Title October 2021

Do They Really Exist? And How Should We Guard Ourselves Against Them?

In many African traditional belief systems, mizimu refers to the spirits of deceased individuals—souls believed to return to the land of the living. These spirits are thought either to return of their own will or to be summoned by someone with the intent of resolving unresolved issues, offering guidance, or even seeking revenge for wrongs suffered before death.

But what does the Bible say about these beliefs?
Do the spirits of the dead (mizimu) truly exist and operate as some claim?

Biblically, the answer is no.
There is no Scriptural support for the idea that human spirits can return from the dead or be called upon by the living to solve earthly problems. Once a person dies, their soul departs permanently from this world and enters eternity—either in the presence of God or in separation from Him.

Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) clearly states:

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”

This passage affirms that death is final in terms of earthly existence. There are no spiritual “visitations” from the dead—no second chances or lingering presences of human souls on earth.

What About the Story of Saul and the Spirit of Samuel?

Some might point to the Old Testament account in 1 Samuel 28, where King Saul, in desperation, sought out a medium (the witch of Endor) to summon the prophet Samuel. The spirit appeared and rebuked Saul, foretelling his impending death.

While this incident is unique, it does not legitimize necromancy or the belief in roaming spirits. In fact, the Law strictly forbade any interaction with the dead:

Deuteronomy 18:10–12 (NIV) says:

“Let no one be found among you… who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft… or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”

Moreover, after Christ’s death and resurrection, all authority over death and the grave was transferred to Him. The enemy no longer holds the keys to the realm of the dead.

Revelation 1:18 (NIV):

“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

So What Are These Apparitions That Look Like the Dead?

If the dead cannot return, then what are people seeing or experiencing when they claim to have encountered a deceased loved one?

The answer is: these are deceiving spirits—unclean demons that impersonate the dead.

The Bible warns us that Satan and his demons are masters of disguise.

2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV):

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

If the devil can appear as an angel, how much easier is it for him or his demons to mimic the voice or appearance of a departed family member? These spirits aim to deceive, mislead, and ultimately draw people away from the truth of the Gospel.

Many cultures end up venerating these apparitions, believing they are honoring their ancestors, when in fact they are unknowingly engaging with demonic spirits. This opens the door to spiritual oppression and bondage.

Psalm 106:37–38 (NIV):

“They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods. They shed innocent blood… whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.”

Though we may not physically sacrifice today, spiritual deception and worship of false spirits is just as defiling.

How Can We Guard Ourselves?

The only true protection from these deceiving spirits is found in Jesus Christ. Outside of Christ, people are vulnerable to spiritual deception and the influence of demonic forces.

Ephesians 6:11–12 (ESV):

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against… the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

If you have not yet received salvation through Jesus, now is the time. Only in Him is there true authority over evil spirits and power to discern truth from deception. Those who are in Christ are covered by His blood and protected by the Holy Spirit.

Let us be vigilant. Let us seek biblical understanding, lest we unknowingly give worship to Satan while thinking we are honoring God.

Hosea 4:6 (NKJV):

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

May the Lord bless you and give you discernment.
Maranatha—Come, Lord Jesus.

Baal was a prominent pagan deity worshiped by the Canaanites and the people of Tyre and Sidon. According to Canaanite mythology, Baal was believed to be the son of El, the chief god, and Asherah, his consort. Baal came to be revered as a powerful god, central to the religious systems of these ancient cultures.

The name Baal literally means “lord” or “master.” He was regarded as the god of fertility, rain, and agricultural abundance. People believed that Baal controlled the seasons and the ability of the land to bear fruit. In times of drought or agricultural failure, worshipers would offer sacrifices and prayers to Baal, hoping he would restore the land’s productivity. Similarly, those struggling with infertility would turn to Baal, seeking children as a blessing from him.

