MENTAL SPIRITUAL ILLNESS
SPIRITUAL ILLNESS IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF MENTAL ILLNESS
Spiritual growth is mandatory for emotional mental stability!
LET EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT UNTO THE HIGHER POWERS.
FOR THERE IS NO POWER BUT OF GOD:
the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God:
AND THEY THAT RESIST SHALL RECEIVE TO THEMSELVES DAMNATION
UNBELIEVERS ARE DELUSIONAL THINKERS
AND WITH ALL DECEIVABLENESS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IN THEM THAT PERISH; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
AND FOR THIS CAUSE GOD SHALL SEND THEM STRONG DELUSION,
THAT THEY SHOULD BELIEVE A LIE:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth,
but had pleasure in unrighteousness
DISOBEDIENCE ENABLES DECEPTION
THIS KNOW ALSO, THAT IN THE LAST DAYS PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
THE CARNAL CHRISTIAN IS SPIRITUALLY DECEIVED
CARNAL
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pertaining to or characterized by the flesh or the body, its passions and appetites; sensual:carnal pleasures.
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not spiritual; merely human; temporal; worldly:a man of secular, rather carnal, leanings.
ENMITY
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a feeling or condition of hostility; hatred; ill will; animosity; antagonism.
MORTIFY THEREFORE YOUR MEMBERS WHICH ARE UPON THE EARTH;
fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, WHICH IS IDOLATRY:
For which things' sake the wrath of God:
Natural man strives for a normal mental health!
a 'secular' DEFINITION OF MENTAL HEALTH
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psychological well-being and satisfactory adjustment to society and to the ordinary demands of life.
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the field of medicine concerned with the maintenance or achievement of such well-being and adjustment.
Mental health refers to our cognitive, behavioral, and emotional wellbeing – it is all about how we think, feel, and behave. The term 'mental health' is sometimes used to mean an absence of a mental disorder. Mental health can affect daily life, relationships, and even physical health.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE 'NORMAL' WITHIN SOCIETY,
IS INIQUITY TO GOD
BUT WE ARE ALL AS AN UNCLEAN THING,
AND ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESES ARE AS FILTHY RAGS;
and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away
Spiritual health is key to mental health!
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
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How does psychology work with biblical counseling?
Psychotherapy is needs-based. The needs for self-love, self-esteem, self-acceptance, and significance tend to dominate. If these needs are met, it is believed, people will be happy, kind, and moral; if these needs are unmet, people will be miserable, hateful, and immoral. Biblical counseling teaches that true satisfaction and happiness can only be found in a relationship with God and a pursuit of Godliness. No amount of psychotherapy can make a selfish person unselfish, for example, but the obedient servant of God will be satisfied in his joyful, unselfish giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).
So, how does psychology work with biblical counseling? It doesn’t. Secular psychology starts and ends with man and his ideas. True biblical counseling points clients to Christ and the Word of God. Biblical counseling is a pastoral activity, a product of the spiritual gift of exhortation, and its goal is not self-esteem but sanctification.
OUT OF THE HEART OF MEN, PROCEED EVIL THOUGHTS,
adulteries, fornications, murders,
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
ALL THESE EVIL THINGS COME FROM WITHIN,
AND DEFILE THE MAN
DEFILE:
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to make foul, dirty, or unclean; pollute; taint; debase.
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to violate the chastity of.
DELUDE:
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to mislead the mind or judgment of; deceive: "His conceit deluded him into believing he was important."
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To delude is to trick or fool, often in relation to yourself
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impose a misleading belief upon (someone); deceive; fool. "too many theorists have deluded the public"
DELUDED:
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believing something that is not true. "the poor deluded creature"
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to mislead the mind or judgment of; deceive: "His conceit deluded him into believing he was important"
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deceived by false beliefs
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having or characterized by delusional ideas
DELUSION:
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an act or instance of deluding.
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the state of being deluded.
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a false belief or opinion:delusions of grandeur.
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Psychiatry. a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact:a paranoid delusion.
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Self-delusion is the act of deceiving one's self. An example of self-delusion is a person who believes himself to be much smarter than he actually is.
DELUSIONAL:
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having false or unrealistic beliefs or opinions:Senators who think they will get agreement on a comprehensive tax bill are delusional.
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Psychiatry. maintaining fixed false beliefs even when confronted with facts, usually as a result of mental illness:
"He was so delusional and paranoid that he thought everybody was conspiring against him."
