Five Chicago mass shootings? Communities are left grappling with the agonizing question: “Why?” They were all in African American neighborhoods except for one incident in the River North area where 18 African Americans were murdered. Coincidence? Not all.

While psychological, social, and political factors are rightly examined, a growing number of theological experts and deliverance ministers are urging believers to look deeper—into the unseen realm of spiritual warfare.

Chicago Mass Shootings: Chicago’s Violence Spiritually Invoked?

The biblical worldview asserts that our reality is not limited to what we can see and touch. A fierce, invisible battle rages, and humanity is often caught in the crossfire.

Could it be that some of the most horrific acts of violence are not merely the product of a disturbed mind, but the result of demonic influence, potentially invoked through dark spiritual practices?

Chicago Mass Shootings: Spiritual Warfare?

The Bible is unequivocal about the existence of a spiritual hierarchy of evil. The Apostle Paul, writing to the believers in Ephesus, provides one of the clearest descriptions of this conflict. He is not speaking metaphorically when he says:

“For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.”

(Ephesians 6:12, Complete Jewish Bible)

This passage establishes a critical truth: the ultimate source of evil and chaos is not “flesh and blood” but organized, malevolent spiritual entities. Christian counselors and theologians point out that these forces are not passive; their agenda, as described by Yeshua (Jesus) himself, is to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10a, CJB). Mass violence, the ultimate act of killing and destroying, aligns perfectly with this demonic mandate.

Incantations and Invocations: Opening Doorways to Darkness?

The question of whether incantations can invoke violence touches upon the biblical prohibitions against witchcraft, sorcery, and divination. The Torah is explicit in its condemnation of these practices:

“There is not to be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through fire, anyone who practices divination, an astrologer, an enchanter, a sorcerer, anyone who casts spells, a spiritist, a psychic, or one who attempts to contact the dead. For anyone who does these things is detestable to ADONAI…” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12a, CJB)

Why are these practices so strongly forbidden? Deliverance ministers and theologians argue that these acts are not harmless rituals; they are spiritual transactions. They are invitations. An incantation, a curse, or a ritual spell is a deliberate act of seeking power and intervention from a spiritual source other than God. In doing so, an individual willingly opens a spiritual “doorway,” granting demonic entities legal ground or access to influence their thoughts, emotions, and, ultimately, their actions.

While it is impossible to draw a direct, provable line from a specific chanted spell to a mass casualty event, the principle of spiritual influence is clear.

A person who immerses themselves in occult practices, hatred, and the glorification of death is aligning their will with the forces of darkness. This alignment can lead to escalating levels of oppression and obsession, culminating in the spirit of murder taking root and driving an individual to commit atrocities they might not have otherwise contemplated.

Biblical Precedent: Demonic Influence and Violent Manifestations

Scripture provides several accounts where demonic influence results in extreme violence. The story of the demon-possessed man from the Gerasenes is a chilling example. This man was tormented to the point of living among tombs, crying out, and “cutting himself with stones” (Mark 5:5, CJB).

The evil spirits within him gave him supernatural strength, enabling him to break chains. When Yeshua commanded the spirits to leave, they entered a herd of pigs, which then violently charged down a cliff into the sea and drowned (Mark 5:13, CJB). This account demonstrates a clear link between demonic presence and both self-inflicted and external acts of violence and destruction.

Similarly, in the book of Acts, when the seven sons of Sceva attempted to perform an exorcism without true authority in Yeshua, the result was violent.

The man with the evil spirit “leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered” (Acts 19:16, NLT).

These biblical narratives affirm that evil spirits are not benign; they are capable of inciting and executing extreme acts of violence.

The Believer’s Response: Waging War with Spiritual Weapons

Recognizing the spiritual roots of such violence is not a call to despair, but a call to duty—spiritual duty. The same passage in Ephesians that details the enemy’s hierarchy also outlines our God-given provision for victory.

We are called to put on the “full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13-18, CJB), which includes truth, righteousness, the Good News of shalom, faithfulness, salvation, and the Word of God.

Our primary offensive weapon is prayer. We are called to pray for our communities, for those filled with hate, and for protection against these dark forces. We are to overcome evil not with more violence, but with good (Romans 12:21, CJB).

By walking in the authority given to us by Yeshua, believers can stand against the schemes of the devil, push back darkness, and be agents of peace and healing in a world wracked by spiritually-fueled violence.