Baal worship was widespread in the ancient Near East and eventually crept into Israel, despite God’s clear commands against idolatry. The first notable instance of this is found during the period of the Judges:

“Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the Lord’s anger because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.”
— Judges 2:11–13 (NIV)

Though initially limited, Baal worship among the Israelites intensified dramatically during the reign of King Ahab. Ahab, under the influence of his wife Jezebel—the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians—led Israel into deep apostasy:

“Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.”
— 1 Kings 16:30–33 (NIV)

It was during this period of rampant idolatry that God raised up the prophet Elijah to confront the false worship and call the people back to Yahweh. The showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel vividly revealed the impotence of Baal and the absolute supremacy of the true and living God:

“So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. ‘Baal, answer us!’ they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.”
— 1 Kings 18:26 (NIV)

Despite their loud cries and frenzied rituals, Baal remained silent—because he was not a real god. Scripture affirms that idols are nothing but the work of human hands and that behind them are demonic forces meant to deceive:

“They sacrificed to false gods, which are not God—gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your ancestors did not fear.”
— Deuteronomy 32:17 (NIV)

“No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:20 (NIV)

In truth, there is only one God—Yahweh, the Creator of heaven and earth. All other so-called gods are false and powerless. Baal was not a god; he was a demonic deception meant to lead people away from the truth.

The story of Baal serves as a strong warning even today. Worshiping anything other than the one true God is idolatry and an offense to Him. God calls His people to exclusive loyalty:

“You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Exodus 20:3 (NIV)

The apostle Paul also warns that idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of God:

“Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men… will inherit the kingdom of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (NIV)

Let us, therefore, turn away from every form of idolatry and worship the one true God in spirit and in truth.

May the Lord bless and keep us faithful to Him alone.

Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus. Welcome as we reflect on the Scriptures.

2 Corinthians 11:4 (ESV) says:
“For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”

When Paul wrote these words, he was not praising the Corinthian believers for their tolerance. On the contrary—he was rebuking them. His tone was one of concern and alarm. He was saying, “You’re too willing to tolerate false teachers and false teachings!”

To put it plainly: Paul was warning them not to accept anyone who came preaching a distorted Christ, operating by a counterfeit spirit, or proclaiming a corrupted gospel. The Corinthians were tolerating these things rather than rejecting them—and that was spiritually dangerous.

This warning is just as urgent today as it was then. There are still “other Jesuses,” “other spirits,” and “other gospels” being preached in the world—and even in churches.

Who is this “other Jesus”?

The true Jesus of Scripture declared:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 (ESV)

But the “other Jesus” says: “There are many ways to God—through other saints, through religious traditions, or through various world religions.” This is not the Jesus of the Bible—it is a deception.

The true Jesus said:
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
And again:
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” – Mark 8:36 (ESV)

But the “other Jesus” says: “You don’t have to deny yourself. You can keep your sinful habits. God looks at your heart, not your outward life.” This false Jesus demands no repentance, no obedience, and no transformation—and that is not the Jesus who saves.

This is why Paul warned the Corinthians: Don’t accept a false Christ. It is not a small error—it is a doorway to spiritual ruin. As Jesus warned:
“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” – Matthew 24:24 (ESV)

What about the “other spirit”?

The true Holy Spirit is the Spirit of holiness. As His name implies, His work is to sanctify—to set us apart from sin and make us more like Christ.

Jesus said of the Holy Spirit:
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” – John 16:13 (ESV)

And Paul says:
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16 (ESV)

Yet many today are influenced by another spirit—not the Holy Spirit. This counterfeit spirit does not lead to holiness but to compromise. It does not convict of sin but excuses it. It does not lead to truth but to confusion. Under its influence, people indulge in immorality, embrace worldly fashion that dishonors God, harbor bitterness, and ignore Scripture. These are not the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)—they are works of the flesh.

Beware of spirits that masquerade as holy but produce no evidence of sanctification. 1 John 4:1 (ESV) warns:
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”

And what of the “other gospel”?

The word gospel means “good news”—specifically, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul wrote:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” – Romans 1:16 (ESV)

The true gospel calls us to repentance, faith in Christ, and a life of obedience. It delivers us from sin and the coming judgment.

