Have you ever felt lost in a labyrinth of questions concerning mental health and the demonic? Or what is demonically real or a hoax? The Baptist Deliverance Study Group (BDSG) frequently grapples with complex questions. How do we differentiate between mental health issues and what may be a demonic influence? This distinction is crucial, especially when both overlap in ‘hybrid cases’. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’ To truly understand what a person is experiencing, it’s vital to collaborate with medical specialists and even related professionals such as anthropologists. These experts provide invaluable insights into the nuanced realities of an individual’s life.
In a multicultural society, like Britain, understanding a person’s worldview is paramount. Consider a general practitioner with a patient suffering from gastroenteritis. While the medical diagnosis is clear, the patient might firmly believe that their illness was ‘sent’ to them through black magic and that a demon, not an organic cause, is at the root of their problem. This highlights the importance of cultural context in diagnosis and treatment.
Discerning Demonic Manifestations
While both mental health and demonic issues can present confusing symptoms, there are often subtle, yet significant, differences in how individuals respond to certain situations. As 1 John 4:1 advises, ‘Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.’ This call to careful discernment is at the heart of our work.
When a demonic case is at play, the individual often becomes extremely agitated when attending a church service or being in the presence of praying people. Conversely, someone struggling with a mental health issue tends to quieten down and find a sense of calm when receiving prayer.
Here are some common symptoms that may indicate a demonic presence:
- Speaking in Unknown Tongues: The individual may speak in strange, unknown languages, some of which might even be ancient and no longer spoken today. Biblical glossolalia originates directly from the Holy Spirit and is a genuine gift from God. Its purpose is to edify believers, facilitate worship, and, when interpreted, serve as a sign for unbelievers, always leading to the glorification of God and the building up of the body of the church. It produces the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) and is characterized by order and control.
In contrast, demonic tongues are a counterfeit. They do not originate from the Holy Spirit but from an unholy, deceptive spirit or a demon. These counterfeit manifestations create confusion, draw attention to the individual rather than God, and ultimately lead people away from sound doctrine. They will never lead to genuine spiritual edification or produce the true fruit of the Spirit. Instead, you’ll find them associated with pride, division, fear, manipulation, and other ungodly displays, ultimately discrediting God and His Word.
- Supernatural Knowledge: They may possess supernatural knowledge and insight, becoming privy to information they couldn’t have known otherwise. This can extend to knowing private and confidential details about you that no one else knows – a strong indicator that a demonic spirit is at work.
- Aversion to Godly Things: A clear sign of an unclean spirit is an intense aversion to anything associated with God. Individuals with demonic influence may only tolerate a short time in a church service and often feel compelled to leave before the preaching of God’s Word. They might even cause a disturbance during the sermon or react with anger and agitation when the names of Jesus, God the Father, or the Holy Spirit are mentioned, potentially resorting to blasphemy, cursing, or making noises, such as hissing, howling, chirping, or growling.
- Supernatural Abilities: In some extreme cases, individuals may exhibit supernatural abilities, such as incredible strength (a small person lifting multiple heavy individuals) or bizarre physical manifestations like the victim’s jaw dislocating and protruding forward (dislocation of the jaw) or being physically pulled up a wall. These manifestations are responses that defy the laws of science and nature, pointing to something from the spirit realm.
The famous fictional character Sherlock Holmes once said, ‘How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?’ Before conclusions are drawn, it is paramount to investigate every natural means possible to rule out all non-demonic explanations.
The Dangers of Misdiagnosis
It’s a serious concern when someone with a mental health issue becomes the victim of an overzealous exorcist rushing to cast out demons when none are present. Such a misdiagnosis can lead to significant psychological problems, especially if the person already has a strong spiritual worldview. Putting an individual on a path of spiritual deliverance when a course of anti-psychotics might be what they truly need can be incredibly damaging. In worst-case scenarios, misdiagnosis can lead to spiritual, emotional, and sometimes financial abuse by spiritual healers and pastors, echoing the biblical warnings against those who would exploit God’s people (e.g., Matthew 7:15
When misdiagnosis and bad practice occur, reputational damage is the result. This can be devastating, resulting in bad press and financial and legal claims against pastors, churches, denominations, and networks.
