MENTAL ILLNESS & GOD - NYOBS 80.22

MENTAL ILLNESS & GOD

Depression - Schizophrenia – Bipolar disorder - Manic depression – PTSD - Demonic

First Word

·         Mental Illness is still an emerging science considering that today over 25 percent of adults experience a diagnosable mental illness as well as millions of children and teenagers.

·         Most folks that have a mental illness, who are suffering from depression and anxiety disorders and other common conditions look just like our neighbors, they look like our friends sitting next to us in church.

·         We as a nation see MEDICAL illness as normal in our everyday life, but when it comes to MENTAL illness there is something about it that is different; something that often keeps us from seeking the same level of professional help.  – In short that “something” is STIGMA.

·         Because of STIGMA we respond differently to mental illness than we do to medical afflictions.  Most tend to consider those afflicted as “Incapable” of contributing to our communities and sometimes we distrust them around our family. - We relegate them to the fringe of society, systematically blocking them or denying them the full access to opportunities and resources that would normally be available like; housing, employment, healthcare and due process.

·         As Believers we should be filled with compassion for those suffering from mental illness as it is a PRISON OF THE MIND. – The discussion of mental illness deserves a genuine heart felt presentation that brings to light an understanding of the multiplicity of mental disorders.  Many times mental disorders are presented with glib statements and one shot remedies like “YOU JUST NEED TO HAVE MORE FAITH” or “GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER” or “GET HOLD OF YOURSELF”.  As a layperson, I can observe a Medical Condition and conclude a professional should be consulted, but a Mental Condition often cannot be observed as it has UNSEEN Chains of Infirmity.

·         I believe Jesus was addressing Mental Illness when He said “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. – Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. - A man said to Jesus; IF YOU WANT TO, you can make me well and Jesus moved with compassion touched him and said, “I WANT TO”.

• There were many Doctors during New Testament times and there was never a rebuke from Jesus found in the scriptures concerning doctors.   In fact Luke who was a Disciple was also a Doctor.  Doctors give hope. – Hope is good medicine. -  We should pray for wisdom for our doctors, then pray over our medicine - Then take our medicine in thanksgiving.

·         Why do we treat Mental Disorders differently from Medical issues?  You certainly would seek medical attention if you broke your arm; why would you not also seek out a doctor for a mental disorder. 

·         Because mental disorders affect your logic and thinking, you should seek a CHRISTIAN PROFESSIONAL who practices in this area. - A co-worker who was having an affair “crashed” with deep depression and could not function; so he consulted a physiatrist.  The doctor recommended that TO GET BETTER he should GO AFTER HER and CONTINUE the affair. – GOOD GRIEF – You deserve Biblical help. –

·         It is the WILL of God that you are healed. - A young man told Jesus that He could heal him IF HE WANTED TO and Jesus replied… I WANT TO.

Matthew 11:28-30 – If your mind is heavy find rest in the Lord
²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, ALL OF YOU WHO ARE WEARY and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, & YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Mark 1:40-41 – It is the WILL of God that we are healed

40 IF YOU WANT TO, you can make me well

41 and Jesus moved with compassion touched him and said,        

I WANT TO - LB

Mark 5:26 – There were many doctors in the time of Jesus

26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. NIV

Proverbs 1:5 – True guidance comes from Christian Professionals
⁵ Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, (ESV)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – Christian Professionals know God’s Word
¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Faith & Wellness scales

• Dr. Marytn Lloyd-Jones, a Medical Doctor and a Pastor sharing from a Doctor’s point of view; says man is created with a pair of “Wellness Scales” build inside.  Our bodies have bad cloistral and good cloistral; we have germs and we have antibodies.  When the scale tips to the sick side, the good side seeks to balance the scales by producing the antibodies needed; this is going on 24/7 and we have no clue.
• Vaccinations are a tiny invasion of germs that the body sees trying to tip the scales and this produces the needed antibodies.  Antibiotics do the same thing, they tip the scales back. - Lots of things can tip the scales and cause us to get sick.  Accidents – germs – infections - stress – fatigue – depression – hurt – guilt – fear – malnutrition – alcohol – tobacco - drugs.
• What you see and think also activates the “Wellness Center” to balance the scales.  If you believe you will get better, your mechanism works overtime to balance the scales.  If you think you won’t, the mechanism just takes a break. 
• My friend Ginger, because of her prayers of faith, beat cancer three times; bladder, abdomen and mandible.  I have another friend who got cancer and ask people at church to pray that he would go ahead and die.  He did. - I can remember praying for a “brain dead” friend to live - her family was in the next room praying she would go ahead and die. -  She lived; is normal, got married and has a family today. Unbelief and doubt can steal our health.

·         Our responsibility is to pray in FAITH the prayer of life, for both the body, soul and mind. – We are not responsible for the outcome of our prayers; that is the work of the Holy Spirit. So here’s where we are:  The man who doesn’t believe he will receive spiritual healing and the man who does - are both right.  We walk by our FAITH, not by our EXPERIENCE. - IT’S IN THE BOOK

2 Corinthians 5:7 – We walk by our FAITH not by our experience
⁷ for we walk by faith, not by sight. (ESV)

Paul was a Nut Case

·          The Apostille Paul had what he called a Thorn in the Flesh.  There is much speculation as to what kind of physical illness this was and I will throw my two cents worth in the ring as well.

