(This is a follow-up to “EGPs”)

I have to respond to your demonology answer.  Yes, I believe that demons are not subject to humans truly living in the name of Jesus, but I believe the Lord allows evil to dwell in ignorance.  I myself, along with many other investigators, have experienced scientific proof of ghosts (demons) in electronic voices and documentation.  You can’t really believe that this is just a delusion that hundreds of millions of people are experiencing.  I believe this is Satan using one of his strongest powers, which is the power of deception, to make people believe that some people stay on earth when they die instead of going either to heaven or hell.  There are many cases of possession, such as the case of Anneliese Michel and countless others.  If not for demons, what else could this be?  There has to be a logical answer to ghosts, psychics, possessions, and voodoo besides delusion.  Could it be the deception of a demon?  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Demonologist

Dear Demonologist,

There is definitely deception from demons in this world.  All false teaching and beliefs are doctrines from demons (1 Tim 4:1).  Demons do not directly interact with mankind anymore, as we mentioned in the previous post… this would include supposed ghost encounters, etc.  However, Satan and his minions are actively involved in deceiving mankind.  Demons are false gods, and they are the recipients of all false worship (1 Cor 10:20).  There is no doubt that demons are deluding mankind, but you may be barking up the wrong tree as to how they are doing it.

Hi.  I don’t believe in ghosts, but I do believe in demons, and I believe they get mistaken for ghosts sometimes.  Is this possible, and if it is, is it wrong to be a demonologist?  I know that demonologists sometimes provoke them to try and get evidence for skeptics by doing EGPs (electronic ghost phenomena).  Does it say anything in the Bible about provoking demons, even to try and prove their existence?  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Demonologist

Dear Demonologist,

The Bible tells us that demons are no longer allowed to interact with humans in the way that they did in earlier biblical times.  When Jesus’ disciples were sent out to preach and perform miracles, they came back ecstatic that they were casting out demons (Lk 10:17).  Jesus told them that they were vanquishing Satan and his demons, and Satan was being cast down because of what they were doing (Lk 10:18).  Jesus and His disciples permanently destroyed Satan’s minions’ ability to possess people.  Once the demons were cast out – they were cast out for good (see the case of the demons cast into pigs as an example – Mk 5:11-13).  Thanks to Christ, we don’t have to worry about this issue today.  Satan and his demons have been bound by the work Christ did two thousand years ago (Lk 11:20-22).

Demons do exist, but studying them in the scientific realm would be as fruitful as studying angels in the scientific realm.  Both are spiritual beings and do not conform to scientific study (Eph 6:12, 1 Cor 3:1).

Do dogs have a soul?

Sincerely,
Animal Lover

Dear Animal Lover,

Animals have the “breath of life” just like humans do (Gen 2:7, Gen 6:17).  This “breath of life” is also sometimes referred to as the “spirit” of a man or animal (Gen 7:22).  Animals have spirits, and humans have spirits, but humans were also made in the image of God (Gen 1:26).  Our spirit is eternal and will go up to be with the Father, and animal spirits are temporary and will return to the dust of the earth (Eccl 3:21).  God made our spirit of a different caliber than He made those of the animal.

I am confused because some people say it is not bad to listen to music that says nothing bad, but some say all you should listen to is gospel music.  Which one is true?  Could you still listen to music that doesn’t say bad words or a bad message?  What does the Bible say about it?

Sincerely,
A Musical Ear

Dear A Musical Ear,

There is nothing wrong with listening to music of any type as long as it:

1. Does not teach or profess evil ideas (such as drunkenness, promiscuity, immorality, violence, etc.)
2. Is not full of foul or crass language (Eph 4:29).

Bad company corrupts good morals (1 Cor 15:33), and bad music is a form of bad company.

Having said that – any other type of music is perfectly permissible.  Jesus even used music as an example of general happiness in the parable of the prodigal son (Lk15:25).

As for gospel music – you might find it interesting to know that some christians believe exactly the opposite of what you have been told.  There is debate amongst christians over whether or not religious music should be used as a form of entertainment.  Read our post “Should The Hip Hop Stop?” for another AYP reader’s perspective on “christian” music.

Thank you for the time and energy and effort it takes to keep this site up.  You are heaven-sent!  May the Lord bless each of you that do this for His will and keep you in peace and health and safety.  I would like to ask a question, please.  Can the devil read our minds?  Does he know our thoughts as God does?  Can he hear our prayers, even if we pray silently?  A lady testified in church last Sunday and said she prays silently at her nighttime prayer, so the devil could not hear what she had to say.  Can the devil read our minds, and do you have scripture to prove it, please?

Sincerely,
Not A Mind Reader

Dear Not A Mind Reader,

Satan cannot read your mind, but he can attack your mind.  The devil is exceptionally cunning and wiley (Eph 6:11).  He uses his trickery to deceive us, but he doesn’t know your inner thoughts.  On certain occasions, the devil has placed thoughts within minds (Jhn 13:2), but he cannot see into our hearts.  If the devil could read minds and hearts, he never would have wasted time tempting Jesus (Matt 4:1).

God is the only one to be noted to have the ability to see into our hearts (Acts 1:24) and read our minds (Lk 11:17).  Aside from God, the only one who knows your mind is you (1 Cor 2:11).  The devil may be very clever… but he doesn’t know the depths of your soul.