The infamous case of David Berkowitz, the ‘Son of Sam’(1) killer, offers a complex historical example of this very tension. Initially, Berkowitz claimed a demonic dog commanded his horrific acts, and he was subsequently diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. However, decades later in prison, he announced a profound spiritual conversion to Christianity, claiming he is no longer mentally ill and works as a mentor to other inmates. This raises crucial questions about the potential for spiritual transformation within the context of severe mental illness and the ongoing debate over whether his original claims were genuine delusions or a manipulation of spiritual beliefs. Hence, the “Labyrinth” Continues: The Berkowitz case perfectly encapsulates the “labyrinth” that The BDSG seeks to navigate. It doesn’t offer easy answers but pushes for deeper theological reflection on suffering, evil, redemption, and the intricate relationship between the spiritual and the psychological. David Berkowitz’s conversion to Christianity is wonderful news, but we do not claim healing for every paranoid schizophrenic through conversion to Christianity alone.
The Role of Compassionate Pastoral Care
A basic understanding of mental health can prevent immense pain and suffering. For instance, a person seeking prayer for a severe case of Tourette’s, exhibiting symptoms like shouting, stiffening, throat clearing, animal sounds, coughing, eye blinking, grimacing, jerking, and falling to the floor, does not automatically indicate demonic possession. A neurological problem affecting the brain and nervous system may be the underlying cause. Modern medicine offers solutions, such as brain stimulation surgery, which Professor Peter Siloburn has successfully performed in Australia to alleviate Tourette’s symptoms. God has blessed us with the gift of modern medicine and the discernment of spirits, for ‘God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power of love and of a sound mind’ (2 Timothy 1:7).
Asking a person struggling with mental health issues to undergo a medical check-up is not a lack of faith; it is an act of good pastoral care. As 3 John 1:2 states, ‘Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.’ We, as Christian pastors/counsellors, must consider the whole person – body, soul, and spirit – as we navigate through the complex labyrinth of people’s lives, in prayer counselling, the battles of the flesh, the world, and the devil, to find a way forward to freedom. As Christian counsellor and professor Brad Hambrick wisely puts it:
People are both sinners and sufferers. People do not have to be taught to sin and have instincts towards their demise. People also have bodies that malfunction in ways that affect their emotions and live in relational systems with other sinners, which makes it difficult to live wholesome lives. (2)
Deliverance, when appropriate, is an integral part of good pastoral care, contributing to the healing and wholeness of the individual whilst offering sound spiritual and practical direction, aligning with the desire for our ‘whole spirit, soul and body [to] be kept blameless’ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Conclusion
Discerning the precise nature of a person’s struggles, whether rooted in mental health, demonic influence, or a complex overlap that demands careful consideration, professional collaboration, deep compassion, and time. At BDSG, our commitment is to approach each person holistically, honoring the truth of both spiritual warfare and the realities of human physiology and psychology. By combining biblical wisdom, the gifts of modern medicine, and the insights of various disciplines, we strive to offer truly effective and compassionate care. Our ultimate goal is to lead individuals towards wholeness, ensuring they receive the most appropriate support for their body, soul, and spirit, avoiding the pitfalls of misdiagnosis and promoting genuine healing and freedom.
Footnotes
1) Written by a Christian: ‘From Son of Sam to Son of Hope’ by RoxAnne Tauriello. Written by a non-Christian. ‘The Ultimate Evil: The Search for The Sons Of Sam’ by Maury Terry
2) Brad Hambrick’s article on Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Psychiatry Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Psychiatry | Brad Hambrick