But the “other gospel” makes no such demands. It tells people what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. It tolerates unforgiveness, vengeance, and bitterness. It encourages believers to “pray against” their enemies rather than forgive them—contrary to what Christ taught:

“But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:15 (ESV)

A gospel that justifies hatred, resentment, and spiritual pride is no gospel at all—it is a message from hell, not from heaven.

Sadly, many churchgoers today are filled with anger and unforgiveness, yet they think they are walking in the light because they attend church and follow religious routines. But without love, forgiveness, and holiness, we are deceiving ourselves.

So ask yourself:

Which Jesus have I received?
Which spirit is influencing my life?
Which gospel do I believe?

Is it the Jesus of Scripture, the true Holy Spirit, and the gospel that leads to salvation? Or is it a counterfeit—crafted to appeal to the flesh but powerless to save?

Let us heed the apostolic warning and discern carefully. As Scripture exhorts:

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” – 2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)

The times are deceptive. Let us hold fast to the truth.

Maranatha—The Lord is coming soon!

Cedar wood refers to a type of tree that was commonly found in the region of Lebanon, located north of Israel. While cedar trees grew in various parts of the ancient world, they thrived most abundantly in Lebanon. This tree was renowned for its superior quality and durability compared to other types of timber. Cedar wood was hard and resistant to decay, making it highly valuable for many uses, especially construction.

Lebanon became wealthy through the trade of cedar wood, as many powerful nations such as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Israel imported this timber for various purposes, particularly building.

King David famously used cedar from Lebanon to build his palace:

2 Samuel 5:11 (ESV)
“Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons, who built David a house.”

David also mentioned his own humble dwelling made of cedar wood contrasted with the Ark of the Covenant:

2 Samuel 7:2 (ESV)
“You shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.’”

(Note: David’s house was of cedar, while God’s presence was still in the tent.)

Later, Solomon, David’s son, built the temple of the Lord using large amounts of cedar from Lebanon:

1 Kings 5:5-6 (ESV)
“Behold, I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to my father David, saying, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’ So now command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My servants will be with your servants, and to you will I give whatever wages you say, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

Even after Solomon’s temple was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar, the second temple rebuilt by Zerubbabel also used cedar wood imported from Lebanon:

Ezra 3:6-7 (ESV)
“From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, but the foundation of the house of the Lord was not yet laid. So they gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the Sidonians and Tyrians to bring cedar logs from Lebanon by sea to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from Cyrus king of Persia.”

Cedar Wood as a Symbol of Prosperity and Righteousness

In biblical symbolism, cedar wood represents wealth, strength, and endurance, much like gold. Two valuable materials frequently mentioned in the construction of the temple are cedar wood and gold — both signifying divine beauty, glory, and preciousness.

Just as cedar trees stand tall and flourish in Lebanon, the righteous are promised to prosper and endure before God:

Psalm 92:12-15 (ESV)
“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

This passage beautifully connects the flourishing life of the righteous to the strength and longevity of the cedar tree. The cedar’s durability and grandeur metaphorically illustrate the spiritual vitality and lasting honor given to those who walk in righteousness.

Who Are the Righteous?

Being “righteous” in Scripture does not simply mean claiming to do good works or moral deeds outside of a relationship with Christ. True righteousness is positional and relational, granted by faith in Jesus Christ. It means having been justified by grace through faith, receiving the Holy Spirit, and living in obedience empowered by God.

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.”
— Romans 3:21-22 (ESV)

Anyone who trusts in their own efforts apart from Christ is not truly righteous before God. Only those who have received Jesus by faith, who have been baptized into Him, and who walk by the Spirit can be counted as righteous.

Final Blessing

Just as cedar trees were highly esteemed for their strength and beauty, so too will those who are righteous in God’s eyes flourish and be honored. May God bless us all to be firmly rooted in Him, growing strong and flourishing like the majestic cedar.