QUESTION: Can someone’s ability to feel strange things or hear voices of people far away come from God?

There is a man I know who has been experiencing some unusual things. He once told me, “I hear people talking about coming to arrest me.” Then he asked me, “Do you hear them too?” I said, “No, I don’t hear anything.” It was clear that only he could hear those voices.

Another time, he held my hand and said, “Can you hear them singing my song?” Again, I couldn’t hear anything. He seemed deeply afraid.

Just a few nights ago, I found him outside our house holding a machete. He asked me, “Do you hear that old woman across the street saying I raped her granddaughter?” (Note: that woman lives far away from us.) I replied, “No, I don’t hear anything.” He then returned home with his machete, speaking seriously and calmly. Sometimes, he even says he sees people standing at his door.

I once tried talking to him about giving his life to Jesus, but he replied, “I’ll fight in a military way,” which I understood to mean through witchdoctors or spiritualists. But now, I see that he cannot “fight” as he claimed—his condition is worsening, and I fear that if nothing is done, he might completely lose his mind.

So my question is: what exactly is happening to him? What spirit is behind this?

ANSWER:

Shalom.
The spiritual world is very real. Both the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness are active. While the Holy Spirit empowers and transforms people into the likeness of Christ, Satan also deceives and enslaves people through fear, lies, and counterfeit experiences.

In this man’s case—hearing voices, sensing conversations from far away, and claiming to see people who aren’t there—it is clear that a spirit is at work within him. However, it is not the Holy Spirit of God, but an unclean spirit, likely invited through direct or indirect contact with the occult or demonic knowledge.

Why is this not from God?

Because the fruit of this spirit in his life is fear, torment, confusion, and aggression—which are not characteristics of God’s Spirit. The Bible clearly says:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
—2 Timothy 1:7

And again:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
—Galatians 5:22–23

If the Holy Spirit was in him, we would see evidence of peace, joy, gentleness, and self-control. Instead, this man lives in fear, hears tormenting voices, and is filled with suspicion. These are the opposite fruits—evidence that he is being influenced by an evil spirit.

Just as the Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers (1 Corinthians 12:7–10), such as prophecy, healing, tongues, and teaching, evil spirits also counterfeit gifts. People under demonic influence may hear distant voices, have psychic-like insights, perform signs, or possess a persuasive ability that leads others into error or destruction.

Jesus warned us about this:

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
—John 10:10

This man has likely been ensnared by the enemy, either knowingly or unknowingly. Because he doesn’t know Christ, he might wrongly believe these experiences are supernatural gifts from God. But Scripture warns us:

“And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”
—2 Corinthians 11:14

What should be done?

The most important thing is that he hears and believes the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
—Romans 10:17

Take time to explain the Good News to him—that Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), and through His death and resurrection, He offers complete freedom and new life to anyone who believes in Him.

If he responds in faith:

1. Pray for him in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. Lay hands on him and command the evil spirits to leave.
3. Encourage him to repent from sin and be baptized.

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children…’”
—Acts 2:38–39

Once he receives the Holy Spirit, he will experience a radical change. The torment will be replaced by divine peace, his fears by joy, his confusion by clarity, and his restlessness by the gentleness and self-control of Christ.

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
—John 8:36

Final Encouragement:

Don’t give up on him. Keep praying. Keep sharing the truth. The power of the cross is greater than any demonic influence, and Jesus came for people exactly like him—those bound, broken, and lost.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me… He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
—Luke 4:18

May the Lord give you wisdom, courage, and grace as you minister to him.

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