Mental Illness = Demonic Oppression

There is some confusion with the terminology used in modern-day medical vernacular regarding mental illness and demonic oppression of the mind. These are 100 scriptures regarding what the bible says about mental illness.

 

Psalm 34:17-20 ESV / 708 helpful votes 

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV / 588 helpful votes 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 558 helpful votes 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 491 helpful votes 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 4:24 ESV / 444 helpful votes 

So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.

John 16:33 ESV / 342 helpful votes 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.â€

1 Peter 5:7 ESV / 328 helpful votes 

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Matthew 17:14-20 ESV / 316 helpful votes 

And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.†And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.†And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. …

Acts 20:35 ESV / 307 helpful votes 

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’â€

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV / 291 helpful votes 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.†Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 287 helpful votes 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 265 helpful votes 

For nothing will be impossible with God.â€

Romans 12:16 ESV / 248 helpful votes 

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 248 helpful votes 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Jonah 2:5-7 ESV / 235 helpful votes 

The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.

2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 219 helpful votes 

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 219 helpful votes 

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. …

Psalm 56:11 ESV / 208 helpful votes 

In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 202 helpful votes 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 200 helpful votes 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 186 helpful votes 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Matthew 11:28 ESV / 175 helpful votes 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Romans 12:12 ESV / 163 helpful votes 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Isaiah 43:1-28 ESV / 162 helpful votes 

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. …

1 John 4:1 ESV / 161 helpful votes 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Joshua 1:9 ESV / 132 helpful votes 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.â€

Philippians 4:19 ESV / 120 helpful votes 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 111 helpful votes 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 98 helpful votes 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

3 John 1:2 ESV / 97 helpful votes 

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 95 helpful votes 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV / 91 helpful votes 

Come to me, all 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.â€

John 14:27 ESV / 89 helpful votes 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Luke 11:24 ESV / 89 helpful votes 

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’

Psalm 46:10 ESV / 78 helpful votes 

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!â€

Romans 8:18 ESV / 73 helpful votes 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Matthew 6:34 ESV / 72 helpful votes 

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV / 70 helpful votes 

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

1 John 4:8 ESV / 69 helpful votes 

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 68 helpful votes 

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

James 4:7 ESV / 67 helpful votes 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV / 65 helpful votes 

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 63 helpful votes 

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 62 helpful votes 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Isaiah 53:5 ESV / 62 helpful votes 

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Proverbs 15:13 ESV / 61 helpful votes 

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Mark 9:21-27 ESV / 60 helpful votes 

And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?†And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.†And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.†Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!†And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.†…

Luke 9:1 ESV / 59 helpful votes 

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,

Daniel 4:1-37 ESV / 57 helpful votes 

King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me. …

Ephesians 4:23 ESV / 56 helpful votes 

And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

Romans 8:6 ESV / 55 helpful votes 

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 54 helpful votes 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 53 helpful votes 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 51 helpful votes 

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Romans 12:1-2 ESV / 50 helpful votes 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 John 4:18 ESV / 49 helpful votes 

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Philippians 4:8-9 ESV / 49 helpful votes 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 1:4-5 ESV / 47 helpful votes 

Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

Proverbs 17:22 ESV / 46 helpful votes 

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Philippians 4:6-9 ESV / 45 helpful votes 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Ephesians 5:18 ESV / 45 helpful votes 

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 45 helpful votes 

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; …

John 14:18 ESV / 45 helpful votes 

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Isaiah 26:3 ESV / 45 helpful votes 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 45 helpful votes 

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

1 Timothy 1:5 ESV / 44 helpful votes 

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV / 44 helpful votes 

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

John 10:10 ESV / 44 helpful votes 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Philippians 2:5 ESV / 43 helpful votes 

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 42 helpful votes 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. …

John 6:37-40 ESV / 42 helpful votes 

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.â€

Ezekiel 36:26-27 ESV / 40 helpful votes 

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Psalm 118:17 ESV / 39 helpful votes 

I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.

Romans 8:22-23 ESV / 38 helpful votes 

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Proverbs 3:7-8 ESV / 38 helpful votes 

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

1 Samuel 16:23 ESV / 38 helpful votes 

And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.

James 5:13-15 ESV / 37 helpful votes 

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Luke 12:48 ESV / 36 helpful votes 

But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Mark 5:1-43 ESV / 35 helpful votes 

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. …

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 35 helpful votes 

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Psalm 9:9 ESV / 35 helpful votes 

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Exodus 15:26 ESV / 35 helpful votes 

Saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.â€

1 John 4:16 ESV / 34 helpful votes 

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV / 34 helpful votes 

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, …

Deuteronomy 28:28 ESV / 34 helpful votes 

The Lord will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of mind,

Psalm 57:1 ESV / 33 helpful votes 

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 32 helpful votes 

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 31 helpful votes 

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Matthew 25:39-40 ESV / 29 helpful votes 

And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 28 helpful votes 

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Luke 9:1-2 ESV / 27 helpful votes 

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

Proverbs 14:30 ESV / 27 helpful votes 

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

1 John 4:4 ESV / 25 helpful votes 

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Romans 15:13 ESV / 25 helpful votes 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Luke 12:3 ESV / 23 helpful votes 

Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

Luke 4:18-19 ESV / 23 helpful votes 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.â€

1 Kings 16:18 ESV / 20 helpful votes 

And when Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king’s house and burned the king’s house over him with fire and died,

1 Samuel 31:4-5 ESV / 18 helpful votes 

Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.†But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 15 helpful votes 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

John 3:16 ESV / 14 helpful votes 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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