I live down the street from a yellow building that is barred up with a chain along the gate. It looks like it used to be an apartment building, but now it looms between two modern buildings looking like it hasn’t been lived in for years. The yellow paint on the outside is chipped and cracked. Ivy climbs up the walls and crumbling concrete. The entrance gate is locked as is the big wooden front door. The glass in the windows is broken. Trash litters the small patch of dirt in front of the house that used to have grass, but now is only a desolate patch of dry ground and overgrown weeds. Every time I pass this building I pause to look up at its tall frame and wonder what it used to be. My friends and I jokingly call it “the haunted house” down the street. But what does it mean for something to truly be haunted? And how should Christians respond?
Today, my discussion on the blog will look a little different. I’ve invited my roommate, Jamison Kent, to share about a spooky experience she had this past year. Her story will be followed by an interview as we discuss what the Bible really says about demons and evil. Take it away, Jamision:
* * *
I work at a haunted theater. That’s what my coworkers said anyways. They told me about the sounds they heard, the flickering lights, and one time when they saw a dark portal of some sort. Upon hearing these rumors, I was skeptical. Ghosts don’t exist, I thought, so the theater can’t be haunted. I didn’t think about the spiritual explanation for these hauntings until one day when I experienced it myself.
I had worked at this theater for a year and had never seen any proof of this haunting until one day when I was assigned to work in the area of the theater that was the “most haunted.” I was not concerned. There’s no such thing as ghosts, I thought as I got to my position. But as I walked toward my assigned posting, I felt an undeniable tension in the air. It was palpable. That’s strange, I thought. I walked further away from that particular spot, and the tension let up. I stood there, with an uneasy feeling washing over me. After a while, I ventured back to the spot I had been in before. The air felt thicker. Like clockwork, I could feel the tension return. Oh no, the realization began to flood my mind. My steps quickened away as I started to pray. Jesus, let your presence be known here as there is something else making its presence known. I spent my entire shift that night battling in prayer. I could feel there was something there and it wasn’t a ghost.
The next time I worked at the theater, I was relieved to be posted on a different floor. I busily helped theater patrons find their seats and thought I would be free of any spiritual interference. Boy, was I wrong! As the show started, the flow of customers slowed. I noticed the elevator that opened into the theater begin to move and wondered who would be coming up so late. The doors to the elevator opened and there was no one there. I stared at the elevator confused about why it had stopped at this floor, and as I stared I saw the row of lights on the hallway next to me begin to flicker. The light closest to the elevator flickered, and then the next, and then the next, as if something was coming towards me. My heart rate raced as the light flickering came closer to where I stood. The light above my head flickered. I stood breathless. It was then that I felt a hand slap the back of my head. The light above my head flickered again. It stopped. The next light away from me flickered. It stopped. Each light in the hallway flickered in turn toward the elevator. The elevator doors opened and closed again and the elevator went back down. I stood in disbelief of what I had just witnessed and I spent the rest of my shift in prayer. I told my friends and family what happened, and they prayed for the situation as well. After these prayers, there were no more experiences with the demon in that theater.
Two months later, an article came out about five pig hearts being found in the alley behind this theater. What a creepy crime, I thought. A few days later I was talking to one of the pit musicians at work and he told me that he saw a woman in white in the balcony. This balcony was empty during the show. Not only that, but his sighting of this woman would have happened the day after the hearts were found. When I heard this, I knew something dark was happening. Someone was intentionally having dealings with the demon (or demons) at this theater. I again spent my shift in prayer.
That week, I asked if anyone could do a prayer walk. A friend agreed to join me to spend half an hour walking around the theater praying for God’s hand to be at work. We prayed that He would show the evil there who is mightier. In the many months since, I have not experienced anything or heard any new stories from coworkers. However, my coworkers are now getting into tarot cards and various types of magic, so fervent prayer continues to be necessary and I continue to speak truth into their lives when God opens those doors.
* * *
Kayla here. When I first heard about Jamison’s experience, I was in disbelief. This is not the kind of story you hear every day. I realized that many of my ideas about haunted houses and ghosts had been shaped by pop culture and folklore. I thought of abandoned buildings in the middle of nowhere, not packed theaters in a big city. And though ghosts are not real, we do know that the spiritual realm is. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Knowing this, we must answer the many questions that come up with a topic like this by looking at the world through this lens. The following is my interview with Jamison regarding her experience.
Kayla: What did you think about hauntings and ghost stories before these experiences?
Jamison: I thought they were all made up or a way for a person’s mind to try and rationalize emptiness when we are used to people always being around. I didn’t think something like this was possible
Kayla: Is it possible for a place to be haunted?
