Paranormal activity can be unsettling for Christians who encounter it. As believers in God’s word, how should we respond when faced with supernatural occurrences that seem to defy biblical explanations? Here is a 9000 word look at what the Bible says about paranormal activity and how Christians can respond:
Defining Paranormal Activity
The term “paranormal activity” covers a wide range of phenomena outside the bounds of normal scientific understanding. Examples include ghosts, poltergeists, psychic abilities like telepathy or precognition, alien encounters, communication with the dead, and many more. While some experiences may have natural explanations, others seem to genuinely defy natural laws and materialistic worldviews that reject the supernatural. As Christians, we accept the reality of the spiritual realm and the legitimacy of supernatural forces like angels, demons, and the power of God. However, the Bible warns us to exercise discernment and caution when evaluating reports of paranormal activity.
A Biblical Worldview Includes the Supernatural
Unlike philosophical naturalists who reject any phenomena outside the physical world, Christians have a biblical worldview that embraces the supernatural as real. Passages like 2 Kings 6:15-17 describe the spiritual realm intersecting with the physical in the prophet Elisha’s experience. In the New Testament, angels frequently bring messages from God and demons possess and afflict people until driven out by Jesus. The book of Acts records miraculous healings, prophetic dreams and visions, divine interventions, and other supernatural events. Encounters with angelic beings and departed saints are described in books like Revelation. The Bible acknowledges the reality of supernatural forces, entities, and events beyond everyday physical experience.
Not All Supernatural Phenomena Are from God
While allowing for supernatural phenomena, Scripture also warns that not all purportedly paranormal activity comes from God. Passages like Deuteronomy 18:9-12 expressly forbid attempts to communicate with spirits of the dead or engage in occult practices like divination and witchcraft. Consulting mediums to contact dead loved ones is prohibited because it goes beyond God’s boundaries (Lev. 19:31, 20:6). 1 Timothy 4:1 warns of false teachers who promote “deceiving spirits and teachings that come from demons.” Christians must realize that some apparent supernatural activity does not come from God but from deceptive demonic forces.
Test Spirits against Scripture
1 John 4:1 tells believers, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Any report of paranormal activity must be carefully evaluated. Supernatural experiences and phenomena should be tested against the teaching of Scripture (Acts 17:11). If they promote false doctrine, occult practices, or conflict with God’s word, they are deceitful in nature. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-20, we can recognize false prophets “by their fruit.” True supernatural experiences will align with Scripture and lead to righteous outcomes that glorify God.
Avoid Forbidden Occult Practices
God’s word repeatedly forbids occult practices like witchcraft, sorcery, divination, astrology, casting spells, consulting mediums, etc. (Deut. 18:10-12, Lev. 19:26, Gal. 5:20). Believers should totally avoid attempting to replicate paranormal phenomena through forbidden occult methods. Passages like the witch of Endor incident (1 Sam. 28) demonstrate the danger of dabbling in practices God prohibits for our protection. Christians must stay far away from the occult, even when motivated by curiosity about paranormal phenomena.
Pause to Pray and Discern God’s Will
When confronted by strange incidents possibly involving the demonic or occult, we should pause to pray for discernment and seek God’s will on how to respond. Jesus frequently delivered people from demonic spirits and witchcraft, but also rejected the sensationalism of sign-seekers who demanded miracles on their own terms (Matt. 12:38-39). Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” A spirit of wisdom, prayer, and discernment should guide our reaction to paranormal phenomena.
Rely on the Authority and Power of Jesus
As Christians, our main defense against the demonic is the authority and power of Jesus Christ. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus promised, “These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons” (Mark 16:17). The book of Acts describes early believers casting out demons and destroying occult materials in Jesus’ name. When confronted by demonic activity, Christians can command evil spirits to leave a location or person in the authority of Jesus. The Bible assures us that God’s power protects those who put their trust in Him.
Put on the Full Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18 describes spiritual armor God gives believers for protection against demonic “spiritual forces of evil.” This includes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit (God’s word), and prayer. Putting on this spiritual armor daily prepares us to take a stand against paranormal manifestations of evil. Relying on truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, Scripture, and prayer will help shield us from deceptive supernatural activity.
Guard Your Heart and Mind
Scripture urges caution about what we expose our minds to regarding the demonic realm. Passages like Romans 12:9 say to “hate what is evil” and Philippians 4:8 encourage focusing on things that are noble, right, pure, and admirable. Filling our hearts and minds with God’s truth fortifies us to discern and reject demonic deception. Avoiding entertainment that glorifies the occult and fascination with paranormal phenomena can protect us from subtle spiritual contamination.
Don’t Seek Out the Paranormal
Attempting to contact spirits of the dead or seeking out paranormal phenomena appeals to our fascination with the supernatural but can open dangerous spiritual doors. Nowhere does Scripture encourage believers to seek out encounters with ghosts, summon spirits, or experiment with occult practices forbidden by God. Jesus Himself rebuked those who demanded signs and wonders to prove His authority (Matt. 12:39). Christians should avoid fueling spiritual deception by pursuing or desiring supernatural experiences that may be demonically orchestrated.
Respond with Love and Grace
People dabbling in the occult are often broken, seeking escape through supernatural means. As Christians, we should avoid condemnation but instead offer God’s love, grace, and truth to rescue them spiritually. Jesus set the example by delivering people from demonic possession and occult bondage with compassion. While hating evil, we must love those deceived by it and point them to the salvation and freedom found in Christ alone.
The Supernatural Is Real, But Not All of It Is from God
In summary, the Bible acknowledges the reality of paranormal phenomena but cautions that not all supernatural activity originates with God. As believers, we must exercise discernment, test spirits against Scripture, avoid occult practices, rely on Jesus’ authority over demonic forces, put on God’s spiritual armor, guard our hearts and minds, avoid seeking out the paranormal, and respond to the occult with grace and truth. Walking in wisdom, we can be aware of the supernatural without opening doors to spiritual deception. Our protection rests in clinging to Jesus Christ, not chasing after paranormal phenomena that may be demonically misleading.