John 8:32,36 "and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"; "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed"-"then you are unquestionably free" (Ber)

Contrary to popular opinion, becoming a Christian is not a handicap. Jesus died for us, so we could be freed from many harmful and enslaving things. Not only is the Christian liberated from his or her sins, but God also wants us to be freed from worry, anxiety (Philippians 4:6), distracting cares (Matthew 6:25), the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15), and the popular fears, phobias, and superstitions which rule the lives of non-Christians. Paul said, "We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you in order that you should turn from these vain things to a living God" (Acts 14:15). In this lesson I want to point out some of the superstitions, myths and distracting cares from which God has liberated us. In addition, as we examine these things, I think it will become apparent to many, that the "religion" professed by many people in the world is a combination of myth, old wives fables, idolatry, and a little dose of biblical truth. Nothing has changed (1 Timothy 1:4; 4:6-7; 6:20).

First things first. If you run into someone who claims that they have seen a ghost, then you need to point out to them, such would be proof that man survives the death of the physical body. In addition, such would also destroy any faith that they might have had in Evolution, for Evolution is completely opposed to anything that is supernatural.

The Bible claims that man survives the death of the body (Philippians 1:21,23). Yet when people talk about ghosts, they are usually referring to disembodied spirits which are roaming the earth, possibly the spirits of evil men who are tormenting people or working off the wages of their sins. In view of the following Scriptures, we must reject such superstitions:

Death completely cuts one off from the affairs of this earthly life (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 "and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun"). Some claim that ghosts are spirits that are taking care of some unfinished business. In contrast, the Bible exhorts us to take care of business now, for a time is coming when there is nothing else that we can accomplish (9:10).

The dead stay dead and spirits do not end up misplaced or in some cosmic "lost and found" department (Ecclesiastes 12:7 "and the spirit will return to God who gave it"; 2 Samuel 12:23 "I shall go to him, but he will not return to me".)

The souls of the wicked are not allowed to roam about and bother people. In fact, the unrighteous do not even have free movement in the life beyond, not even to mention this life (Luke 16:26). Please note that the rich man could not return to this life and warn his brothers. His statements reveal that all movement concerning human souls in the spiritual realm is completely dependent upon God (16:27-28).

In view of the fact that God is able to imprison and keep under confinement powerful angelic beings (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6); it would obviously pose little difficulty to keep the souls of unrighteous individuals (2 Peter 2:9 "and to keep (present tense) the unrighteous (dead) under punishment for the day of judgment"). This last statement reveals that God does not punish the wicked by causing them to roam the earth. All the wicked are currently under punishment and awaiting the final judgment. As Christian parents we have the privilege to share such liberating truths with our children.

It seems clear that Paul did not perceive of people being born with the natural ability to read the mind of another human being. In contrast, one of the characteristics of Deity is the ability to read the minds of men (1 Kings 8:39 "whose heart Thou knowest, for Thou alone dost know the hearts of all the sons of men".) Jesus manifested His Deity, when He penetrated the inward thoughts of those surrounding Him (Mark 2:8).

Jesus did not see Christians being able to read the minds of others. Concerning false teachers, He said, "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16), and not, "You will know them by reading their minds". It apparently took a miraculous gift in order to instantly perceive if someone was honest or not (1 Corinthians 12:10).

Once again, one of the qualities that distinguishes God from man, is the ability to know the future. In fact, God issues a challenge to all impostors to tell us something about the future (Isaiah 44:7 "And who is like Me? …And let them declare to them the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place".) In the same context, God sets himself against all mediums, spiritualists, diviners (which would include astrologers, and psychics of every variety). "Causing the omens of boasters to fail, making fools out of diviners, causing wise men to draw back "(44:25).

The test for a true prophet was the ability to predict the future (Deuteronomy 18:20). Yet such a prophet was given miraculous ability (2 Peter 1:20-21). In addition, note Deuteronomy 13:1-3:

Then there are those simple practical observations: A. If one can truly read the future, they will not be selling their services or wares in the classifieds or on some local television or radio station. If you could really read the future, then you would not be wasting your time in writing a newspaper column and you would not be dependent upon helping people with their small problems to make a buck. B. A true psychic would immediately know the winning numbers for every lottery, the outcome of every sporting event, the future movement of the stock market, and the perpetuator of every crime—in fact, they could anticipate every crime. One true psychic could put an immediate end to the Mafia, the drug cartels, every unsolved murder, all terrorist activity and on and on. In addition, one such person would end up being the richest person on the face of the planet.

