Spiritual Warfare and Mental Illness
“Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.” Matthew 4:11 (ESV)
Many of us have reassurance that “God can handle our questions and doubts.” Today, I’ll share one of mine that surfaced a few years back. This devotion may be challenging to read and process, just as it was for me to write, but growth often comes from wrestling with difficult thoughts.
I hesitated to share, fearing I may misinterpret God's word or lead anyone astray from His written truth, which I hold dear. However, I believe the Lord placed this within my heart. In the quiet early morning hours, I suddenly woke at 4:11 am with a compelling need to share what has been stirring in my heart. So, here I am, after humbly praying and seeking God's guidance to raise awareness.
Spiritual warfare is real. The devil is actively working to harm us, those we love, and all God's followers. (John 10:10)
While most of us know of someone who has taken their own life, this level of desperation can be hard to understand. Do you realize there are many who intensely contemplate suicide regularly?
We’ve all faced temptations of different types, some rather insignificant and others life-altering. Temptation is all around us, and the Bible teaches how to overcome impulses that lead us away from God. For further reading see: Luke 22:40, Mathew 6:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Timothy 6:9
The question I pose today may sound bizarre. Could Satan have been tempting Jesus to attempt suicide when he said, “Throw yourself down,” and how can we respond to such intense temptation? Hold on! Before you stop reading, follow what scripture tells us in Matthew 4:1-11:
◆ Jesus was in the desert and had fasted for 40 days
◆ The tempter came to him
◆ The devil took Jesus to the holy city
◆ They stood on the highest point of the temple
◆ The devil misused Scripture to tempt Jesus
◆ He was tempted to jump from that temple
As Hebrews 4:15 tells us, Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, was tempted like we are because Jesus lived here in human form. It’s important to remember his human form when considering:
The devil tempted Jesus physically, physiologically, and emotionally.
The highest point of the temple was enough for a human to die should they jump.
The devil used God’s word to tempt Jesus
While this passage is somewhat unclear for me, I have learned to accept trusting God’s written word even when I have questions. One thing I am certain of, through studying God’s word and my own experience, is that the devil himself plays a large role in mental illness, sometimes even leading to suicide.
The second thing I know is that we can overcome temptation, and God will send comfort our way, whether by angels or some other form. The Message translation states: “Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.” Other versions describe this time as “immediately angels came and began to serve Him” (Holman Christian Standard Bible), “angels came and attended to Him” (NIV) and helped Him” (Good News Translation).
Through reading the entire story in Mathew chapter 4, we see Jesus shows us that God's word is effective to aid in the battle of darkness we may face. As he continued to recite scripture to Satan - Satan flees from Jesus. Scripture is a tool for us to use.
I am not a mental health expert, and I acknowledge medical professionals are necessary to navigate one’s journey through mental illness and its challenges. Treatment of mental health is very complicated and often requires a holistic approach for healing. I support those taking medications. I believe counseling is vital, and support systems are helpful. My experience has shown me that prayer is effective, and God’s word brings strength and promise. Prayer is an effective weapon for combating spiritual warfare, particularly for those supporting loved ones who are struggling. During the early years of our mental illness journey, I developed a wholehearted habit of prayer. This practice of prayer taught me so much about God, myself, and how to persevere through some of the adversity before us. My heart and soul were nurtured by God in ways that are supernatural. Jay and I began praying together, holding hands, and I believe it sustained us through some challenging times.
I need God’s power for any battle with the enemy. To stay grounded, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, spend time in God’s word, and be mindful of the reality that the devil exists and hates us. Ephesians 6:12 tells us we wrestle with a power of darkness and wickedness.
Therefore, it was necessary for Him to be made in every respect like us, His brothers and sisters, so that He could be our merciful and faithful high priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested. Hebrews; 3:17-18
Would you pray this with me?
Dear Father,
You alone have all the answers to our questions, and we trust it is ok to raise questions with You. May we be brave enough to bring you our darkest questions or unspoken fears? Help us, give us understanding, and send comfort to us when we need it most. Your word promises both Your faithfulness and power. We trust, even though temptation may be overwhelming, You will provide a way out of our temptations. (1 Corinthians 10:13) and in that we place our hope. Give us courage to share with a friend our temptations so we don't have to walk alone. Jesus, Oh Lord, thank You for leaving heaven to save us, without that we would be doomed. In the power of Jesus's name I pray for each one reading this today. AMEN
If this has caused you to ponder temptation, spiritual warfare, or more importantly, Jesus in a new perspective, I would love to hear from you.