Haunted houses are often dismissed as folklore or entertainment but as Christopher Reese writes in his recent Blaze article “Facing Darkness: What No One Tells You About Haunted Houses,” the threat is far more real and more widespread than many realize.
“A 2022 YouGov poll found that one in four Americans say they’ve lived in a house they believe was haunted,” Reese noted, adding that the flood of paranormal videos and bad advice online has left many people spiritually vulnerable.
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Reese argues that these experiences aren’t just psychological or imaginary. For those who have encountered the unexplained he says the cause is not ghosts or lost souls but something far darker.
The Reality of the Demonic
While Hollywood often paints hauntings as tragic ghost stories or residual human energy, Reese contends that true hauntings are demonic in nature. He draws from both Scripture and the testimony of Christians who have dealt with such situations firsthand.
He acknowledges that God may permit some human spirits to briefly appear but makes a clear distinction: when the activity involves fear, chaos or harm — “banging or scratching sounds, disembodied voices, foul odors, dark figures and physical attacks” — it is always the work of demons.
As Christians this understanding changes the conversation. What secular investigators view as paranormal activity is in truth spiritual warfare and no amount of technology or skepticism can confront it. Only the authority of Jesus Christ can.
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How Christians Should Respond
Reese offers practical advice rooted in biblical wisdom for anyone who suspects spiritual oppression in their home. He cautions that fear and isolation often empower the demonic. “Most people understandably fear being labeled ‘crazy’ or ‘attention-seeking,’” he writes, “but this serves the purposes of the demonic, who want to isolate an individual or family so that they suffer alone and don’t receive help.”
Instead Christians should reach out to mature believers or pastors for prayer, counsel and deliverance. Reese warns against turning to psychics, mediums or paranormal investigators, calling them unhelpful at best and spiritually dangerous at worst.
When a medium was called in to help with the infamous Annabelle case, he recounts, “the demon concocted a story about being a 7-year-old girl who had died… to gain the sympathy of the doll’s owner,” opening the door to even greater deception.
Biblical Steps to Take
For those seeking deliverance and protection Reese recommends several biblical steps:
- Seek godly counsel from trusted pastors or spiritually mature Christians
- Cleanse the home with prayer, Scripture and the authority of Christ
- Repent of any occult involvement and remove all occult objects or symbols
- Stand firm in faith trusting that Jesus has already conquered the powers of darkness
Reese emphasizes that finding a pastor willing to help can sometimes be difficult as some clergy lack faith in the supernatural or fear damaging their church’s reputation. Nevertheless Christians must persevere knowing that the battle belongs to the Lord.
Closing Spiritual Doors
According to Reese, demonic infestations often arise when “doors” are opened through occult practices or curiosity about the spiritual realm. Using Ouija boards, attempting to contact the dead or participating in witchcraft all violate biblical commands such as those found in Deuteronomy 18.
He cites that roughly 70% of the cases he’s seen or heard of involved someone using an Ouija board. Repentance, removal of occult items and renewed submission to God are crucial to closing these spiritual gateways.
Victory Through Christ Alone
Ultimately Reese reminds readers that deliverance and freedom come only through a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. He cites 1 John 3:8, where Scripture declares that Christ came “to destroy the devil’s work,” and Colossians 1:13, which says He rescues believers “from the dominion of darkness.”
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In a culture obsessed with ghosts and the paranormal Reese’s message is a sobering and necessary reminder: the battle is real but victory is assured through Christ. Christians are not powerless. As Reese rightly notes, the Bible declares, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11).
For those facing darkness the answer isn’t found in fear, folklore or technology. It’s found in the name above all names.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
