional help.  Sometimes just journaling your thoughts help. 

The best remedy is to write a “goodbye” letter to your lost loved one.  Tell him/her all the wonderful things you remember, and whatever else is on your mind.  Remember, separation isn’t permanent if you know Jesus.  It is only a temporary parting.

Yes, ghosts are real, but you have to remember what they are and what they are not.  Usually people that see ghosts are involved in the New Age or occult practices of some sort.  Even people that have claimed to be transported off by aliens (UFO’S) have been traced down to being involved heavily in the New Age movement.  Do not be deceived.  The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is your God.  Follow Him.

The created were created to worship the Creator. Romans 1:19&20 state: 

because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath shown it unto them. For from the creation of the world the invisible things of Him are clearly seen, being understood through the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

Everyone around the world worships some sort of diety.  Even secular humanism is a religion that has been indoctrinating our children for decades.

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ.  He is only one prayer away.   Revelation 3:20 states:

Behold, I stand at the door [of your heart] and knock. If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.