Mental Health and the Church

This is a topic that hits close to home for many people in the Church today. Is mental illness a form of spiritual warfare? Is it something that’s rooted in demonic influence or the enemy’s attacks on our souls? This is a deeply controversial and painful conversation, and it’s one that I can no longer sit idly by while we let harmful beliefs persist.

As a therapist and a follower of Christ, I’ve heard the questions time and time again: Is my depression a demonic attack? Is my anxiety a spiritual battle? Is my trauma a result of sin or spiritual oppression? And I’m going to be very direct here—while spiritual warfare is real and a powerful force in the life of every believer, mental illness is not automatically spiritual in nature.

We must stop blurring the lines between genuine psychological struggles and spiritual matters that require deliverance or healing. Mental illness is not a punishment from God or evidence of demonic oppression. We need to take a hard look at this issue, with both faith and reason, and start offering people the compassion, understanding, and treatment they desperately need—without the added shame and confusion that comes from this harmful teaching.

Spiritual Warfare: A Real Battle

Let’s start with the truth: spiritual warfare is real. The Bible makes it clear that we are in a battle, not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy is real, and he is actively seeking to destroy us, to steal away peace, and to undermine our relationship with God. Satan will do whatever he can to attack our hearts, our minds, and our spirits.

But here's the problem: too many people in the Church are conflating mental health struggles with spiritual warfare. They are treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other psychological disorders as though they are only spiritual problems that require prayer, fasting, or deliverance, rather than addressing them as medical and psychological conditions that may need professional care and intervention.

Yes, spiritual attacks can affect our emotional and mental health, but not every emotional struggle is a result of spiritual oppression. And it’s time we acknowledge this distinction.

Mental Illness is Real—And It’s Not Always Spiritual

Let’s make something clear: mental health issues are not automatically linked to sin or demonic activity. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health disorders have real, tangible causes: genetic factors, chemical imbalances, trauma, stress, and life circumstances. These are not issues that can be “prayed away” any more than a broken arm can be healed through spiritual warfare alone.

I get it—some people feel that if they struggle with their mental health, it’s because they’ve “opened a door” to the enemy, that they’ve somehow given the devil a foothold. But this belief is rooted in fear and shame, not truth. There are many factors at play when it comes to mental health, and the enemy will absolutely try to exploit those vulnerabilities, but mental illness is not always a result of sin or spiritual failure.

We cannot keep telling people that their suffering is a result of their own lack of faith, or that their psychological pain is the result of demonic oppression. This approach does more harm than good. It creates a culture of shame, guilt, and fear in the Church that keeps people from seeking help. God has equipped us with the wisdom and tools to heal—psychological support, therapy, medication, and emotional care can all be parts of the healing process.

The Distinction Between Spiritual Warfare and Psychological Disorders

Let’s consider this: spiritual warfare is about our identity and relationship with God. It’s about fighting the lies of the enemy, battling against discouragement, doubt, and fear. The enemy wants to break our connection to God, to confuse us, and to plant seeds of distrust.

But mental illness is not a battle over our spiritual identity—it’s an emotional and psychological condition that can occur due to any number of factors, including biology, environment, or past trauma. It can deeply affect how we see the world, how we process emotions, and how we relate to others. It is not the same as a spiritual attack.

I’m not saying that the enemy can’t use mental health struggles to his advantage. Of course, he can. He will try to twist our thoughts, magnify our fears, and plant seeds of hopelessness. But to say that depression is always spiritual oppression is dangerous and unfair. We cannot dismiss the need for professional care in favor of only seeking spiritual intervention.

The Importance of Seeking Help: Healing Is Holistic

God’s heart is for our healing—body, mind, and spirit. The Church must recognize that healing is a holistic process. Yes, we need prayer. Yes, we need the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver us from sin, fear, and doubt. But we also may need therapy, counseling, medication, and emotional support. God works through both spiritual and practical means.

I’ve seen firsthand how Christians who are struggling with mental illness often feel stuck between two worlds: they don’t feel understood by the secular world, and they don’t feel supported by their church communities. They’re stuck in a cycle of shame—if they seek therapy or medication, they feel like they’re not trusting God. If they seek prayer, they feel like they’re ignoring the need for professional care.

This is where the Church needs to step in and offer balance. We need to stop telling people that they must choose between faith and therapy, between prayer and medication. Both can coexist. God’s power can work through both His Word and His created order—through either doctors or therapists.

What Scripture Says About Mental Health and Healing

Let’s take a moment to look at the Word. Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18). He cared about our emotional pain. He didn’t just heal physical ailments—He healed spiritual and emotional wounds as well. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

God’s healing power is not just for spiritual oppression, but for all forms of brokenness. If we have a broken arm, we don’t hesitate to go to a doctor, right? The same is true for our mental and emotional health. God gave us the tools of modern medicine, psychology, and therapy to help us walk through the difficult seasons of life.

Clarity and Compassion

I am calling the Church to be more compassionate and clear in this area. We need to recognize the difference between spiritual warfare and mental illness, and stop shaming those who need professional help. Yes, pray for healing. Yes, seek spiritual support. But also, seek out the resources God has provided in the medical and therapeutic fields.

Mental illness is not a sign of spiritual failure. It is a part of the broken world we live in, but it does not define our relationship with God. Don’t let the enemy twist your mind into believing you are less loved or less worthy of healing because of your struggles. God sees you. He knows your pain. And He is healing you—through His Spirit, through His Word, and through the wisdom He has placed in the world around us.

Healing is possible. It’s a journey, but it’s one we do not walk alone. And whether through spiritual warfare or psychological support, God is with us every step of the way.