What medications are acceptable in His sight

[agedman]

I am not posting this thread to create division but to see what the forum folks consider sound teaching.

It is my understanding that some preachers of note (John MacArthur for one) reject medication helps for those who have a chemical deficit causing hyper or hypo activity of both the body and thinking. Rather, they find total "cures" in family discipline and instilling godly character. (For more information consult "God's Pattern for Children" from Grace to You).

Clearly the same preachers would not deny medical helps for diabetics, liver failure, heart and blood (which I take), however any that focushelps to the brain is considered ungodly.

Some proclaim all types of psychological investigations and helps can only be done by Christians. (again, JM is one)

This is not a discussion on the "over use" or the "reason why" the medications are or are not helpful. It is to focus on that narrow aspect of what authority is given to believers to make statements that may or may not be medically and or psychologically harmful to a family or member. I used JM only to show that such teaching does occur.

Questions:

1) Do you agree with this type of teaching?

2) What is your authority to make such a decision?

3) Can you point out specific Scriptures that would concur with your view?

For the record and to tease some to contribute, I flatly reject that kind of thinking/teaching as ignorant and self serving and definitely not found in Scriptures.

Can you show me by Scriptures I am in error?

 

[annsni]

I definitely agree that there are chemical components to many mental illnesses and I also agree that there are often behavioral/sin issues involved in many "mental illnesses". So I think a two-pronged approach is appropriate.

 

[Zaac]

Reject any medication that does not allow you to maintain the mind of Christ.

Doctors are notorious for prescribing stuff that causes hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, mood swings etc.

Don't do it.

The enemy has attacked so many lives when folks have been under the influence of something.

 

[agedman]

I agree that upon occasion the government has used psycho-changing drugs inappropriately as well as other such experiments treating folks as lab rats (Unethical human experimentation in the United States).

However, medical professionals are under very strict guidelines and have for decades had to submit any medication prescriptions involving narcotic ingredients to the DEA types. Pharmacists must report the dispense of these drugs and they are tracked to specific people for specific causes.

It isn't dispensed as easily as some who are not involved in or with the profession want to make it out to be.

More to the purpose of the OP.

The psychotic or schizophrenic are by in large not being encouraged by a message from a church that states taking the medication to help the brain is wrong.

Just as much as the family with a child that is missing or does not have enough of a certain brain chemical and therefore is in some manner effected is not helped when the message is given by the church that taking medication for the condition is wrong.

What Scripture gives the authority to a pastor to make such a proclamation as divinely ordained and to be followed?

 

[evangelist6589]

Reject any medication that does not allow you to maintain the mind of Christ.

Doctors are notorious for prescribing stuff that causes hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, mood swings etc.

Don't do it.

The enemy has attacked so many lives when folks have been under the influence of something.

So you are saying I should reject medications that help me get a better night sleep? Without the medications I have a real problem falling and staying asleep as I have a sleep disorder called insomnia.

 

[Darrell C]

I am not posting this thread to create division but to see what the forum folks consider sound teaching.

It is my understanding that some preachers of note (John MacArthur for one) reject medication helps for those who have a chemical deficit causing hyper or hypo activity of both the body and thinking. Rather, they find total "cures" in family discipline and instilling godly character. (For more information consult "God's Pattern for Children" from Grace to You).

Clearly the same preachers would not deny medical helps for diabetics, liver failure, heart and blood (which I take), however any that focushelps to the brain is considered ungodly.

Some proclaim all types of psychological investigations and helps can only be done by Christians. (again, JM is one)

This is not a discussion on the "over use" or the "reason why" the medications are or are not helpful. It is to focus on that narrow aspect of what authority is given to believers to make statements that may or may not be medically and or psychologically harmful to a family or member. I used JM only to show that such teaching does occur.

Excellent topic.

Questions:

1) Do you agree with this type of teaching?

In large part yes.

As one who has had experience with people using psych meds as well as having myself been prescribed psych meds for a "deficit" while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, I can tell you that most of the people, including myself at the time...just need a little discipline. Or in my case...a lot.

2) What is your authority to make such a decision?

First. personal experience.

As I said, I was diagnosed with a condition, prescribed medication, and while in another state ran out of that medication. The fog lifted, I came home, went back to work (could not while on the meds), a few months later was saved, and ten years later went into business for myself.

The diagnosis was wrong.

Another would be my nephew. He was diagnosed ADHD, and they wanted my brother to put him on meds to "calm him down." Told my brother, "He's just a red-blooded American kid, no different than we were when we were kids." took him out of public school (one of the things not afforded me when I was a kid), gave a more disciplined structure to his life, and anyone that meets him today remarks that he is without doubt one of the most laid-back people one could wish to meet.

All without drugs, and a steady diet of the Word of God.

Secondly...we see in Scripture that drug use is not something that is presented in a favorable light. And when we look at history, we see the inclusion of drug use in pagan ritual,. all with the intent of "communing with the gods." I can understand, in that culture, taking a little wine for medicinal purposes, but drug use?

Lastly, what we do see in Scripture is an unquestionable sense of discipline within the family unit. Proper training is not accomplished through discipline (in the sense of punishment for wrong behavior) as the first course of action, but neither is it, as our liberal friends want us to think...something we do away with.

3) Can you point out specific Scriptures that would concur with your view?

Would it make that much of a difference? The Scripture I would present as the basis for my views would not necessarily be taken by you as a good basis.

So I would just ask you...do you think that Scripture negates the need for discipline in the family structure? Do children have the right to run rampant and that a parent should medicate them rather than discipline them?

If you are an "aged man," lol, then you might remember how things used to be. I disapprove of how some of the discipline was enforced (like slapping a child) but some of it I can look back and actually appreciate it. Had a step-father who disciplined with a belt. And I have no hard feelings against him to this day, and really didn't then...because I knew I had goofed up, lol.

