What does the Bible say about spirits and ghosts?

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

• Leviticus 19:31

  "'Don't turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don't seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your God.

• James 4:7

  Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

• 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.

• Galatians 5:16

  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh.

• Matthew 8:16

  When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick;

• Galatians 5:19-21

  [19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

• James 1:14

  But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

• 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.

• Leviticus 20:27

  "'A man or a woman that is a medium, or is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon them.'"

• Galatians 5:1-26

  [1] Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. [2] Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. [3] Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. [4] You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace. [5] For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love. [7] You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? [8] This persuasion is not from him who calls you. [9] A little yeast grows through the whole lump. [10] I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. [11] But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling-block of the cross has been removed. [12] I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off. [13] For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. [14] For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [15] But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don't consume one another. [16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one other, that you may not do the things that you desire. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. [25] If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. [26] Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

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