I received a great question from a friend and fellow OCD Advocate today (edited for format):

I’m curious what your take on this is: it has been mentioned a few times how people think OCD is a tool of/caused by Satan. That OCD is a spiritual attack and that the enemy is planting things in our minds. What are your thoughts?

As a Christian committed to faith in Jesus with the pursuit of truth in mind, I see it like this. Scriptures and the witness of the church make plain that we have an enemy of our souls, “the accuser” (Revelation 12:10) or adversary. To hold to Christian orthodoxy (generally held beliefs and doctrine of the church throughout its history) means to affirm the existence of the unseen, and particularly “principalities and powers,” which includes God, angels, Satan, and demons. Some may attempt to describe certain details as symbolism, but the whole of Scriptures does not give the grounds to see it as simply story.

Ummmmm….So, How Does That Work?

If Satan/the Devil is a reality, then how does that work? This post cannot get into the extraordinarily deep topic, but check out “Satan in the Bible” for a quick overview of 14 points. The Further Reading section below has some other resources, as well.

Let me be simple here—there are many ways evil forces seem to impact us, but there are many ways they can’t. Scriptures tell us some very clear ways but also leave us with a lot of uncertainty.

This is where faith must come in.

Science Will Always Fall Short

In science, it can only study what is observed empirically, so it may pick up on the results of spiritual things but can never fully see them. Thus, science is observation, and it does not provide a worldview per se, though it certainly informs.  A worldview is a “collection of attitudes, values, stories and expectations about the world around us, which inform our every thought and action” (NIH). In short, science can tell us who, what, when, where, how and sometimes why, but it can never tell us “should” and “ought” and meaning and purpose—that comes from theology and philosophy, broadly.  Secular clinicians who hold to science as their worldview tend to dismiss the spiritual if there are no empirical grounds. However, being overly rigid with empiricism rules out many things that Christianity teaches about the world—not the least of which is having an adversary to our souls. In lay terms, there is a being(s) who can really screw with us.

That’s Scary, but Fear Not

Yes, that’s a bit scary to think of, and many of you may think of some scary medieval painting or a cartoon with a pitchfork-in-hand devil. If the implications around evil, Satan, and demons are actually real, it’s pretty uncomfortable. And I do believe in the reality of spiritual things that I can’t see.

Fortunately, the most common directive in Scriptures is “Fear Not”–we have a living hope in Jesus (1 Peter 1:3), and we need not fear.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…. (Psalm 46:2)

But, the Science

I’ll be quick here, because many of my articles and interviews cover the topic of the benefits of scientific treatments of OCD for Christians, including my recent one to pastors (BioLogos).

OCD is a disorder well known and studied for its characteristic and consistent effects on those who have it. There are treatments that work (hint hint: CBT), and these work congruently alongside a maturing Christian faith.

What Do I Do?

If you’re human with a heartbeat, you might feel a bit nervous with some of this.  I do.  If you have OCD (and especially scrupulosity), or an Anxiety Disorder(s), these things can be even harder to walk through.

I take a very practical view and stick with what Ephesians 6:10-20 states:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

3 pointers:

1. If you’re gonna address spiritual warfare, use the tools of spiritual warfare. As Christians, we are not always told exactly what is going on behind the scenes, except in the few examples where we are.
2. Talk to trusted others in community to walk out your journey well—this includes a faith leader(s).
3. Consider treatment if you may be struggling with scrupulous, obsessive, anxious thoughts, fears, and worries around these topics that negatively impact your life.

What we’re not told

• Go Devil hunting
• Figure out every detail of Satan and demons and how they might try to distract
• To worry (if you’re a Christian)
• To know the exact separation between mental, physical, spiritual, or otherwise

What we are told

• Watch and pray
• Love God and others
• Flee sin and temptation
• Stay in community
• Obey God’s Word
• Rest
• Trust God
• Don’t trust untrustworthy people

What We Do When We’re Uncertain

Many in the church apply their views on “spiritual warfare” very inconsistently. They begin to make wild claims for things they don’t understand and are uncertain about—often these are attempts to simply have the answers, fill the void, and avoid discomfort.  This is not what God always grants us.  Discomfort and suffering is part of a robust Christian life—but also hope and joy.

I venture a guess that most people these days are not throwing out a reference to Satan when a loved one is going through cancer treatment, but why not? I think that that is just as relevant. I’m not calling anyone to go demon hunting in every detail, nor demon denying.  I would say to pray, trust Jesus, love others, and stand in the gap of uncertainty with hope and faith. At the end of the day, we have to check our assumptions at the door, and I hope you will appreciate today where faith needs to be inserted in the mystery and where courage needs to be inserted into the fear.

Further Reading [affiliiate links included, I might make a small commission if you purchase through me]:

• Interested in a classic Christian allegory of the topic? Look no further than C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters
• God’s Devil by Erwin Lutzer
• Spiritual Warfare in the Storyline of Scripture: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach by Cook and Lawless
• Bible verses on uncertainty
• Bible verses on mystery
• Bible verses on hope