Jamison: Yes, but not by ghosts as people commonly think. After this experience I asked the same question to professors and fellow students and the answer was that demons can attach themselves to a place that has been dedicated for them; a place where sin is commonly practiced and often celebrated. (Eph. 4:25-27)
Kayla: How should we respond if someone says a place is haunted?
Jamison: I think the first step would be to ask for clarity as to what they mean. There are places that urban legend says are haunted, like old houses, hotels, or abandoned buildings, but that doesn’t mean they are. However, if the place does sound like it’s haunted, then that means there is something spiritual going on.
Kayla: Should Christians go to “haunted houses” for Halloween? Are those just for fun or are they actually haunted?
Jamison: If it’s a “haunted house” where actors do jump scares, there is nothing wrong with that. However I would be wary of places on “most haunted buildings” lists. The theater I work at is on a few of those lists, but it’s not a place you can take a haunted tour of. Some of these places are actually a hoax, but it can be hard to tell which is real and which is fake, so if you do decide to go to one, be prepared for some upfront spiritual warfare.
Kayla: Should I be scared of haunted places?
Jamison: NO! God is more powerful than anything else on this earth, whether that be in the physical world or the spiritual world. The initial feeling of fear is understandable. I felt it myself when I was first confronted by this. However, that fear is not a place to stay because we have God with us, always. (Psalm 23:4, Luke 10:17-20)
Kayla: How should we respond when friends are talking about a haunted place and are excited about it? Is it okay for me to just go along with the fun?
Jamison: I would counter this question first with “Are they Christian?” This changes the approach to the answer, but not the answer itself. In either case I would not advise ‘just going along with it.’ The Christian friends should be reminded that there could be a real spiritual battle awaiting them at the haunted place whereas this could be used as an opportunity to share your beliefs with your non-Christian friends.
Kayla: Do you really believe demons are real? Isn’t that just some crazy folklore?
Jamison: Demons are real! They are in the Bible. Jesus, his disciples, and Paul all encountered demons. Today, western society thinks demons are only something eastern society has to deal with. However, where there is light, the dark will try to snuff it out.
Kayla: What does the Bible say about Demons? How much power do they have over me and how can they attack me?
Jamison: Demons only have as much power as God allows them. This is seen clearly in Job 1. In the Gospels, the demons had to obey Jesus because He has authority over them and when Jesus sends out the seventy-two he gives them the same authority.
With this in mind, they have no power over you, but through Christ you have power over them. This might cause them to lash out, maybe do a light show and hit you like the one I encountered did. While this might be scary in the moment, it just shows how little power that demon had to do anything to me. It is possible God will allow one to do more, but God will be with you and give you the strength to face it.
Kayla: What do I do if I face a spiritual attack?
Jamison: Turn to God! The best way to defeat a spiritual enemy is to meet him on his battle field, so put on the armor of God and charge the spiritual realm. Also, you are not in this fight alone. Turn to brothers and sisters in Christ to help you fight. They can give you both spiritual and physical support and they want to help you.
Kayla: Do demons attack differently in different parts of the world?
Jamison: I think it would be naive to say yes because my experience does not fit the mold of western demonic experiences, but there is a trend. Since the Eastern world has clear idols (demons) they are worshiping, the Church and culture there does look more like the Church in Acts than our Western Church does. I also believe that mental illness can be augmented by demons and that seems to be their primary play in the Western world. But it is harmful to get stuck in these boxes because then we might miss something happening right before our eyes.
Kayla: Can prayer really protect me against evil? How should I pray against evil? Do you have any examples?
Jamison: Yes, prayer can protect you because in prayer you are calling on God who has all authority. I think some of the best examples for prayers against evil are in the Psalms and it gives a good structure to follow to form your own prayers on the topic.
- The Address – usually directly to God, “Hear me O God”
- The Lament Proper – a description of the occurrences for which you are requesting assistance or rescue
- Confession of Trust – a statement showing you belief that God will hear their prayers
- The Petition Proper and Motivation – a usually very specific statement of what you want God to do
- Exclamation of Certainty- That the psalmists prayer has been or will be heard by God
- Vow of Praise – portion of the lament where the people promise to offer thanksgiving once seeing God’s intervention
Kayla: How should Christians think about or celebrate Halloween in a God honoring way?
Jamison: Halloween itself can be a lot of fun. I loved getting dressed up in fun costumes and getting lots of candy, so I don’t believe Halloween is something that needs to be totally off limits. However, the spiritual matters that come up during Halloween should not be taken lightly. Take a look at what you’re watching and what aspects of the holiday that get you excited. As adults it is much easier to slip into the dark side of Halloween and that is not God honoring, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the innocent fun of a costume and candy!
Jamison Kent is a 23 year old Moody graduate currently working for Broadway in Chicago. In her free time she enjoys watching Netflix, reading, writing, and having deep conversations with her friends. You can find her meme page, Memeing Through the Bible, on Facebook.
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