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What does the Bible say about ghost?

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The Bible teaches that the dead do not roam the earth as ghosts, and believers should not seek or fear supposed spirits but trust God alone. Hebrews 9:27 says people die once and then face judgment, while Leviticus 20:6 and Deuteronomy 18:9-12 forbid consulting mediums or spirits. When the disciples feared they had seen a ghost, Jesus showed them His risen, physical body in Luke 24:37-40, declaring that a spirit does not have flesh and bones as He did. Scripture also commands Christians to test spiritual claims, since not every spirit is from God (1 John 4:1). The Holy Spirit, sometimes called the Holy Ghost in older translations, is God Himself, who teaches and guides Christ’s people (John 14:26; John 16:13).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Hebrews 9:27

    Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,

  • Luke 24:39

    See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, as you see that I have."

  • Leviticus 20:6

    "'The person that turns to those who are mediums, and to the wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people.

  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

  • John 14:26

    But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.

  • Deuteronomy 18:9-12

    [9] When you are come into the land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. [10] There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices sorcery, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, [11] or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. [12] For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh: and because of these abominations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you.

  • Mark 6:49

    but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;

  • Luke 24:37-40

    [37] But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. [38] He said to them, "Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? [39] See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, as you see that I have." [40] When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

  • John 16:13

    However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.

  • Luke 24:37-39

    [37] But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. [38] He said to them, "Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? [39] See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, as you see that I have."

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