The above title is accurate. They are near death, but the person did not actually die. Thus it is inaccurate to say that such a person died, saw a glimpse of the after-life and came back. Man only dies once (Hebrews 9:27), and while medical science has made tremendous advances, the Bible still contains the most accurate definition concerning at what point a person is dead (James 2:26). If such things as the above prove anything they prove:

God is merciful and fair, for He has given many people another chance (in this life) to make things right. God has not snatched every soul that has been close to the point of leaving the body.

The secular evidence agrees with the Bible’s claim that impending death or near death does not threaten human consciousness. Man does survive the death of the body and there is a definite afterlife.

Please note that not all near death experiences are pleasant (white light, warm feeling, and so on). They are not given equal time in the media, but there are people who have terrifying near-death experiences as well, i.e., condemnation, fire, and brimstone.

In putting together this lesson, I am convinced that our so-called modern society is steeped in just as much ignorance and superstition as any past civilization. When people stop listening to God, they are bound to end up believing or buying into myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

The common assumption is: "If life exists on other planets, such would disprove the Bible", yet why would it?

The Bible makes it clear that God is the Creator of everything that exists, not only on earth, but also in the heavens (Revelation 10:6 "Who created heaven and the things in it"; Colossians 1:16 "For by Him all things were created, BOTH in the heavens and on earth, visible or invisible…all things have been created by Him and for Him"). Countless passages stress the same truth (Psalm 33:6; Isaiah 45:12; Acts 4:24; 17:24). Whatever life exists in the physical or spiritual universe, is life that owes its existence to God!

The second common assumption concerning life on other planets is that "Such Life Would Be Super-Intelligent": Why do people always assume that such life would be highly advanced? I am persuaded that many make this assumption, because they are looking to such supposed life for their hope. For many people, ET and all his equivalents has become a substitute for God. People look to the stars in the hope that some highly advanced society will arrive and help us solve all our problems. In contrast, highly advanced, extra-terrestrial life has always made contact with mankind. The solutions to our most pressing problems have already been addressed, and a Savior has already come! (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 16:13; 3:16). I am always puzzled as to why we are looking for life in the universe, when the ultimate "Life" has already come. Why are we looking for little men in spaceships, when the Creator Himself has already visited? (John 1:14)

Even Christians tend to forget that created life in any part of the universe is life that would be and is accountable to God. The angels are certainly a very highly advanced form of life. In fact they are more advanced than any imaginary life forms portrayed on Star Wars, Star Trek and so on. Yet, angels are not immune from the need to obey God, and they are definitely under His jurisdiction (Jude 6 "And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day".)

Many people believe that it is arrogant to believe that the only life that exists in this universe exists on this earth. People say, "We couldn’t be the only planet which contains life, we can’t be the center of the universe!" Yet, the Bible makes it clear that God Himself has visited this planet and died for our sins and that is never viewed as arrogant (John 3:16).

In reading that verse, it sure sounds as if the earth is the focal point of the whole physical creation. The rest of the universe is merely background and scenery for this planet and its inhabitants. Now, do we feel small in this gigantic universe, or do we feel significant and important? Then next step is to live up to our importance.

One writer makes the following observation: "The Bible does not say whether or not life is found elsewhere in the universe. However, because the Earth was created first and the Sun, moon, and stars were made on the fourth day, it seems likely that because the Earth was center stage in the Creation, everything else was created for the Earth" (Ken Ham, "Life In the Rock?", Answers in Genesis, p. 3(9):3).

Then there is another angle: One of the things that Evolution has to fear is the discovery of life on another planet, besides this planet. The mathematical probability of life happening on this planet by chance, is less than once chance in 10 to the 1000^th power attempts. Which means that the mathematical probability is zero. What is the mathematical probability of life evolving by chance, not once, but twice! If Evolution has suffered a serious blow by the results of the first question, then obviously the results to the second question would be the final knock out blow for all time.

For a good article which examines the claims of the rock found in Antarctica, which some claim is a meteorite which originated from Mars, and which it is also claimed shows signs of early life on that planet, see: Reason & Revelation, Vol. 16, No. 10, 1996, ‘Life on Mars?’, Trevor Major, pp. 78-79 (ask Mark for a copy).

Finally, when people argue, "We cannot be the only life in the universe, for just look at how big the universe is!" They tend to forget that there are many other life forms in the universe, and these are mentioned in the Bible. There is God, there are the myriads of angels and then there is Satan and his angels (Ephesians 6:12). The Universe is filled with life, but life on a spiritual plane.