The Bible offers various perspectives on the spiritual realm, including ghosts and spirits. While the concept of ghosts as disembodied spirits can be misunderstood, Scripture provides clarity on spiritual matters. Here are key Bible verses about ghosts to deepen your understanding.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Spirit Husband
God’s Authority Over the Spiritual Realm
Scripture teaches us that God is sovereign over all things, including the unseen spiritual world. Ghosts, spirits, and any supernatural phenomena are under His control, and He alone provides understanding and discernment regarding them.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.”
Colossians 1:16
“For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.”
Psalm 103:19
“The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.”
Luke 24:39
“Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.”
Isaiah 8:19
“Someone may say to you, ‘Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.’ But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?”
Warnings Against Consulting Spirits
God consistently warns His people against seeking communication with spirits or mediums. Such practices are forbidden because they lead away from God and can open doors to deception.
Leviticus 19:31
“Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God.”
2 Kings 21:6
“Manasseh also sacrificed his own son in the fire. He practiced sorcery and divination, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the Lord’s sight, arousing his anger.”
1 Chronicles 10:13
“So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium.”
Galatians 5:19-21
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery… Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Isaiah 47:13-14
“All the advice you receive has made you tired. Where are all your astrologers, those stargazers who make predictions each month? Let them stand up and save you from what the future holds. But they are like straw burning in a fire; they cannot save themselves from the flame.”
Christ’s Victory Over Death and Spirits
Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates His power over death, the grave, and all spiritual forces. His victory assures us of our security in Him.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Matthew 28:18
“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.'”
Philippians 2:10-11
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Hebrews 2:14
“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.”
Revelation 1:18
“I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”
Encounters with Spirits in the Bible
The Bible records a few instances where individuals encountered spirits or apparitions. These moments often highlight God’s presence and control over such events, teaching us to trust Him in every circumstance.
1 Samuel 28:11-12
“Finally, the woman said, ‘Well, whose spirit do you want me to call up?’ ‘Call up Samuel,’ Saul replied. When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, ‘You’ve deceived me! You are Saul!'”
Matthew 14:26
“When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, ‘It’s a ghost!'”
Job 4:15-16
“A spirit swept past my face, and my hair stood on end. The spirit stopped, but I couldn’t see its shape. There was a form before my eyes, and in the silence, I heard a voice.”
Mark 6:49-50
“When they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ he said. ‘Take courage! I am here!'”
Luke 24:37
“But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!”
Testing the Spirits
Not all spirits come from God, and the Bible calls us to test them. God provides wisdom and discernment so that we may distinguish between truth and deception.
1 John 4:1
“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
“But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”
2 Corinthians 11:14-15
“But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”
Matthew 7:15-16
“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”
Ephesians 6:12
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
God’s Comfort in Fear of the Unknown
The Bible reassures us that we need not fear spirits or the unknown. God’s presence and promises provide peace and courage even in the face of uncertainty.
Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”
Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Romans 8:38-39
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
God’s Spirit Brings Life
The Holy Spirit, as opposed to earthly spirits or ghosts, brings life, guidance, and power. This is the Spirit of truth, given to us by God to dwell within and guide us in all things.
John 14:16-17
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”
Romans 8:11
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Rebuking Spirits
What Does the Bible Say About Ghosts
The Bible talks about spiritual beings, but it does not describe ghosts in the way many people think of them today. Some believe ghosts are the spirits of people who have died but remain on earth. However, the Bible teaches that when people die, their souls go to either be with God or face judgment, not to wander the earth. In Hebrews 9:27, it says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
The Bible does mention spirits, but they are often angels or demons, not human souls. Demons are fallen angels who deceive and harm people, pretending to be something they are not. For example, in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, we are warned that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light to mislead people. This suggests that some experiences people call “ghosts” might be demons trying to confuse them.
In one story, King Saul spoke with a medium to summon the prophet Samuel’s spirit (1 Samuel 28). A spirit that look like Samuel appeared, but this was an exception, not the norm. The Bible warns against seeking out mediums or trying to contact the dead (Leviticus 19:31), as this goes against God’s will.
Instead of fearing ghosts or the unknown, the Bible encourages trust in God. Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Christians are called to focus on God’s truth, knowing He is in control of all things, seen and unseen.