Is there something demonic about OCD?

[Lik3]

I was reading through a religious website about OCD and the belief is that it is caused by a demon spirit. Is that posible that all sickness or mental or emotional problem has some demonic origin? Why doesn't God just heal me of OCD? Could it be that the person who created the religious website is wrong? I feel like sometimes that OCD plays mindtricks on me which I am sure is common.

 

[brknhrt]

I'm not sure anyone can answer this except with opinions, not science. The brain is so complicated that the most learned doctors can't understand everything about it. A Christian can't be demon possessed, but can be demon oppressed. Personally, and it is just a non-medical opinion, it is just something that goes wrong in the brain. Sort of like a short-circuit. Since there are drugs that can help control it, I think that is a safe assumption. That doesn't mean that prayer can't also help though.

 

[Ignotum]

As an OCD sufferer myself (I've had it for thirty years), I believe that it's not necessarily an either-or proposition. After observing my own OCD and how it manifests, I do believe that it is fundamentally a spiritual problem --- that it is a mild form of demonisation (the word 'possession' is an unfortunate translation, and implies complete ownership of a person --- better translations simply say that someone "has an unclean spirit", i.e. an unclean spirit has somehow attached itself to them).

There are proof-texts which people use to argue that a Christian can never have an unclean spirit (e.g. 1 John 4:4), but they are far from conclusive, and there are testimonies from genuine Bible-believers who have been delivered of such spirits. ...Again, the picture is that these spirits do not own a believer --- all believers belong to Jesus --- but they have sort-of set up home with the believer. If one acknowledges that Jesus did indeed cast out demons, and that hence there is a demonic realm (an idea which of course the medical mainstream would laugh to scorn), it is only natural to conclude that we may ourselves encounter these things, just as Jesus and the Apostles did, and that they will almost certainly be causing significant problems as they were in His day. So yes, I'd say it's not unreasonable at all to believe that things like OCD (and its relative, Tourette's Syndrome) are associated with demonic activity.

...However, that's not to totally reject the orthodox scientific view. It may be that some physiological defect in the brain (e.g. a problem with brain chemistry) acts so as to render it susceptible to spiritual interference from these entities. The previous poster said, "Since there are drugs that can help control it, I think that is a safe assumption" --- the assumption is not safe, though, since as I say, it's not necessarily a case of either-or! If drugs do help, then it may simply mean they're temporarily "shutting the gate" chemically, so that these spiritual forces cannot "get in". ...But this of course does not mean that the obsessions and compulsions themselves are not spiritual in origin.

I'd also like to add a warning. The drugs which are used to treat OCD are prescription psychotropics --- commonly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) --- and though some people have reported experiencing a measure of relief with them, personally I wouldn't touch them even if you paid me to. Psychiatric medicine is still very primitive and sadly has a chequered track record, to say the least. There's a documentary on YouTube called The Marketing of Madness, and it's sobering viewing --- it's three hours long, but if you just watch the first five or ten minutes, it'll give you some serious food for thought.

As for why God doesn't simply heal you of OCD, that's a difficult one --- and something I've asked over and over myself. ...But even as Christians, we still have trials in this life (it sounds as though even the Apostle Paul had something similar to deal with: see 2 Corinthians 12:7). I guess we must just trust God, and trust that He knows what He's doing!

I hope that this has helped in some way, and I pray that you find some relief...

 

[gracealone]

Hi Lik, Focusing on this kind of thing rather than who God is can be extremely counterproductive to managing OCD. I only say that because years and years ago that's how it affected me. Satan, sin, etc. definitely have had a negative impact on the whole of creation with death being the pinnacle of it's effect. But God has provided the way for us to be conquerors IN all of these things.
I like to follow the example of the apostle Paul in regard to his affliction. He referred to it as, "a messenger of Satan sent to torment me". He asked God to remove it on three seperate occasions but God told him; "My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in your weakness." So Paul chose to focus on God's power and sufficiency and didn't bother about Satan at all. The focus must shift to who God is - to us, for us, in us and through us. Paul did this and in doing so he actually began to see how God could use the affliction to teach him to rely on God's strength and power rather than his own. The affliction kept him humble and dependant and pressed him to fly to Christ on a daily basis. And this was a good thing. So he ends up saying.. "I will therefore glory in my affliction in order that the power of Christ may rest more fully upon me for when I am weak I am strong." It's all about our focus... will we cower in fear over Satan who has already been defeated at the cross or will we look at Christ and acknowledge all that he has done for us and is still doing.
I suppose that Satan is pleased when he gets more attention than Christ and therefore I refuse to make much of him. In comparison to the King and creator of the universe he's an insignificant entity.
This is what has helped me.
Mitzi

I was reading through a religious website about OCD and the belief is that it is caused by a demon spirit. Is that posible that all sickness or mental or emotional problem has some demonic origin? Why doesn't God just heal me of OCD? Could it be that the person who created the religious website is wrong? I feel like sometimes that OCD plays mindtricks on me which I am sure is common.

