The bible teaches us that there are two planes of existence. The spiritual and physical world. It says the spiritual is permanent and the physical is temporary. Our world is just a pale copy of the permanent world. (see 1 John 2:17-19; 2 Corinthians 4:18).

Within that spiritual world are many creatures-both good and bad. Most of them cannot be compared to any creature in the natural world.  Some of these creatures are from heaven. They are on the side of good. They are there to help us and do the will of God (Hebrews 1:14). The ones that mean us no good will do everything to harm us, in every way imaginable. (John 10:10; Ephesians 6:12-18)

The world may not know this fact. We do. As we discuss the impact of COVID-19, current high inflation, food shortage and global turmoil let us consider that some of the drastic increases in mental illness are not just natural. As people become weak from the health and economic problems they face the Devil will exploit that opportunity.  He will afflict people in their mind. 

I know we will be ridiculed for believing there is a demonic realm that contributes to mental illness. Nevertheless let us not cower from acknowledging this fact. Jesus faced many instances of mental illness caused by demonic possession during his ministry. While we may think we have become too sophisticated and modern for it to exist that does not stop it from being a reality. Evil has always existed. Our failure to present solutions as a unified body of believers have led many to turn to occult practises for solutions. There has been a tremendous surge in the practise of witchcraft among millennials and many in the western world. People are turning to corrupt sources for answers. As long as we sit on the sidelines or engage in needless debates they will continue to seek out these sources for release from their problems.

The solution ultimately lies in Jesus. Helping people involves boldly embracing the ministry of deliverance. I am not talking about the theatrics we see on display very often on social media. I am talking about using the Word and power of God to bring spiritual healing to the tortured mind and souls (Luke 4:18-20). 

Jesus commissioned us to cast out demons. When you  encounter this negative influence, do not counsel. Cast it out! (Mark 16:15-18). Now please understand that not all mental illnesses are demonic. Some are natural. That can still be resolved when we choose to act to bring relief to the tortured soul. After freeing the person we may then proceed with counseling and the necessary rehabilitation effort.

People of the jury may I submit evidence #1:

The painting below was created by artist Ovartaci. A self-taught artist born Louis Marcussen (1894–1985) in the city of Risskov, Denmark . It depicts his view of the main building of the psychiatric hospital where he resided for 56 years; until his death at age 91. This is but one of the numerous art pieces he created that signaled he was seeing more than the natural.

Those of us who have had spiritual encounters have witnessed a very similar scenes as the image Ovartaci created.

Saints please let us not ignore the ministry of deliverance. This important aspect of spiritual healing is needed now. Let us thrive to give the afflicted dignity and not demean or belittle them in the process of freeing them. Just choosing to act may save the lives of many others. It may just stop someone from going on a lethal rampage….

PS. Please research art by mentally ill patients and study what the Bible says about casting out demonic spirits.

PSS. A friend who is a medical doctor told me that when she did her rounds in the psychiatric wards she found that most of the people there were demon possessed.