·          I believe Paul had a mental illness as he was tormented daily by anything that distracted from the Gospel message.  - I think it is noteworthy to observe that the Book says Paul’s TORMENTING SPIRIT WAS SENT BY SATAN, not by God. - The people made Paul’s “Spirit Filled Life” all about him personally and not about God. - Everywhere he went, there was talk about him as a god; "The gods have come down to us in human form!" - Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker

·          When Paul saved a number of men from a ship wreck; a poisonous snake bit him, and when it didn’t kill him they called him a god.

·          A young girl who had the gift of seeing the future would run before him shouting good things about him.  The thought that his teaching were being put on the same level as “Fortune Telling” tormented Paul. -  NYOBS 13.02 – HEALING  SCRIPTURES

·          Now as Paul made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are beside yourself! Your much learning has driven you MAD!"

2 Corinthians 12:7 - Paul had a thorn in the flesh
⁷ Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, A MESSENGER FROM SATAN to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

(NLT)

Acts 16:16-18 – Paul - Fortune telling girl - Spirit of divination
¹⁶ Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
¹⁷ This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation."
¹⁸ And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. (NKJV)

Acts 28:5-6 – When Paul did not die, thought he was a god

5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. NIV

Acts 14:12 – They called Paul the god Hermes
¹² And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. (NKJV)

Acts 14:11 – Paul is a god come down from heaven

11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!"

Acts 26:24 – Paul is deemed CRAZY a nut case
²⁴ Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are beside yourself!

MUCH LEARNING IS DRIVING YOU MAD!"  (NKJV)

God’s Will

• Mental Illness is a Spirit of Infirmity; The Book says sickness is identified as an oppression of Satan. - Luke, one of the disciples and a doctor said that sickness is a demonic curse. 
• Sickness is a result of fallen sinful man; Jesus the Christ was sent to redeem us AND heal us from the curse of sickness, the two go hand in hand. - Jesus says He only does the things the Father has told Him to do.  - He healed ALL that came to him without exception. So it is the WILL of God’s that we be healed. - IT’S IN THE BOOK

Genesis 3:16-19 – Sickness was part of the fall of man

16 To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."

17 To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, `You must not eat of it,'

"Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.

18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.

19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." NIV

John 5:19 – God the Son did what He saw God the Father do

19 The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. NIV

John 14:31 – Jesus did what the Father said to do

31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

NIV

John 5:30 – Jesus did the will of the Father

30 I seek not my own will, but THE WILL of the Father which hath sent me. KJV

Acts 10:38 – Sickness is from Satan

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing ALL that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. KJV

1 John 3:8 – Jesus came to destroy the works of Satan

8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. KJV

Matthew 9:35 – Jesus cured every sickness

35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing EVERY sickness and EVERY disease among the people. KJV

Matthew 6:9-10 – Jesus said pray the Father’s Will to be done

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, as it is in heaven. KJV

Luke 13:11-13 – A Spirit of Infirmity

11 And, behold, there was a woman that had a SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.

13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. KJV

Depression - Spirit of infirmity

• There are invisible chains of infirmity that are not physical.  You can’t see them, but the bondage is ever present.  - It can move around your body exhibiting headaches, backaches, chest pains, upset stomach, nausea, dizziness, sadness, depression, stress, fear, rage, paranoia and even cause you to exhibit different personalities.
• This suffering is not really a physical sickness; so medical treatment gives minor relief, if any. – I see this even in the church. – A spirit of infirmity attaching itself outwardly hoping to gain entrance though discouragement, depression and loss of faith.  – For sure, it’s not God trying to teach you something.

·         Depression is a state of low mood with symptoms that may include being notably sad, anxious, or empty; being hopeless, helpless, dejected, or worthless and may include senses of guilt, irritability and anger.

·         Some express insomnia or excessive sleeping, others vocalize general aches, pains, and digestive problems with fatigue and reduced energy.

·         A troubling childhood can result in depression in adulthood; some causes might include unequal parental treatment of siblings or neglect, mental abuse or physical abuse, and perhaps even sexual abuse.

·         Depression among adolescents, is a leading cause of increased risk of smoking, substance abuse and obesity as well as educational and social impairments; it is one of the major causes of suicide.

·         People who may have gender identity or sexual orientation are MORE PRONE to depression.  Having been an approachable Human Recourse Manager, it was common for LGBT employees to share with me their troubling emotions of hopelessness, worthlessness and despair, it was not uncommon for me to give medical aid where they had CUT themselves to get what they called a “release”, plus it also got them the ATTENTION that they inwardly craved.