 

[deeproots]

Hi Lik, Focusing on this kind of thing rather than who God is can be extremely counterproductive to managing OCD. I only say that because years and years ago that's how it affected me. Satan, sin, etc. definitely have had a negative impact on the whole of creation with death being the pinnacle of it's effect. But God has provided the way for us to be conquerors IN all of these things.
I like to follow the example of the apostle Paul in regard to his affliction. He referred to it as, "a messenger of Satan sent to torment me". He asked God to remove it on three seperate occasions but God told him; "My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in your weakness." So Paul chose to focus on God's power and sufficiency and didn't bother about Satan at all. The focus must shift to who God is - to us, for us, in us and through us. Paul did this and in doing so he actually began to see how God could use the affliction to teach him to rely on God's strength and power rather than his own. The affliction kept him humble and dependant and pressed him to fly to Christ on a daily basis. And this was a good thing. So he ends up saying.. "I will therefore glory in my affliction in order that the power of Christ may rest more fully upon me for when I am weak I am strong." It's all about our focus... will we cower in fear over Satan who has already been defeated at the cross or will we look at Christ and acknowledge all that he has done for us and is still doing.
I suppose that Satan is pleased when he gets more attention than Christ and therefore I refuse to make much of him. In comparison to the King and creator of the universe he's an insignificant entity.
This is what has helped me.
Mitzi

Hey! I've gotten a lot of comfort from this thread. I'm wondering how it has been for you?

 

[O. C. Del. Min.]

Hi gracealone, I have not been on medications for more than 3 and ½ months and seriously, I thought I won’t be needing them anymore. But some days ago, while I was on my way to a cyber café, I got dizzy and I almost collapsed. Yes..i’m on medications (for O.C.D.) now..but my focus is on God.Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[ruben145]

I remember reading somewhere that OCD is the devil whispering to you however I don't know if this has any truth to it as far as Christianity is concerned. Might be worth looking further in to it though.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I was reading through a religious website about OCD and the belief is that it is caused by a demon spirit. Is that posible that all sickness or mental or emotional problem has some demonic origin? Why doesn't God just heal me of OCD? Could it be that the person who created the religious website is wrong? I feel like sometimes that OCD plays mindtricks on me which I am sure is common.

Yes the website is likely wrong, test everything you read or hear - don't just accept it.
Origin of sickness? From the Bible, the reason is sin.
LIke someone else said earlier it can be a spiritual battle as well (we all battle daily).
Perhaps keep looking for others who recovered from OCD and see what they did - a support group or something? Medicine, Nutrition, Prayer ....
and
of course, perhaps the biggest factor at times "STRESS"...
As always,
one day at a time with God and prayer of thanks,
as HE does know.... and He lets us find out the best way possible. Always.

 

[Hieronymus]

I was reading through a religious website about OCD and the belief is that it is caused by a demon spirit. Is that posible that all sickness or mental or emotional problem has some demonic origin?

Depends on the definition of demonic origin in this context.
If you mean demonic possession i say no.
If you mean all the things of the fallen world, i would say yes, in a way it is. (Genesis 3)

Why doesn't God just heal me of OCD?

"Why doesn't God heal me?" is an often asked question...
God healing alements is rare.
But hardships break the ego and eventually turns people to repentance.

Could it be that the person who created the religious website is wrong?

Definitely very well possible.
There are even denominations that call just about everything 'wrong' demonic.

I feel like sometimes that OCD plays mindtricks on me which I am sure is common.

I'm no expert on OCD, but it sounds like it could be something demonic, but not necessarily.
Demonic influence however doesn't have to be demonic possession.

 

[Leet]

Derek Prince would have said yes.

 

[redblue22]

I would be interested in the source of this reasoning. In the meantime, I wonder why this thinking isn't put to the point of trusting God. What had God done to make one think that if you sin then you are damned? Maybe you aren't thinking that. So why think your state is that of being demonized? God isn't so stupid to think that you being demonized are the same thing. Or are you worried that your demonized state would keep you out of heaven? If so, then we are back to wondering why God isn't smart enough to tell that you are not a demon even though demons taunt you. God has more love and understanding than these posts all tell.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

God healing alements is rare.

Yhwh heals people every day. In some places the little children even expect Him to, just as He said He would. In other places, all the adults say no, it's not for our day , or it's just not possible, or .... ... ... and so on.....
SO just like Jesus could not do many miracles in some cities in the Bible because of their unbelief,
nothing has changed today from then that Jesus could heal more people.... only He still does where people are willing, where it is permitted(and sometimes even not permitted),
and especially where people look to God for help and call on Him.... God has not changed.

 

[com7fy8]

God has more love and understanding than these posts all tell.

Because our Father loves us, He corrects us > Hebrews 12:4-11 < this is a basic guarantee of God's word for God's children.

Therefore, in case a personality problem does have spiritual roots in sin, God is committed to correcting us of whatsoever has to do with sin. So, if you know something is sin, be encouraged that God intends to correct you. So, for Him, it is not acceptable to keep on worrying about it, or guilt-tripping ourselves about something, or looking down on someone with a sin problem, or going on and on feeling shamed about something (Romans 10:11, Romans 5:5). But trust our Father to correct us, as Hebrews 12:4-11 shares for us to do and tells us what to expect from real correction.

