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How can we tell if psychological disorders are satanic attacks?

How can we tell if psychological disorders are satanic attacks?
Fall Apologetics Worldview

TL;DR:

The Bible doesn’t give us a way to label psychological disorders as satanic attacks, so we shouldn’t claim what Scripture doesn’t say. Take psychological struggles seriously, seek appropriate help, pray, stay rooted in God’s Word, and remember that Satan is real—but God is greater.

what does the bible say?

The Bible provides no criteria for determining whether a psychological disorder is linked to a demonic attack. And there is some connection between the two. However, the Bible does show that Satan is limited in what he can do, especially concerning Christians. The Bible teaches that Satan influences and attacks even believers. Job, David, and Peter are examples of this (Job 1:9-12, 2:4-6; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Matthew 16:23). However, believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so they cannot be demon-possessed (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Unbelievers, though, have no protection (Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 11:24-26). Scripture shows how Satan attacks people by giving them physical ailments, such as muteness, blindness, and other crippling physical deformities (Matthew 9:32-33, 12:22, Mark 9:20-29; Luke 13:11-16).  Satan can also influence behavior. Chapter five of Mark recounts the unusual behavior (yelling and cutting himself) of a man in Gerasene who was possessed by demons (Mark 5:5), which shows that demons can cause abnormal behavior. God has not left believers vulnerable to satanic attacks but gives us all we need to defeat Satan (Ephesians 6:10-19; James 4:7).

from the old testament

  • Though the Old Testament doesn't provide insight into whether a psychological disorder is a Satanic attack, it shows that Satan can tempt believers, as he did to Eve and David (Genesis 3:1-6; 1 Chronicles 21:1).
  • Scripture also indicates that Satan can attack believers—as is the case of Job— but that God restrains what Satan can do to His people (Job 1:9-12, 2:4-6).

from the new testament

  • The New Testament doesn't provide information to determine whether psychological disorders are linked to demonic attacks. But Scripture links some physical ailments and some abnormal behavior to demonic possession. Jesus healed several people who were mute by expelling demons (Matthew 9:32-33, 12:22; Mark 9:20-29). He also healed a woman who "could not fully straighten herself" because, as Jesus said, "Satan bound [her] for eighteen years" (Luke 13:11-16).
  • The account of the Gerasene demoniac in Mark 5 shows that abnormal behavior can indicate demonic possession. Before Jesus healed the man by expelling demons from him, "he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones" (Mark 5:5).
  • Believers, however, cannot be demon-possessed. Paul calls Satan the "god of this world," and the apostle John says, "he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 4:4).
  • Satan has "blinded the minds of the unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 4:4; emphasis added) but cannot possess believers because they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Thus, a true believer's psychological disorder cannot be caused by demon possession.
  • But Satan can attack and influence Christians. Peter warned fellow believers, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Peter himself had been influenced by Satan, so perhaps he remembered that as he wrote those words (Matthew 16:23).
  • Believers can defeat satanic attacks by "[p]ut[ting] on the whole armor of God . . . to stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11) and resisting the Devil (James 4:7).  Unlike believers, unbelievers do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit, so they have no protection against demons (Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 11:24-26)

implications for today

There's something so satisfying about pulling a vine until you get to the root of it. Actually, getting to the root of any problem feels good, too. Modern psychoanalysis purports to get to the root of patients' psychological problems. They scoff at the suggestion of demonic forces influencing human behavior.

But the Bible tells us that Satan and his demons exist and that they seek our destruction. Does this mean that psychological disorders are caused by demons? We can't say. It's not implausible since Satan can cause physical ailments and abnormal behavior. But believers should never shout where the Bible is silent. Since the Bible doesn't tell us whether demonic attacks cause psychological disorders, we should use the medical means at our disposal to address psychological disorders in addition to praying for God's help.

And we should practice spiritual disciplines—daily Bible reading, fellowship with believers, frequent prayer—that help us grow closer to God, the greatest Healer.

understand

  • The Bible doesn't provide criteria to determine whether a psychological attack is caused by demon possession.
  • Demonic possession of unbelievers can be connected to physical ailments and even abnormal behavior.
  • Satan can attack and influence all people, but God restrains what he can do to believers and provides all that His people need to resist Satan.

reflect

  • What is your first line of defense when you feel spiritually attacked?
  • What spiritual disciplines help you to "resist the Devil" (James 4:7)?
  • How do you help other believers who are experiencing psychological distress?

engage

  • How can we help believers who are undergoing psychological issues?
  • How can believers support one another in resisting satanic influences around us?
  • How can we take both the medical and spiritual sides of psychological disorders seriously?

More Resources

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