Featured Let's clear up one misconception

It does not matter as this is not what is being called a mental illness where drugs are given by todays medical profession.

 

You probably need to set down and read the book of Job. Job admits he sinned as he clearly claims he had to repent. In the beginning he did not see it and made a claim of not having any sin, but after accusing and questioning God and God responded Job saw His sin.

 

It does when they say as a pastor friend I once knew who was suffering from cancer, this illness is not from sin in my life. Yet you say to him you must have sin in your life, to which they deny. Job's friend continued to say you have sin in your life to which he vehemently denied and was right there wasn't. Sometimes we go through things for God to test us and God provides the way of escape, that way can be by means of medicine just as well as He can heal without it. Would you advise someone with cancer not to take treatments because God will make a way of escape and yet medical knowledge says take the treatments and we can prolong your life. Or someone who has pnuemonia not taking beathing treatments when the medication will help. The same with a chemical imbalance, the imbalance isn't caused by sin it is caused from something within the body just as most every disease is. Arthritis and Fibromyalgai are not curable but medication treats it the same with most every mental illness caused from a physical condition. Low Dopamine, electrical system not in alignment because of head traauma in the case of epilpsy on and on it can go. Yes some mental illnessess can be from sin just as cancer can be but not all and to label one as such is not biblical. Each case must be dealt with on an individual basis.

 

What was Job's sin? Chapter and verse please.

God said:
Job 1
1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.

8 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”

22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

 

Job's suffering wasn't because he sinned it was a test of his faith and God blessed him because he passed the test. In fact God blessed him with twice what he originally had.

 

Cancer, Arthritis and Fibromyalgia do not cause behavior problems. The heart is where sin lives and the person who sins needs to deal with the heart by confessing and forsaking, not cover it up with drugs.

 

I did not say his suffering was because he sinned.

 

That was before the test was finished. During his testing he questioned and accused God. Job repented so I would ask you does a person have to repent of things that are not sin?
If you cannot understand how Job sinned then go here;
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_sin_does_job_commits

 

The condition being referred to is Parkinson's Disease. That is the illness that was being referred to that would cause trembling such that a person could not carry a cup of coffee across a room. This is not a mental illness.

http://www.medicinenet.com/parkinsons_disease/article.htm

As you can read it is the most common neurodegenerative disorder.
If you confess your sins, ask forgiveness, that doesn't mean that your nerves will stop degenerating. The Second Law of Thermodynamics is still in operation. We still live under the curse. We wait for the redemption of our bodies. And until that time comes the Lord has given us the intelligence to develop some ways to alleviate the symptoms of some of the illnesses that cannot be cured, as well as cures to heal some of the illnesses that can be remedied. Isn't it wonderful to praise God for the intelligence that he gave us and use it for his glory, rather than to go to a church and glory in the ability to pick up poisonous snakes

 

I never said someone with shaking (parkinson) needs to confess sin. I said they need to take their drugs.

 

Perhaps what some call depression is not clinical depression.

Depression and pain are not inseparable. Chronic pain is certainly magnified by depression. But, they are not joined and inseparable.

What must be kept in "mind" is that pain (particularly chronic pain) that is not treated properly can "wear" on the emotional state and more than merely feelings of sadness can result. Professionals separate the general feelings of being overwhelmed or sadness from actual clinical depression.

Clinical depression must be treated with appropriate counsel that may have medication as a supplement. Medication in isolation is never a good idea.

The Godly counsel will aid the chronic pain victim in "pigeon holing" what is physical from what is emotional and spiritual.

In doing so, the chronic pain sufferer will be able to recognize the depression as not sinful in itself, but manifesting attributes of sin such as anger, self centeredness, selfishness, and unbridled tongue. Other manifestations may also occur.

Perhaps what some call depression is not clinical depression.

 

So are you saying that " manifesting attributes of sin such as anger, self centeredness, selfishness, and unbridled tongue" are not always sin?

 

No, that isn't what I posted.

 

Sorry if I miss-understood that is why I asked. What does what you said mean? It is sin but they are not the one responsible or something else?

 

What I stated, "In doing so, the chronic pain sufferer will be able to recognize the depression as not sinful in itself, but manifesting attributes of sin such as anger, self centeredness, selfishness, and unbridled tongue. Other manifestations may also occur."

There is no scripture that states, "Thou shalt not be depressed."

Many of the characters in the Scriptures went through depression and depressing times, some like Elijah, ran and hid then bemoaned.

Did Elijah sin? If he did, there isn't any account of his confession.

Can the manifestations of being depressed result in sin? Yes. The same as wrath and anger in them self is not a sin, but the unbridled tongue spewing blasphemies is a sin.

James made the same distinction when talking of lust.

Jas 1:13 - 16

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. ​

It is the same with every elemental condition of human kind.

 

FAL, do you drink coffee, tea, Coke or eat chocolate?

 

Here is my contention based on scripture. There is no scripture that says thou shalt not be an alcoholic either buy alcoholism is sin, not a disease or mental illness, run wild and I contend is also sin. The person plays with sin and then they get trapped into that sin. The same with what is being discussed here about behavior issues and mental illness. Sadly we do not really believe we are as bad as the bible try's to paint us. We believe we can have good hearts when the bible says other wise and if not totally good at least some good.
Jere 17:9
The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?
ISA 64:6
But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Depression never comes on anyone without an emotional cause. Sadness, anger, remorse, sorrow, or many other things. While those things are not necessarily sin in themselves if clung to they can become sin and depression is spawned. Every single instance in the scriptures where anyone had depression they had sin before that, every time.
To suggest that we can become ill mentally and then it leads us into uncontrollable sin is simply not found in scripture. The reverse is always the pattern and always requires confession and forsaking, not drugs

 

No I do not, why?

 

Amen! It is a fact that the human mind can be injured and change the personality. It is also a fact that we are a delicate balance of chemicals. If the mix goes awry, we can see atypical behaviors as a result. This is a medical issue, not a spiritual one.

John, all the best to you. Don't give a care about ignorant people. They will never be swayed, as they are not willing to learn. Their minds are made up. Treat yourself well. You are worth it.

MP