Demonic possession is intriguing and I would argue starts subtly. Something sounds like a good idea and over time this something grows to displace my common sense, morality, relationships, career, etc. to the point I no longer care about any of these things.
My mind, body and spirit are overtaken by the demon and I have become powerless over it.
Last week, I suggested that prayer will banish my demons. But what should I do when its my loved one who is possessed by one or more demons? Here’s an example from today’s Gospel reading. Jesus has just stepped off a boat in the land of Gerasenes when:
Healing of the Demon Possessed via Wikipedia
a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him.
The man had been dwelling among the tombs,
and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain.
In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains,
but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed,
and no one was strong enough to subdue him.
Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides
he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones.
“Unclean spirit” is the biblical term for what modern medicine would call mental illness. Although the Church holds (through scripture) that there are cases of actual demonic possession, it urges that it should not be misdiagnosed as a mental illness. In other words, people in biblical times that were described as possessed were likely suffering from one or more mental illnesses.
The National Institute of Mental Health “found that an astonishing 46 percent (of Americans) met criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association for having had at least one mental illness” at some time in their lives.
Rather than argue about the ever-expanding of the APA definition of mental illness (300% increase in the number of described mental illnesses over the past 50 years), I would like to echo the assertion by Dr. Carl Hammerschlag in his incredible book called Theft of the Spirit. Based on of 35 years of healing experience, he believes that spiritual illness manifests itself in mental illness. He learned that to eliminate mental illness requires healing of the spirit.
So, it could be that the APA slowly hones in on diagnosing the varied manifestations of spiritual suffering. Certainly the description of the Gerasene Demoniac sounds like someone in a bad way, spiritually. Jesus responds to this man’s suffering:
”Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”
Since we do not have the power of Jesus to drive out unclean spirits, what can we do to drive out unclean spirits from our loved ones?
When a loved one’s spirit is damaged, it may be difficult to have patience and compassion. It may be hard to see the world through the eyes of the loved one. It may be easier to blame them, rather than love them. It may be easier to chastise the spiritually-damaged person, urging them to ‘shape up or ship out’. It may be too hard to support them and encourage them to identify resources that will lead to spiritual healing.
Is it possible that through prayers of healing, that the loved one will heal? More importantly, is it possible that through prayers of healing, the caregiver(s) will change their hearts? Is it possible to accept or change the circumstances that led to the spiritual illness? Is it possible that spiritual damage happens all of the time and we do not even notice it?
If your loved ones suffer from a spiritual disease, perhaps consider asking for the intercession of Saint Dymphna – the patron saint of mental illness.
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You might also like these related posts from cinhosa:
How to banish your demons
Question authority
What everybody ought to know about the family of Jesus
7 Quick Takes Friday (#2)
Today we remember Saint Hyacintha of Mariscotti
“My Name is Legion” The Story and Soul of the Gerasene Demoniac (litpress.org)
Related articles
- “Tell them how much the Lord has done for you” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
Tagged: Catholic, Christianity, faith, Protestant, religion, spiritual health
You have so much wisdom–that is something gained by experience, not just book knowledge. You love God and He loves you back. And you walk in that love. May we all learn that patience, even with ourselves. That is where I fail most. Thanks for sharing.
Richard,
Thank you for reading and commenting. As my boss once told me after a particularly trying episode at work: Congratulations, Jeff! You earned your first PhD in the School of Hard Knocks. I have a couple more from other areas of my life. Thanks be to God for the gift of knowledge and wisdom from the scriptures and the grace to think about them in our daily lives.
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I really enjoy that your not afraid to tackle the tuff stuff. In my home we have a three pronged approach to healing. First, we pray and intercede for each other, this would include healing prayer and spiritual warfare stuff. Many times things end there. If not, we take a aspirin. Finally, if it rages on and we have done all we can, we continue to pray and seek professional “Godly” counsel. I have found to overcome demons we must take care of our spirit, our body and our hearts. Also, there are several examples of Jesus sending his disciples out to do this sort of work. He rejoiced at their success! (Luke 10:18) So much breakthrough is available if we learn to treat the whole person. And to your point, there should never be any shame in addressing serious mental issues with the help of the medical community. Great post..AGAIN…my friend.
Mark,
thank you for your incredible words of strength and encouragement! Whole-person treatment is what Dr. Hammerschlag suggests in his practice. I’ll offer another suggestion, courtesy of author John Steinbeck:
“It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.”
When I was younger and feeling troubled, I would worry, stay up late, and try to overcome this obstacle alone. I realized that I can now offer it to God through prayer and receive the blessing of sleep and rest. In the light of day, things usually are less dire.
†
I would like to suggest that it is also our duty not to chide or make ‘under the breath’ remarks at checkout lines etc. when we see a parent with a child causing a commotion. Many times I have seen parents of children with Autism or other conditions have to suffer public riddicule…Thank you for you educational/inspirational posts.
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Hey everyone, I wanted to see what you think. My boyfriend has been having strange things happen in his home. Things making weird noises when there should be no reason for him, candle flames reacting, and other things I could second guess and possibly find another reason for. Last night, I woke up because was being choked by my boyfriend. I got him and removed his hand. He was clearly asleep, I can tell because of his breathing and body. I woke him up and told him, he was still half asleep and said sorry and turned his body away from me so he was on his stomach and his hands wouldn’t be close to me. I know he would never ever hurt me when he is conscious. I decided to fall asleep again and not think too much of it. I woke up again shortly after with pressure on my neck again, This time his had was like in a chop position and strong pressure on my neck. I woke him up completely this time, i knew he would initially be half asleep so i kept nudging him and talking to him where he finally woke up. He couldn’t remember anything at all, even me waking him up before.Needless to say I had trouble getting back to sleep and am doubting whether I should be there with him anymore. I completely believe it wasn’t him but something that made him do it. And I have never been a believer of ghost, demons, anything like that. What should I do? Should I walk away from my relationship? How can I help him? I’m afraid for him too.
I have an immediate thought, just from the way you wrote your question–are you living and bedding with your boyfriend? It sounds like perhaps you are. I realize that is very personal but from your comment it would sound as though you are with him at times when you really should not be. That in itself can open the door to demonic activity. Now that is not to say that he or you are POSSESSED as such, not at all, but rather habitual sin can cause us to have less protection to fight against this enemy of our souls and bodies.
So if there is sexual activity outside of a sacramental marriage, you are mixing your spirits and flesh together in a way that God did not ever intend. And at very least that part must be walked away from immediately. Then see if those experiences cease. If they do not, an in-depth discussion with a priest would be in order. But first and foremost, for both of you, would be clear repentance and confession of any sexual immorality between you and he.
You are both being warned and admonished by these experiences to look into your own hearts, each of you, and if you do not do so, one of even both of you would continue being subject to demonic activity which can only get worse.
God bless and may He give you the strength to be obedient. Most of us reading this know it is not easy. But He will help you through this if you allow Him to. Peace to both of you.
What can you do for you?
I think you should take a break from sleeping together. That is definitely unusual behavior and for your own safety, you need to protect yourself.
What can you do for him?
Pray for him. In particular, I like this prayer:
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.