He does not just judge us, but gives us the correction of His love's perfection > 1 John 4:17-18 < so, I would say do not settle for or excuse anything less.

If people only criticize you and do not help you, possibly they do not know how to love. So, have mercy on them, be strong in Jesus to care about them in prayer while you seek God to correct you. Loving and forgiving others can help make us stronger against our own troubles.

So, as a child of God, don't be a victim about it!!!

And we can use our failings to help us feel for others who have sin problems >

"He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness." (Hebrews 5:2)

And while we get real character correction, we can help one another to get this, too >

"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16)

We can have mutual confession with mutual prayer to get each other "healed" of whatever in us makes us able to sin and then suffer. We can get "healed" together with God in His love, instead. And we help each other with this. One basic trick of sin is how it gets us feeling isolated like we are all by ourselves with a problem, but we have God and each other ! ! !

Jesus wants me to love any and all people (Matthew 5:46), to care personally about each and every one (Ephesians 4:31-32); so if anything in my mind or personality keeps me from loving any and all people, this anti-love thing is sin.

And God wants us to be ruled by His own peace in our hearts >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

So, if anything in me keeps me from obeying how our Heavenly Father rules us in His own peace, this thing is anti-God and against obedience to His peace; so it is sin.

And so, whenever any anti-love or anti-peace thing even starts in me, I can confess this to God, confessing how I am able to give in to this. And trust Him to restore me and then make me more and more strong and mature so I am not available to that self stuff messing in me. And God has example Jesus people who help me find out how to be with God and how to relate in love with any and all people . . . including ones I just think about or read and hear about in the news. Care in prayer, and share, being ready to have God's family way of loving with anyone > be ready, even if others are not able to share so with us.

I feel that God has pointed out a lot of things which have been wrong in me, but He also has encouraged me to seek and enjoy so much better. So, I would say do not accept just criticism. Jesus is the greatest of all and Jesus has compassion for us; Jesus has hope for any of us; so Jesus calls to "all" >

"'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Matthew 11:28-29)

 

[redblue22]

and of course the repenters continue to say the same thing again and again and again and again.

 

[redblue22]

ok.

 

[SHETALKSTOANGELS]

I am not a fan of making any mental or emotional disturbance, whether you see a psychiatrist or take psychotropic medication or not, to be the work of the devil or something evil, sinful or wrong. I have multiple diagnosis's that were serious enough for me to be on SS disability and I take 4 medications daily to make it thru each day, despite being a deeply spiritual person. I struggle because I was an unwanted, unloved and abused kid, who grew up to be a confused young woman who made a gazillion mistakes. Please do not feel any illness, mental or physical is demonic. We don't live in the Dark Ages anymore.

 

[redblue22]

I would like to ask forgiveness of my readers. I don't remember writing the stuff I did here, but I don't sound very nice at all. Sorry.

 

[Mighty Max]

I was reading through a religious website about OCD and the belief is that it is caused by a demon spirit. Is that posible that all sickness or mental or emotional problem has some demonic origin? Why doesn't God just heal me of OCD? Could it be that the person who created the religious website is wrong? I feel like sometimes that OCD plays mindtricks on me which I am sure is common.

OCD and Tourette's is not demonic in any way, shape or form. My son is a Christian and he has Tourette's. It is a neurological disorder. Christians that think this is possession are so far off the mark. I would not tolerate anyone saying my 12 year old boy is possessed, when I know it's just a neurological disorder. He would be extremely hurt and scared if someone with religious authority said he was possessed. Please, it's just a neurological disorder, that's all. I've known others with Tourette's and they've gotten the same "opinion" from Christians. It's incredibly hurtful and insulting to say that to them.

 

[Mighty Max]

I was reading through a religious website about OCD and the belief is that it is caused by a demon spirit. Is that posible that all sickness or mental or emotional problem has some demonic origin? Why doesn't God just heal me of OCD? Could it be that the person who created the religious website is wrong? I feel like sometimes that OCD plays mindtricks on me which I am sure is common.

The website is BS. If you're thinking the Tourette's is demonic in nature because of the involuntary swearing, you'd be wrong. There are multiple symptoms that fall under the Tourette's umbrella, and some people with Tourette's don't swear. My son doesn't. The tics are neurological, pure and simple. This is an opinion that might have been believed in the Dark Ages. It's 2017.

 

[Mighty Max]

I am not a fan of making any mental or emotional disturbance, whether you see a psychiatrist or take psychotropic medication or not, to be the work of the devil or something evil, sinful or wrong. I have multiple diagnosis's that were serious enough for me to be on SS disability and I take 4 medications daily to make it thru each day, despite being a deeply spiritual person. I struggle because I was an unwanted, unloved and abused kid, who grew up to be a confused young woman who made a gazillion mistakes. Please do not feel any illness, mental or physical is demonic. We don't live in the Dark Ages anymore.

Love your reply. It makes my blood boil when Christians spout their professional, spiritual "opinions" that Tourette's is demonic possession. I'll tell you what I tell my son with Tourette's. Your disorders make you unique and special. God loves you right where you're at!