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characterized by or holding idiosyncratic (something peculiar) beliefs or impressions that are contradicted by reality or rational argument, typically as a symptom of mental disorder.
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based on or having faulty judgment; mistaken.
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What is an example of a delusion?
Delusions. Delusions are an unshakable theory or belief in something false and impossible, despite evidence to the contrary. Examples of some of the most common types of delusions are: ... For example, a person with schizophrenia might believe a billboard or a celebrity is sending a message meant specifically for them.
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What is the most common type of delusion?
According to the DSM-IV-TR, persecutory delusions are the most common form of delusions in schizophrenia, where the person believes they are "being tormented, followed, sabotaged, tricked, spied on, or ridiculed."
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What does it mean when someone is delusional?
Delusions are defined as beliefs that conflict with reality. Despite contrary evidence, individuals with delusions can't let go of their convictions. 1Delusions are often reinforced by the misinterpretation of events. Most delusions involve some level of paranoia.
DELUSION OF GRANDEUR:
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A delusion in which one believes oneself possessed of great importance, power, wealth, intellect, or ability.
DELUSION OF PERSECUTION:
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delusion that one is being persecuted or conspired against, characteristic of paranoid schizophrenia.
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Oppression And Possession Of Believers
We know Satan and devils do exist, we know they are unembodied spirits that work in the spiritual realm, they desire to and are able to indwell humans (also animals) and influence their bodies and minds for evil, they vary in power and authority, but all are more powerful than man, and they can be controlled or cast out by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. But how much power does a devil have over a Christian? Can devils or demons control a believer as they can a lost person?
The Bible mentions basically two types of satanic or demonic influence or control over men:
1. Satanic or Demonic Oppression, where Satan or devils contact and influence people externally; from the outside in.
2. Demon Indwelling or Possession, where the devils actually dwell inside the person, influencing and manipulating him internally.
Practically all will agree Satan has access to every believer from the outside to tempt him and appeal to his self-will, in effort to make him useless for the Lord. Else why would the Bible warn believers to "resist the Devil" (James 4:7) and "neither give place to the Devil" (Eph. 4:27)? However, few will allow Satan's power to go so far as a devil actually indwelling or possessing a believer. Granted, the thought of a foreign spirit controlling a Christian's body and mind for destruction and evil is one of the most harrowing thoughts one could imagine and no sensible believer would want such a thing to occur, but what are the facts? Is it possible? To find the truth we must ignore all emotional appeals and simply examine the biblical facts.
Over the years, while reading and discussing demon possession with other Christian's, your author has found many are repulsed by even the suggestion that a Christian may be susceptible to demon possession. They talk as if one is extremely ignorant or even demented to even think such a thing, but when asked for their biblical proof that it is not possible, their position becomes desperate. They simply cannot produce a passage or verse that PROVES their argument, yet they still cling to their belief.
Over the years your author has found that all the arguments against demon possession of Christians are either based purely on emotion or on a misapplication of Scripture. You may be thinking, "Are you saying a Christian can be demon possessed? No, I didn't say that. What I am saying is there is no place in the Bible that conclusively says Christians can't be possessed. But, on the contrary, there are passages that seem to indicate (though not conclusively prove) that demon possession of believers CAN occur.
When asked for reasons why they think Christians can't be demon possessed one will usually hear, "It's not possible for the Holy Spirit and a demon to dwell in the same body," "It is unthinkable to believe the Holy Spirit would let a devil in a Christian's body, which is God's temple," A born again believer has been redeemed by the blood of Christ and because of that no devil can indwell him," etc., etc. But such arguments are purely emotional without a single Bible verse to stand on. These people have convinced themselves of something that is not true because of the repulsiveness of the question, but emotion and feelings do not make "sound doctrine."
By Timothy S. Morton
NATURAL MAN IS DECEIVED IN INIQUITY
And we know that we are of God,
AND THE WHOLE WORLD LIETH IN WICKEDNESS
AND WITH ALL DECEIVABLENESS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IN THEM THAT PERISH; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
AND FOR THIS CAUSE GOD SHALL SEND THEM STRONG DELUSION,
THAT THEY SHOULD BELIEVE A LIE:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth,
but had pleasure in unrighteousness
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
The psychology of natural man is deceived!
