My friend believes that mental health issues are actually demons plaguing people. He says the Greek word for demon does not mean that the demon controls or possesses the person. Is he right?

“He’s wrestling with his demons.” When most people say that, they are not actually ascribing that person’s struggles to the work of demons. Demons can tempt people, and in what seem to be rare cases, can possess people. We see in Scripture that this can manifest itself in various maladies.

In the preface to The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis wrote, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to dis- believe in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” The latter extreme seems to be where your friend falls.

Your friend’s use of the Greek word daemon is not really accurate. Outside of the Bible’s usage of the term, the word daemon refers to lesser evil deities, specifically what we think of as demons in the New Testament. The verb forms of daemon mean to be possessed by demons.

Demon possession in Jesus’ day

Roughly two dozen healing miracles are listed in the four gospels. Of those, less than a third are ascribed to demon possession. In fact, the Bible differentiates between diseases and demon possession when it lists the people brought to Jesus. Matthew 4:24 states, “People brought to [Jesus] all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.”

Though demons appear to be able to manifest themselves in various ways in people, there seem to be common traits evident in the gospels. Those with demons often have a personality change, demonstrate physical violence, and showcase superhuman strength. Most important, they have a hatred and contempt for Christ. Most who suffer from mental health issues do not exhibit these traits.

The danger of ascribing all mental health issues to demons

You mentioned that your friend thinks those with mental illness need to be delivered by prayer since they are being plagued by demons. Indeed, we pray “Deliver us from evil” whenever we pray the Lord’s Prayer. And the Lord answers that prayer! However, to say that Jesus will remove the illness simply because one prays is spiritually dangerous. Additionally, from a logical standpoint, medication can help a person struggling with mental illness. Why would medication affect a demon who is a spirit? The devil is overcome by the Word of God, not a combination of chemicals.

Instead, the challenges we face result from living in a sinful world. The devil uses those challenges to create doubt in the heart. When the apostle Paul had his “thorn in the flesh,” he called it a “messenger of Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:7). When we face challenges, there will always be two “messages” attached, one from God and one from Satan. Satan will try to whisper, “See, God doesn’t love you,” but God’s message is “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

God does not always remove challenges, including mental health struggles. The danger in thinking one always can pray away mental health issues is that Scripture doesn’t promise that. What if the deliverance doesn’t work? It leaves people either blaming God for not delivering them or looking at themselves as if they are doing something wrong.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Ask a question at forwardinchrist.net/submit.

Angels watching over me

Do you have an angel story? That’s a story where the only explanation seems to be that God used his angels to protect you. I’ve asked that opening question of multiple groups, and it always astounds me how many of the stories have to do with motor vehicles. I wonder if God gathered all of the angels together for a meeting at the turn of the 20th century and said, “Okay, guys, you’re going to be putting in some overtime from here on out!”

What’s your angel story? Share it with others if you’re in a group setting. 

Who angels are

Angels are fascinating! They have superior wisdom from God, but they can increase that wisdom. When describing how the Old Testament prophets searched intently for information about the coming Messiah, Peter wrote, “Even angels long to look into these things” (1 Peter 1:12). Angels love to learn. I wonder how many angels worship with us, searching the Scriptures with us! Angels also have superhuman power (see Psalm 103:20).

Read 2 Kings 6:8-23 and Luke 2:8-15.

List some attributes of angels.

What impresses you most about angels? Why?

What angels do

The perfect devotion of the angels to God and his will is remarkable. From the creation of the world, they live to serve Jesus.

But then, for a time, the angels’ role changed. They could only watch. When Jesus was arrested, he rebuked Peter, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53). Imagine 72,000 mighty spirits chomping at the bit to intervene in Jesus’ defense, but the legions were idle. You can almost picture them at the cross, straining to come to Jesus’ aid, but the Father’s hand held them back.

The perfect devotion of the angels to God and his will is remarkable.

Why did the Father do that? He did it so that his care for you would never be held back. He did it so that with Jesus and the armies of heaven at your side in your every battle you would never be left alone! You may not know your angel stories, but make no mistake, you have them. God himself promised, “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).

Read the passages below that describe the work of the angels. Identify what angels do to determine some of the reasons God created angels.

• Isaiah 6:1-4
• Luke 1:26-28
• Acts 12:23
• Psalm 34:7
• Luke 15:7,10
• Luke 16:22; Matthew 24:31

Author: David Scharf
Volume 112, Number 07
Issue: July 2025