We know that countless people today suffer from a wide range of mental ‘illnesses’ and emotional ‘disorders’. Depression, anxiety, panic attacks and ‘irrational fears’ are nothing new to any of us, including many people who yes...are ‘faithful church members’. And what's interesting is for the most part, many of these people are just ‘treated’ for their conditions...as opposed to being cured or healed from them. Why is that? No doubt someone is making a lot of money with all the medications we prescribe to folks that enables them to ‘cope’ with their conditions. (and I'm not knocking 'meds' either)

Now that is not to say that people are not actually cured or set free from painful wounds in their lives that have caused much pain, emotional and such. No doubt...trained therapists have probably helped many a folk work through unresolved issues from their past as they are coached or gently guided to ‘let go’ of past hurts, bitterness, resentments...leading them to forgive and 'bury the past'. And I’m just talking from a secular point of view now.

But the universally sound advice in learning to ‘forgive and (hopefully) forget’ has strong spiritual and biblical truths to consider. Jesus relayed a story in Matt. 18 about a man who was forgiven of a great debt, one he most likely was unable to pay off. The one whom he owed (described as a king or master) released him of this great debt, out of mercy and compassion. You are probably familiar with that story by now. This man who was forgiven then went out and confronted a servant of his who owed him money, and we are led to believe it was nothing in comparison to what he had just been forgiven of. Sadly, he did not demonstrate the same compassion and mercy that had been extended to him earlier by the king.

When this king caught wind of what happened, he called for this servant he had forgiven to be brought to him, and confronted him with his actions, or ‘inactions’ we should say. Calling him a ‘wicked servant’ (32)... he asked him “Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?”(33)

Now pay attention as Jesus relays what follows here: “And his master was angry, and delivered him to the 'torturers'... until he should pay all that was due him.” (34)

Would you please underline this next part in your Bible that comes straight from the mouth of Jesus: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you...if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brothers his trespasses.” (35)

Who or what...do you suppose these ‘torturers’ or ‘tormentors’ are...that Jesus said the Father will hand such people over to? It goes without saying their job or role is to...torture and torment, as in inflict pain. (what subject matter have we been studying here of late?)

Have you ever noticed how even a secular world (non-spiritual) often refers to people who have had their share of ‘demons’ to fight? I would think it is more of a ‘figure of speech’ to them, but why do we ‘believers’ not give more attention to this idea that some of our ‘problems’, be it emotional, or mental, and yes...even physical have a ‘spiritual’ component, or root of influence at work here?

You might be asking...How could God turn anyone over to ‘tormentors’? I would submit many are asking that question because they have no understanding to what the ‘wrath of God’ is or how it ‘works’.

What does Paul admonish us to do in Eph. 4:27? “Give no place to the devil!” Do you think he is speaking of some ‘figurative’ or mythical creature here.... or a ‘literal’ force of darkness that is spiritual in nature?

And when it comes to ‘handing them over to tormentors’...do you recall an instance where some sexual immorality was taking place in the church at Corinth, that was going ‘unchecked’ by the leadership there? Take a look at what Paul said should be done with this unrepentant brother who was guilty of this sin: “Deliver (hand over) such a one to Satan... for the ‘destruction’ of the flesh (physical), so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Cor. 5:5). (What was the counsel Jesus gave to a man who was healed of a long lasting infirmity in John 5:14?)

Then Paul goes on and justifies such drastic action, likening sin to ‘leaven that spreads through the whole loaf’...and needs to be ‘purged’ (6-7). And apparently this ‘discipline’ (Heb.12:11) worked, because in his second letter to them, he acknowledges this man was humbled and repentant. Now take a look at what Paul then advises them in 2 Cor. 2:6-8, and the pressing need to ‘forgive’ this brother and to reaffirm their love towards him. Why was this important for them....as it is for us today? Take a look at vs. 10-11...”I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ...lest Satan should take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

Why bring ‘Satan’ in to this discussion if he is just a ‘mythical character’ to use for teaching ‘good moral lessons’?

Friends....God is wanting to ‘pull back the curtain’ even more to reveal to us why so many of ‘His people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge’ (Hosea 4:6). Now I am not here to make a claim that every physical ailment and point of suffering, be it physical, emotional, or mental...is directly linked to ‘demons spirits’. But we would be foolish to dismiss and not even consider ‘why’...people are suffering in such ways, despite all the ‘physical’ treatments we offer them. Would you care to finish up with a few more scriptures to look at?

The woman in Luke 13:10-16 who had been 'bent' over for 18 years...what was the source of her affliction, according to vs. 11 & 16?

The young boy whose father brought him to Jesus who was unable to speak or hear, and suffered from repeated and horrific seizures...what was the source of his affliction? (In neither case are we told ‘how or why’ they ended up in this condition).

The man we read about in Mark 5:1-18, who exhibited a number of disturbing symptoms, but was restored to his ‘right mind’ (15)...we learn quickly what the cause of his afflictions were. Thank goodness Jesus was there to set him free, as He still is today for anyone who turns to Him (Acts 10:38; Mal. 3:6)

Oh...and those painful boils that Job was afflicted with? Who put those on him, with God’s permission, of course? (Job 2:6-7)

Finally....in Matt. 12:43-45, Jesus taught us what happens when an ‘unclean spirit goes out of a man...” We have no indication as to what this man’s condition was prior to this spirit leaving him, whether he had any visible problems or issues, etc. But what we do know is that this spirit found its way back ‘home’ inside this man, bringing with him “seven other spirits more wicked then himself”...and they too entered and dwelt there...and the last (condition) of that man  was worse than in the beginning.”

Do you think it’s possible that many in the body of Christ have spent more time trying to address ‘spiritual afflictions’ with ‘physical remedies’...and maybe it’s time to sit up and go back to the Word of God and relook at a few things? (Matt. 4:23-25; 9:35-36)  James even offers up as a solution, or ‘cure’ in 5:13-16.