Episode Overview

Title: What Does the BIBLE Say About GHOSTS?
Podcast: Impact Video Ministries
Date: November 4, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode explores the topic of ghosts from a biblical perspective, addressing whether ghosts—understood as the souls of dead humans lingering on earth—are real according to Scripture. The discussion unpacks specific Bible passages, distinguishes between biblical "ghosts," angels, and demons, and offers practical warnings about attempts to contact the dead or supernatural entities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Are Ghosts Real? Experiences & Scripture ([00:00]–[02:35])

• Personal Experiences:
  The hosts share anecdotal stories of strange and unexplained phenomena, such as hearing footsteps, voices, or laughter when alone.

  “There was this one time I was driving alone in my car with no music playing and I clearly heard a baby laughing.” — Host A (00:13)

• Cultural & Biblical Recognition:
  Historically, even during Jesus’ time, belief in ghosts was common.

  “The disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and they thought he was a ghost.” — Host A on Matthew 14:26 (00:42)

2. Fact #1: Ghosts Have Been Seen in the Bible ([02:35]–[06:06])

• The Medium of Endor (1 Samuel 28):
  Saul seeks out a medium to summon the deceased prophet Samuel for advice—a scenario highly unusual and even contradictory to his own edicts against necromancy.

  • Samuel appears and converses with Saul, accurately prophesying his death.
  • Host A points out this is a special circumstance, not a blank check for spirit communication.

  “Just because this may have been a ghost, it doesn’t mean that other ghosts exist, because this may have been a unique case where God brought back Samuel...” — Host A (03:17)

• The Transfiguration (Luke 9):
  Moses (who had died) and Elijah (who did not die) appear and speak with Jesus, witnessed by the disciples.

  • Notably, Moses’s presence is evidence of a “dead” person interacting with the living.

  “Moses, who was dead hundreds of years ago, was standing here and was seen by people who were alive at the same time.” — Host A (05:09)

• Definition:
  Biblical language uses “spirit” interchangeably with “ghost” in some translations, but the real distinction is their origin and purpose.

3. Fact #2: Ghosts Are Not Human Souls Roaming the Earth ([06:06]–[10:14])

• Immediate Afterlife & Judgment (Hebrews 9:27):
  After death, individuals face judgment; there’s no “roaming period” post-mortem.

  “All people die, and after death comes judgment.” — Host A citing Hebrews 9:27 (06:31)

• Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16):
  Upon death, the souls of the righteous and unrighteous are immediately separated; the “rich man” cannot return or send messages to the living.

  “The rich man... was not able to roam the earth as a spirit, because if you read this passage, he actually asked if he could warn his family... but he was not given permission.” — Host A (08:23)

• Cultural Contradictions:
  The biblical narrative diverges from horror movie tropes and common supernatural lore, which suggest spirits linger to haunt the living.

4. Fact #3: Ghosts Can Be Confused for Angels or Demons ([10:14]–[13:45])

• Angels in the Bible (Matthew 28):
  Angels regularly appear in scripture, often causing fear due to their power and appearance—like the angel at Jesus' tomb whose presence causes earthquake and terror.

  “[The angel] was not a cute, winged, naked baby... but was a white and shining figure that resembled a man and was powerful enough to cause an earthquake...” — Host A (11:12)

• Demons and Deception (2 Corinthians 11:14):
  Demons and Satan can disguise themselves as “angels of light” and may be responsible for frightening encounters.

  • Notably, demons are rarely depicted as being seen without a host but are always capable of deceiving or possessing.

  “... in the Bible, there aren’t really sightings of demons without a host. … At the same time, though, I don't think that writes off the possibility of them being seen.” — Host A (12:29)

• Mistaken Identity:
  Many “ghostly” encounters could be misidentified interactions with angels or demonic presences due to their supernatural behavior and appearance.

5. Practical Warning and Conclusion ([13:45]–[14:00])

• Don’t Seek Contact with the Dead:
  The hosts strongly discourage attempts at spirit communication (Ouija boards, seances, tarot) as dangerous and biblically condemned.

  “...when people try to open themselves up to hearing from the dead, what they're really doing is opening themselves up to demons.” — Host A (13:53)

• Encouragement:
  Listeners are reminded that God and Jesus are more powerful than any supernatural evil.

  “God is bigger than any demon and Jesus loves you.” — Host A (13:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Special Cases:

  “Saul, needing to get help from people that he himself deported, disguised himself... And it looks like the medium was successful because Samuel appeared...” — Host A (03:01)

• On Afterlife Separation:

  “God's people will be separated from others immediately after their death, and his people will be brought close to him and others will be given to the fire.” — Host A (07:40)

• On Angels as ‘Ghostly’:

  “...angels are typically white in color, resemble people, can pop up out of nowhere and normally cause people to freak out.” — Host A (13:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] – Personal stories of ghostly encounters
• [00:42] – Ghosts as common knowledge in biblical times
• [02:35] – “Ghosts have been seen in the Bible” (1 Samuel 28, Luke 9)
• [06:06] – “Ghosts are not human souls who roam the earth” (Hebrews 9:27, Luke 16)
• [10:14] – “Ghosts can be confused for angels or demons” (Matthew 28, 2 Corinthians 11:14)
• [13:45] – Warning against necromancy and practical advice
• [13:59] – Words of encouragement

Summary Table: What Does the Bible Say About Ghosts?

| Claim | Biblical Support/Reference | Podcast’s Conclusion | |----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Ghosts (“spirits”) have been seen | 1 Samuel 28; Luke 9 (Transfiguration)| Rare, God-orchestrated exceptions | | Human souls linger after death | Hebrews 9:27; Luke 16 | No, souls are judged immediately | | Encounters could be angels or demons | Matthew 28; 2 Corinthians 11:14 | Yes, often the best explanation | | Contacting spirits is acceptable | Various* | Strongly discouraged, opens to evil |

Final Messages

• Biblical record includes a few special cases where the dead appeared (e.g., Samuel, Moses), but these were divine exceptions, not norms.
• Human souls do not linger or haunt the earth; “ghosts” in popular culture misrepresent the biblical perspective.
• Many supernatural encounters could be with angels or (more dangerously) demons—not human spirits.
• Don’t seek out supernatural encounters or spirit communication—open yourself to God, not spiritual danger.
• Remember: God’s power and love surpass all fear of the supernatural.

This episode offers a well-reasoned, scripture-rich breakdown for Christians and skeptics alike on the biblical perspective concerning ghosts, blending accessible teaching with cautionary wisdom and encouragement.