How Demons Influence Self-Destructive Behavior

I was recently speaking with a friend who returned from a ministry trip in Canada. On his trip he taught on getting set free from evil spirits, and saw several people get delivered. The town he ministered in has a very high suicide rate, and the Lord showed him that the reason for the high suicide rate was demonic torment.

For those who do not understand the ministry of deliverance, it can seem insensitive to suggest that those who commit suicide are tormented by demons. But when you understand how demonic activity works—and how common it is—the stigma associated with it is removed. It is not condemning the person who is tormented, it is exposing the work of evil spirits. Many times, demons are at work behind the scenes to cause torment, oppression, and bondage.

In the New Testament, there is a clear connection between demonic influence and self-destructive behavior. Mark chapter 5 describes a man who was tormented by many evil spirits. Verse five says, “And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones” (Mark 5:5). Could it be that those today who feel compelled to cut themselves and inflict pain on their own bodies are also being influenced by demons?

In Mark chapter 9 Jesus delivered a boy from an evil spirit. The boy’s father described how the demon drove the boy to suicidal behavior: “And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him” (Mark 9:22). The demon tried to cause the boy to commit suicide, throwing him into fire and water.

Much self-destructive and suicidal behavior has a demonic element to it. As long as we remain ignorant to the enemy’s schemes, he has free reign to steal, kill, and destroy. But when we become aware of his activity, we can become equipped to recognize the work of demonic spirits and empowered to set captives free.

Do you or someone you know need to be set free from demonic influence? Pray through this prayer of deliverance and believe for Jesus to set you free!