BUT THE NATURAL MAN RECEIVETH NOT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD:
FOR THEY ARE FOOLISHNESS UNTO HIM
neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned
A fool hath no delight in understanding,
BUT THAT HIS HEART MAY DISCOVER ITSELF
NATURAL MAN IS DECEITFUL AND WICKED
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;
AND SO DEATH PASSED UPON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED
IN FLAMING FIRE TAKING VENGEANCE ON THEM THAT KNOW NOT GOD,
AND THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,
and from the glory of his power
and with his stripes we are healed.
ALL WE LIKE SHEEP HAVE GONE ASTRAY;
we have turned every one to his own way;
AND THE LORD HATH LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
AND HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE;
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS
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Symptoms & Treatments of Mental Disorders
Mental disorders are characterized by problems that people experience with their mind (thoughts) and their mood (feelings). They are not well understood in terms of their causes, but the symptoms of mental illness are scientifically valid and well known. Treatment — usually involving both psychotherapy and medication — for most types of mental illness and mental health concerns is readily available and, eventually, effective for most people.
The diagnostic criteria for mental disorders (also known as “mental illness”) are composed of symptom checklists that primarily are focused on a person’s behaviors and thoughts. These lists of symptoms have been summarized from current diagnostic criteria commonly used in the United States by mental health professionals (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition). We’ve divided the disorders into three broad categories below: adult, childhood, and personality disorders; some disorders may fall under more than one category.
These disorder lists are in the process of being updated to reflect the changes from the latest edition of the diagnosis manual, the DSM-5.
Dr Thomas Szasz, m.d.
Dr. Thomas Szasz
American-Hungarian Psychiatrist
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF DEVILS!
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how much emphasis should be given to demonic deliverance in the christian life?
There are two extremes in people’s thinking about demons. One says that what we call demons are nothing more than negative thoughts and behaviors that any human being is capable of. Those who hold this view believe that “deliverance” from a “demon” is brought about by the application of self-control; this view is usually accompanied by the discounting of anything supernatural. The other extreme says that any bad happening whatsoever is the work of demons. Those who hold this view often “rebuke” everything from the common cold to a drop in the stock market. The correct emphasis on demonic deliverance lies somewhere between these two extremes.
Scripture is clear that demons are real and that they interfere in human affairs (Matthew 12:43; Mark 1:26; Acts 8:7). Demons were very much at work in Bible times, and there is no reason to assume that demons are inactive now (1 Peter 5:8). However, among those who do believe demons are at work today, there are a variety of perspectives. Some tend to over-emphasize the work of Satan, giving him more attention than he deserves. Our focus should be on the glory of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), since "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Satan and God are not “equal” or “balanced” opposites. Satan is a created, finite being who possesses only the power God allows him to have (Job 1:9-10).
Jesus cast out many demons during His earthly ministry, and the early church continued to address spiritual warfare after Jesus had ascended back to heaven (Acts 5:3; 8:7; Ephesians 6:11-13; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). There is no evidence to suggest that Satan and his fallen angels have ceased to torment human beings. However, James 1:13-15 makes it clear that much of our struggle against sin is due to our own fleshly desires, not a direct attack from Satan.
The Greek word daimonizomai, often translated "demon-possessed" in the Gospels, simply means "demonized." The word refers to more than just possession. Anyone under the influence of a demon could be considered "demonized." Even a Christian can be "demonized" or suffer demonic oppression if he allows his thoughts, actions, or attitudes to be influenced by demons. Even Peter, one of the Lord’s closest friends, allowed himself to be a mouthpiece for Satan when he tried to talk Jesus out of going to the cross (Matthew 16:21-23). Although a Christian has been purchased by the blood of Jesus (John 10:28-29; Romans 5:9), Satan can still wreak a great deal of havoc if allowed. He cannot steal the soul of a Christian or possess him, but he can render him fruitless and rob his life of joy and victory.
Ephesians 6:10-17 instructs us in combating the forces of darkness. We are told to continually put on the "full armor of God" and "stand firm." Although Satan and his forces are constantly at work to "steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10), God’s armor allows His children to be victorious against the attacks. Often, in situations when demonic oppression in a believer’s life is overwhelming, it is due to that believer’s sinful choices (2 Corinthians 2:11). We are told to resist the devil (James 4:7), be careful of him (1 Peter 5:8), and not give him room in our lives (Ephesians 4:27).
