The Bible does not support the common idea that the spirits of the dead linger on earth as ghosts. When a person dies, their soul goes either to be with the Lord or into torment, not to roam the earth. Ecclesiastes 12:7 states:
“Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”
Hebrews 9:27 affirms the finality of death:
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
There is one event in Scripture often cited in discussions about ghosts, when King Saul consulted a medium, and the spirit of Samuel appeared (1 Samuel 28:7–20). In that case, God allowed Samuel to speak from the dead, not as a ghost, but as a unique act of divine judgment. The passage shows God’s condemnation of necromancy, not support for ghostly apparitions.
Apparent “ghost” sightings or paranormal experiences should be understood as either psychological deception, man-made fraud, or demonic manifestations. 2 Corinthians 11:14 warns:
“For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”
Demons are entirely capable of mimicking voices or appearances in order to deceive and stir fear.
The Bible teaches that the dead do not return to communicate with the living. Job 7:9–10 says:
“As the cloud disappears and vanishes away, so he who goes down to the grave does not come up. He shall never return to his house, nor shall his place know him anymore.”
Believers must reject ghost lore and trust the clear teaching of Scripture. The unseen realm is real, but its occupants are not human spirits trapped on earth. They are either with God or separated from Him, awaiting final judgment.