Jim Tumlinson Supporter One beggar leading others to where the bread is

Yes and no. Some things to remember. We need revelation from God to help us discern if it is an evil spirit. We know they are out there and depending on your biblical training they do posses people and or oppress people. We also know that our bodies do deteriorate over time. There are other factors that may play a role in mental illness such as early childhood abuse, injury etc. I think the most important thing to do when a loved one faces this challenge is focus on getting them help and read your bible which will allow God to encourage you and perhaps give you some insight to what may really be going on. Remember answers don't always come over night

October 25 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Walrus theCat Supporter

It can be. Both physical and mental illness are caused by evil spirits in the Scriptures. Is it exclusively? Certainly not. Neither mental nor physical illness is exclusively caused by evil spirits. Someone's psyche can be weak and broken just like someone's body can be weak and broken, and that for any number of reasons, not the least of which might be entropy.

January 08 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Melanie Spindler Supporter Imperfect Christ-Follower, lover of God, seeker of Truth

Let me say first, I am a physician, an MD that went through psych rotations, have treated patients, have seen the ill-effects of mental health disease. I understand the biochemical basis of depression and anxiety and other mental health disorders. They have very clear organic reasons for occurring, just like cancer or diabetes.

Having said that, as a Christ-follower & someone who has seen the reality of spiritual warfare, I know there’s more to it than that. I know medically-speaking there is a biochemical “glitch in the matrix;” but I often consider that maybe the problem is a spiritual one that manifests as a physical one. Either way, the enemy seeks to hit us where we hurt, where we’re broken, where we struggle, and uses those things against us to make us stumble in any way he can. He can and will use evil spirits to oppress (or possess as Scriptures show) people and cause them to fall into mental illness (or the manifestation of it). He is just that hateful.

So can spirits cause mental illness? Yes, absolutely. Do they always? Probably not, but they’ll use it against you. Some supporting Scripture:
-In his letter to Timothy, Paul is clear that fear and depression can take the form of a quantifiable spirit, and this spirit is not from God. (2 Tim 1:7).
-1 Samuel 6:14 details how God withdrew his Holy Spirit from King Saul and this allowed an evil spirit of fear & depression to torment Saul.
-Daniel 10 details how for 3 weeks, Daniel was mourning and discontent until the angel Gabriel came to him with the word from God. Come to find out Gabriel was engaged in battle with Satan himself over Daniel for those 3 weeks.
-Mark 5 details the story of the demoniac in Gerasenes who lived naked among the tombs outside of town, cut himself, etc, and had Legion (many evil spirits) within.

Remember all physical trials, tests, problems, everything in this world has a root and connection in the spiritual realms. Everything. In Ephesians 6:11-12 we’re directed to put on God's spiritual armor so we can withstand our enemy who uses any and every spiritual weapon to attack us because we fight...against evil spirits in the heavenly realms.

So whether the ailment came first or the spiritual attack came first, the enemy will use it against us. Our best action is to seek God through it, pray for deliverance from it, pray against the spirit of fear/ depression/ mourning/ oppression/ discontent in earnest and believe God's promise that He will give us a crown of beauty and a festive garment of praise rather than despair and mourning (Isaiah 61:3)

July 21 2017 • 5 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Sarah Winn Supporter Christian believer, college graduate + Walmart employee.

I do not think that mental illness is caused by evil spirits. Don't give the devil any more credit than he deserves. This is a mental illness - the devil can NOT get in your brain and mess with your thoughts. For some people, mental illness is a chemical imbalance of the hormones and chemicals that make up your DNA.

July 27 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report