15/07/12

Ghost

Acts 5:5 - And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.


It is the first time in the last 5 years that for 3 consecutive days I am getting the same scripture. Today as I got it the first thing came across my minds, 'Lord, now what do I write on', then my attention came to the word ghost.

If one looks up a dictionary the word ghost (as a noun) refers to the spirit of a dead man. We should be careful to use this word with other spirits; many people wrongly use the word ghost with the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is not a spirit of man that we can use this word. When we use this word with the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ for the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ is also the Spirit of the Father.

We also cannot use this word towards evil spirits for they are not spirits of man, although all the time they deceive man to be spirits of man, they are really fallen angels. Do we use the term ghost towards the Angels of God even though the Bible uses the word spirits for them?

The Greek word translated as ghost is 'ekpsucho' and this word is a combination of 2 words one is 'ek' which means 'out of' or 'away from' and the other word is 'psucho' which means 'wax cold' something to do with coldness due loss of breath symbolizing spirit lacking life.

If we look at this word it more refers to a spirit that is lifeless (metaphorically speaking). The spirit of a Believer in Jesus Christ is not a ghost for even though it goes to sleep it is living, bubbling with life. The Greek word used for the Spirit of God is not 'ekpsucho' but is 'pneuma' which means just 'spirit'. Another place where many translators have made a mistake with using the word is when Jesus died on the crucifix it is written He gave up His ghost. That place neither the word 'ekpsucho' nor 'pneuma' is used but the word 'ekpneo' which is combination of 'ek' and 'pneuma' that is 'out of spirit'.

The word 'ekpsucho' meaning ghost in the Bible is used only 3 times. When we look at the places it is used then we will have a good idea of where to use the word ghost.

Acts 5:5 - And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Acts 5:10 - Then fell she [Ananias' wife] down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

Acts 12:23 - And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

Ananias and his wife had grieved the Holy Spirit by disobeying Him and thus their spirits were condemned after their death. Again in Acts 12 the word is used to a person who is smote with disease by an Angel of God. So we see the word ghost can only be used for the spirit of a man who is condemned to vanity. The word cannot be used for the spirit of a Believer and certainly not for the Spirit of God.

We should be careful when we use this word for man for it is in this area the Lord says not to judge, for if we are wrong we will be paying a very heavy price. Thus we can use it only when we have been told so by the Holy Spirit.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, we ask your forgiveness for the times we have unknowingly condemned the spirits of your loved one by using the term ghost for them. We also seek forgiveness for using this term for the Spirit of God. Lord, we know You do not hold a wrong done out of ignorance but today as we have come to the knowledge of it we are expected to abide by it. Lord, we thank You for Jesus Christ for by Him when we die we will not be ghost but be a spirit full of life...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Acts 5:1-11
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Acts 12:1-23

Hebrew 1:13-14
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Matthew 5:22 - But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca [empty- referring to lifeless spirit or a non-living soul], shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.


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