I believe we have evil spirits in our house.
What can we do?

Q. I believe we have some evil spirits in our house. I have two little sisters that are three years old. There are times when they wake up in the middle of the night screaming because they see something. One night my dad came into my bedroom and said he seen a black form rising near one of the corners. He and I were terrified. My question is how do we get rid of such spirits? What would cause an evil spirit to enter a home? Also, is there any such thing as a 'good' spirit?

I also know a woman who claims to hear voices. She is a friend of my Dad. Apparently she can tell him things about himself that nobody else knows. He is convinced she is hearing heavenly voices although I think just the opposite. Is there anything in the Bible about this?

(Submitted by: Sandy)

A. Some people have mental difficulties that are caused by genetic problems or other deficiencies. In some cases, lack of nutrients can cause hallucinations and other mental problems where people hear voices.

However, the Bible also states that there are demons or evil spirits. Read Mark 5:1-16 where Jesus cast a legend of demons (evil spirits) out of a man who would cast himself into the fire and had the strength to break chains. So evil spirits or demons are real.

Generally, people become possessed by these evil spirits because of bitterness or resentment toward God about something in their life. Until they repent, they will continually have a problem. Christ warns us in Matthew 5:22 that we need to be forgiving and loving with all of humanity.

The Apostle Paul also warns if we allow any bitterness trouble us, we, as well as others, could be defiled :

"Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;" (Hebrews 12:14-15).

In Matthew 12:28 Christ reveals He cast out demons or devils by God's Holy Spirit. Let look at this scripture and the immediate context:

"And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast [them] out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. " (Matthew 12:25-28)

In Matthew 10:8 Christ told His disciples to cast out demons as well as heal people.

"These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. . . " (Matthew 10:5-8)

Again in Mark 9:38, John, the Apostle, said a man was casting out demons by using Christ's name or by Christ's authority.

" And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. " (Mark 9:38-39)

When one is confronted by evil spirits or strange happenings, put these scriptures together, start to pray and ask God to rebuke these evil spirits in the name of Jesus Christ. Continue to do so until they leave.

At times, evil spirits in a house or other places are not there because of you, but because of some previous demented person.

If your house has been known to have these strange events before you moved in, then it is very likely they came to your house by someone in the past before you lived there.

Either way, you and your family can pray to God for the removal of these spirits by Christ's authority or in his name.

If this doesn't stop the problem, your family should consider moving. Of course, this is up to your parents.

Also, God in Leviticus 19:31 states:

"Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I [am] the LORD your God."

In other words, have nothing to do with familiar or evil spirits. One should not go by them or seek them. They are not of God or good spirits. They should be avoided at all costs as that woman who knows things about your dad.

This problem requires a lot of prayer and being close to God who only gives us a sound mind - and not one with mental problems (2 Timothy 1:7).