The most scriptural way of defeating demonic influence in a Christian’s life is to follow Jesus’ example when He was tempted by Satan. Luke 4:1-12 recounts the conversation between Jesus and Satan. Although Jesus is God in the flesh, He did not rely on His own wit or authority to rebuke His enemy. Every time Satan came against Him, He replied, "It is written..." The best defense against demonic attack is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
Christians are in a spiritual battle, and we need to be aware of the spiritual realities around us. But our focus should not be on the demons; our eyes are to be fixed “on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). That’s where the victory is.
NATURAL MAN does not know how to resist
the power of satan!
NATURAL MAN doesn't know satan as his adversary!
NATURAL MAN is completely vulnerable to demonic powers!
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
satan is a myth to natural man
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when satan is the father of every unsaved person
I often refer to unsaved people as “children of the Devil.” This means that they are spiritually dead and; therefore, are susceptible to Satan's spiritual guidance and influence.
Few people understand that the human spirit is highly vulnerable to spiritual influences—movies, music, books, magazines, doctrines, et cetera—everything detected through the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, feel and smell). Man is created in God's image. Just as the Godhead is triune in nature, so also is mankind...
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SPIRIT (returns to God Who gave it at death - Ecclesiastes 12:7)
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SOUL (a heart to feel; a mind to think; a will to decide)
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BODY (the tabernacle of the soul and spirit - 2nd Corinthians 5:1)
Our spirit is who we really are inside. An unsaved person is spiritually dead by birth. Please note that spiritual death is not the same as the second death (Revelation 21:8). The second death is the Lake of Fire forever. Every human being is born spiritually dead with an inherited sin nature from Adam (Romans 5:12).
The Bible calls this the “natural man.” 1st Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” This is why unsaved people cannot understand the Bible. If you study the Bible without the presence of the Author (God), you're 100% guaranteed to misinterpret the Scriptures and teach heresy. Everyone needs to get saved so you'll understand the Word of God. Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Every Christian believer has the Holy Spirit living (indwelling) within their body. If you do not have God's Spirit in you, then you are not saved (Hebrews 12:6-8).
Once you believe the Gospel—receiving Christ's death, burial and resurrection as payment for YOUR sins—you are eternally saved—you are now the child of God and He is your Father. Everyone—everyone—is either a child of God or a child of the Devil. You may be the most sweet, honest and kind person in your town, but you are still a child of the Devil if you have never been born-again by the Spirit of God by faith in Christ Jesus. And you may be cranky, have a short-tempter and be impatient, but you are still a child of God if you have believed the Gospel.
You don't go to Heaven because you're good outweighs your bad. That's what the Devil wants people to think, because no one is good in God's eyes (Isaiah 64:6; James 2:10). We go to Heaven because we have JESUS' RIGHTEOUSNESS!!! (Romans 4:5-6; 2nd Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:3-4). A demon's favorite activity is making religious people feel saved. Most religious people have never been born anew by the Spirit of God by the Word of God. The Bible is the Seed (1st Peter 1:23). If we place our faith in Jesus, the Christ, the only begotten Son of God Who died, was buried and rose up three days later, then our sins are washed away by the precious blood of Jesus forever (1st Peter 1:18-19).
DEMONOLOGY - By David J. Stewart
The key to victory in the Christian life is to be filled (controlled and empowered) with the Holy Spirit on a moment-by-moment basis (Ephesians 5:18). The Father knows who are His: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). The Holy Spirit will not indwell anyone who is not born again (John 3:3–8; 2 Timothy 2:19; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:16), so the first step in spiritual victory is to place our faith in Jesus Christ. Then, rejoice that Jesus is in you and you have His power and His victory.
You must be spiritually born-again!
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air,
THE SPIRIT THAT NOW WORKETH IN THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE
FOR REBELLION IS AS THE SIN OF WITCHCRAFT,
AND STUBBORNESS IS AS INIQUITY AND IDOLATRY.
Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,
for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
and they are they which testify of me.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,
nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,
behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED, AND YE REFUSED;
I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your fear cometh;
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind;
when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
THEN SHALL THEY CALL UPON ME, BUT I W ILL NOT ANSWER;
they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
They would none of my counsel:
THEREFORE SHALL THEY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THEIR OWN WAY, AND BE FILLED WITH THEIR OWN DEVICES.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous:
but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
And his fame went throughout all Syria:
and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments,
and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick,
God protects His own!
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.....