For the record and to tease some to contribute, I flatly reject that kind of thinking/teaching as ignorant and self serving and definitely not found in Scriptures.

To each his own. I am, just because of the experience I have had with it, and what I have witnessed in others that are medicated, very much against psych meds. I understand sometimes there is a need, but the trend today is to medicate first because for many parents...it's just easier.

It's an excuse.

It's no better than letting Disney movies babysit our children.

Can you show me by Scriptures I am in error?

Wouldn't even attempt it. This is just a basic Bible Principle that, if you are not familiar with it, an attempt to "proof-text " it would likely only offend.

I am confident I could present a Biblical Basis, and think it highly likely the resource you have mentioned lists them all, lol. If you really want to see if your view can be challenged, probably that resource would be a better place to start.

And if you're looking for justification and think you will get it in a public consensus, then I am not sure just how well a Biblical Presentation would be received. You might think your getting "beat up with the Bible," lol.


God bless.

 

[Darrell C]

However, medical professionals are under very strict guidelines and have for decades had to submit any medication prescriptions involving narcotic ingredients to the DEA types. Pharmacists must report the dispense of these drugs and they are tracked to specific people for specific causes.

Is that why all the commercials say things like "If you experience nausea, bleeding, or your head explodes cease using the drug and consult your physician"? lol

God bless.

 

[Darrell C]

So you are saying I should reject medications that help me get a better night sleep? Without the medications I have a real problem falling and staying asleep as I have a sleep disorder called insomnia.

He was specific about mind altering substances. Most sleep aids are not. Most sleep aids have diphenhydramine which is the active ingredient in Benadryl, something I have used in the past due to high allergic reaction to bee stings, which has actually reverted again to when I was a kid, and was stung often without the reaction.

Now that I think about it I was on other drugs then, and wonder if that may been a part of why I became allergic in my early twenties.

As far as he insomnia, I too have an issue with that, and what I do is listen to books on tape to help me sleep.


God bless.

 

[JonC]

Reject any medication that does not allow you to maintain the mind of Christ.

Doctors are notorious for prescribing stuff that causes hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, mood swings etc.

Don't do it.

The enemy has attacked so many lives when folks have been under the influence of something.

So you are saying I should reject medications that help me get a better night sleep? Without the medications I have a real problem falling and staying asleep as I have a sleep disorder called insomnia.

How on earth did you get from "don't take medication that does not all you to maintain the mind of Christ" to "reject sleep medication"?

 

[Darrell C]

I definitely agree that there are chemical components to many mental illnesses and I also agree that there are often behavioral/sin issues involved in many "mental illnesses". So I think a two-pronged approach is appropriate.

But what is the trend: drugs, or discipline. Many parents today are afraid to discipline.


God bless.

 

[Gina B]

I was shocked to find out some seizure/migraine medications are the same used to treat bi-polar and such.
Even more of a shock came when I had to stop taking one after developing a reaction to it. I had no clue that it was affecting my personality and thoughts until I started feeling like myself again once it was out of my system.

I have been very adverse to taking medication since then. I don't have much of a choice though, so I try to keep to those that are not as geared toward affecting mental status, and I give myself time off of them to evaluate effects that I may not be aware of.

I don't think it's wrong, but such meds are overused, and I feel patients are not given enough information, so we have to take responsibility for researching them ourselves, and try better alternatives when possible.

One med I've learned to be careful on is not even one of those - it's prednisone. I have to take it off and on, and the stuff makes me feel very angry when I go off it, and since it's not okay to act on that, I sometimes end up weeping hysterically while alone, and feeling bad about being alive. If I had NOT researched that medication, I would not know or understand why it was happening, and would think I really felt that way. Since I know, I can control it better and remind myself that it goes away.

It can be a tough position for a believer. I personally have weighed the cost and decided how to proceed. I think that is the best one can do. Figure out if it is needed and if it is, proceed with extreme caution - preferably with the help of someone who is willing to be honest with you about changes they see and point out possible issues you may not realize are becoming a problem.

 

[salzer mtn]

So you are saying I should reject medications that help me get a better night sleep? Without the medications I have a real problem falling and staying asleep as I have a sleep disorder called insomnia.

The best medicine for insomnia is a dose of a hard days work.

 

[Deacon]

General Observations

Medicine is an ever-learning, ever-changing science.

Life is precious, choose life.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die...

Infirmity and age provoke some odd ethical situations (e.g. 1 Kings 1:1–4)

With great power, there must also come great responsibility.

Alcohol can be used for joy and for wickedness.

Rob

 

[Darrell C]

The best medicine for insomnia is a dose of a hard days work.

That is not always true. When my days are 10-14 hours in extreme heat, when I get home I can find I am just too tired to fall asleep, strange as that may sound.

One suggestion I can present is that when we eat our digestion kicks in and we feel tired afterwards as a result. While it is not a good idea to go to sleep on a full stomach, neither is not getting rest, which can have extremely disastrous consequences.

So take advantage of the body's natural reaction to digestion and go to sleep not long after eating. Don't make it a habit as I have done over the years, but once in a while it might be a natural way to get to sleep and get some rest.


God bless.

 

[Darrell C]

And I have also heard nasp can rejuvenate us as well as a long sleep. Not sure how true that is but the older I get, the more I appreciate a good nap, lol.

When I was a kid I couldn't understand my Granpa sleeping in the middle of the day, but now I understand perfectly.

When we moved to Alaska and were told we had to go to bed when it was full daylight out, it was difficult to get used to.

In winter time we really did walk to school in the snow, uphill, and in the dark...both ways.


God bless.