Mental Illness
MENTAL ILLNESS
Problem:
A person may express that, Asomething is wrong with my mind.@ Or a disorder or imbalance of the mind is discerned by someone. The nature of the problem can often be ascertained by listening to the counselee and discerning his need through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Biblical Statement:
The Word of God promises Christians a sound mind. Mental illness is a part of the curse of the law and is often a result of sin and disobedience to God
Deuteronomy 28:15 15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
Deuteronomy 28:28 28 The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:
Sometimes demonic activity is involved, or possibly actual physiological damage.
Matthew 14:14 14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Matthew 14:21 21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
2 Timothy 1:7 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)
Isaiah 26:3 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (KJV)
Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)
Luke 4:1819 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (KJV)
Romans 12:2 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)
Counsel:
Possible causes are occult involvement, inordinate fear, demon possession or obsession, willful disobedience and/or physical damage.
If the problem is one where unacceptable remarks or behavior is manifested, suspect demonic activity or just plain sinfulness.
Questions about what the counselee has been reading may reveal occult involvement.
If indicated and the counselee can rationally cooperate, lead him through a born-again experience.
Establish that the person is primarily responsible for maintaining a healthy mind. He can not blame others for influencing him in what he feeds his mind. He is still responsible to God for his own behavior.
If the problem is found to be one caused by physical damage, minister healing and restoration of a health and wholesome mind. If you discern that you are to Aspeak wholeness@ according to such a need to do so on the authority of Jesus= Word. Be bold! Your are nut under the curse , as a born-again Spirit filled Christian. Expect God to keep His word.
Encourage the person to join a Spirit-filled fellowship. Even if deliverance take place, he will need continuing love, counseling and opportunity for Spiritual growth. Refer him to Twin City Baptist Temple.
Prayer:
Claim God=s promises that the captives will be loosed and the oppressed set free. Pray for and expect God to move in the person=s life. Seek to get the person to agree with you that God is answering prayer.