How do I get rid of
BAD SPIRITS in my home?

Q. I believe we have some evil spirits in our house. How do we get rid of them? What would cause such a spirit to enter a home? Is there any such thing as a GOOD spirit?

Lastly, I know a woman who claims to hear voices and who says she can tell my Dad things about himself nobody else knows. Is this person hearing heavenly voices or something ELSE? 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. The fifth chapter of Mark records the incredible miracle of Jesus casting out a group of demons who had possessed a man. These demonic powers were able to give the person they possessed super-human power, such as the ability to break any chain or shackle put on them:

"Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs;  and NO ONE COULD BIND HIM, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces;  neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

"When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  And he cried out with a loud voice and said,  'What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me.'

"For He said to him,  'Come out of the man, unclean spirit!'  Then He asked him,  'What is your name?'  And he answered, saying,  'My name is Legion;  for we are many.'  Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.

"Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying,  'Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.'  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand);  and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea . . .

"And when He (Jesus) got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him,  'Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.' ” (Mark 5:1-13, 18-19, NKJV throughout)

Needless to say, evil spirits are very much 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 to trouble us, we, as well as others, could be defiled:

"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God;  lest ANY ROOT OF BITTERNESS springing up cause trouble, and by this many become 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:

"But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them:  'Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.  If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself.  How then will his kingdom stand?  And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out?  Therefore they shall be your judges.  BUT IF I CAST OUT DEMONS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.' " (Matthew 12:25-28)

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

"These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying:  'Do not go into the way of the Gentiles . . . And as you go, preach, saying,  "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, CAST OUT DEMONS.  Freely you have received, freely give.' " (Matthew 10:5, 7-8)

In Mark 9 the apostle John said a man was casting out demons by using Christ's name or by Christ's authority. Jesus' answer was quick:

"Now John answered Him, saying,  'Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.'

"But Jesus said,  'Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.  For he who is not against us is on our side.' " (Mark 9:38-40)

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.

In regard to your question about the woman who claims to hear voices and knows intimate information about someone, God warns us about such people and tell us what to do:

"Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits;  DO NOT SEEK AFTER THEM, to be defiled by them:  I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:31)

In other words, have NOTHING to do with those who may be possessed or influenced by familiar or evil spirits. One should not go by them or seek them. They are not of God and are NOT 'good' spirits! They should be avoided at all costs.