The Bible tells us that our souls will not be coming back to this world once we are dead.  “As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so one who goes down to the grave does not return.” (Job 7:9)  Furthermore, Jesus mentioned in the story of the rich man and Lazarus that the rich man who died, was in torment in Hades, and is unable to go back to his family to warn them not to come to this place of torment (Luke 16:19-31).  Hence, the living will not interact with the dead.  This makes the burning of joss stick and paper money meaningless.

This does not mean that ghosts do not exist in this world.  The four books of the gospel, as well as the book of Acts wrote about several accounts of Jesus and the disciples casting out ghosts.   These ghosts are in fact evil spirits, who fought alongside Satan against God’s angles.  In present times, Satan and his evil spirits are still hard at work.  They would devise all ways to deceive and blind you to prevent you from believing in the one true God.  Their existence is real.  We need not, however, be afraid.  For Christians who believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is not only with us, but He is within us.  Therefore, we need not, like the unbelievers, be afraid of ghosts so as to fall into Satan’s trap.  “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

The Bible tells us that all blessings come from God: “I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing’” (Psalm 16:2).  For this reason, Christians do not participate in any hungry ghost festival activities and prayers, for all these are considered to be praying to idols.  “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).  The Lord hates evil, and as His children, we should distance ourselves from any forms of idol praying.  Are Christians allowed to watch “Ge-tai” performances during the seventh month?  Christians are not allowed to be involved in seventh month prayers.  But are we allowed to receive the objects which were offered during those prayers?  Although the stage performances are purely for the purpose of entertainment and does not involve any idol praying, why of all forms, you would choose that as your entertainment?  If someone you know happens to be present, and who knows that you are a Christian, what would they think of you?  “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say-but not everything is beneficial.  ‘I have the right to do anything’-but not everything is constructive.  No one should seek their own good, but the good of others” (1 Cor 10:23-24).  The same principle applies to the question of Christians receiving objects of offering of the seventh month prayers.  With regards to food offerings in prayers, Paul has this to say to us: “If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.  But if someone says to you, ‘This has been offered in sacrifice,’ then do not eat it, both for the sake of conscience.  I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours  For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience?” (1 Cor 10:27-29). 

During the Hungry Ghost Festival, may the Lord enable you to stand firm as a Christian, and to bear a good testimony before unbelievers. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet 3:15).