• Christians cannot be inwardly possessed; only messed with. - Demonic “attacks” will not succeed in the life of the believer – It will eventually fail. - It is God’s will that you are healed. – Concerning Demonic Attacks; Prayer, the Word and “Faith” are the only remedy.  - IT’S IN THE BOOK

Luke 13:11 – A spirit of infirmity

11 There was a woman which had A SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. KJV

Isaiah 54:17 – Demon attacks will not succeed – they will fail

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, NKJV

Mark 1:40-41 – Jesus said He wants us healed.

40 Then a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You want to, You can heal me”

41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I want to”; be cleansed." LB

Mental Disorders

·         Gelastic Epilepsy or Gelastic Seizure, is a rare type of seizure that involves a sudden burst of energy that usually lasts for less than a minute.  It is usually in the form of outburst of LAUGHING or CRYING. This syndrome usually occurs for no obvious reason and is uncontrollable. – It is usually caused by a brain tumor.

·         Pseudobulbar affect PBA or Emotional Incontinence is a type of emotional disturbance characterized by sudden, frequent, extreme, uncontrollable emotional outbursts of crying and/or laughing.  Patients may find themselves crying uncontrollably at something that is only moderately sad, being unable to stop themselves for several minutes. 

·         While not profoundly disabling it can significantly influence the individuals' social functions which may lead to severe embarrassment so as to avoid social interactions resulting in social withdrawal.  It can interfere with daily activities and social and professional pursuits.

·         Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression, is a mental disorder that causes periods of depression and periods of elevated mood.  Neither term appears in the Book, but there are scriptures that we can apply to mental illness. - This mental illness is characterized by severe mood swings which go far beyond simply being just “HAPPY” or “SAD.”  

·         The Happy mood can display racing thoughts, forced speech, feelings of extreme euphoria, increased energy and even risk-taking.

·         The Sad mood can include loss of appetite, fatigue, lethargy, unable to concentrate, feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness, morbid thoughts and sometimes suicide.

·         The most severe type can even include psychotic symptoms such as hearing voices or hallucinations; seeing things that are not there. – Just before my mother died of cancer, she would see rats running up the wall.  As a teenager, it just made me laugh at her, till my sister jerked me up by the arm and explained the seriousness of her disorder.  

·         We don’t really know what causes bipolar disorder and there is no proof-positive test for the disorder. –The best professionals can do is to diagnose based on the kind of symptoms that are displayed by the person which diagnosis is not without its own controversy.

·         Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are those that have experienced traumatic events causing them to have anxiety, depression, flashbacks, nightmares or intrusive memories when something terrible happens. – Fear triggers split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger, it becomes a “Fight or Flight” response.

·         OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is characterized by obsessive thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors.   It is a mental disorder where people feel the need to check things repeatedly, perform certain routines repeatedly.  Their thoughts are anxiety-provoking, invasive and feel uncontrollable, compelling the person to carry out certain behaviors that helps them temporarily relieve the anxiety.

·         Common activities include counting things, and checking to see if a door is locked.  Both Anxiety Thoughts and Compulsive Routines interfere with daily life to varying degrees. -- In the Book, the word WORRY is mentioned 36 times with the consistent warning to NOT worry. - Worry obstructs faith and the power of prayer and therefore is SIN. - Christian counseling, combined with medication PLUS reading the Book greatly helps, by recalling the truths of scripture.

·         Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is often mistaken for what was once called split personality or multiple personality disorder.  It is characterized most commonly by hearing voices that others do not; unclear or confused thinking, hallucinations, and abnormal social behavior, reduced social engagement, failure to understand reality, disorganized thinking, lack of motivation and at times, paranoia. -  It is a debilitating affliction causing disruption of the quality of life and the ability to function.  

·         Some believe schizophrenia is spiritual warfare, as in DEMON POSSESSION. This comes from accounts in the Bible where people’s symptoms MIRROR schizophrenia.

Daniel 4:33 – Nebuchadnezzar was insane for seven years
³³ Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. (NIV2011)

James 2:1-4 - Mental illness - be treated the same as Medical
¹ My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
² For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes.
³ If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well,
⁴ doesn’t this DISCRIMINATION show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? (NLT)

John 17:17 – God’s Word is Truth – Will make you Holy
¹⁷ Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. (NLT)

Demon Possession

·         Can demon possession be the cause of mental illness? - In many cases, it is possible for a person to have both a mental illness and spiritual issues.

·         Before we jump into demons, it is believed that most prevalent psychiatric disorders may have more to do with Environmental Stress, Psychological and Biological Vulnerability, or Social Deprivation rather than demonic attacks, however when medical science does not address the human problems, we struggle to find an explanation for these experiences.

·         Mental illness is multifactorial in which social, psychological and physical and spiritual, factors may all play a part while demon possession is primarily a spiritual problem. - When science does not have a convincing answer, we tend to look elsewhere and consider possible links to demonic activity. Sometimes mental illness displays symptoms similar with the description of demon possession as found in the Book.

·         The Book records daily encounters with demonic activity where Jesus gave His followers the authority to cast out these demons; that authority has not been recalled.

• Demons:  A distressing spirit; they can possess a person and alter their personality.  Also known as an unclean spirit; You can be possessed by more than one; They can render you mute as well as blind; They can cause epileptic seizures; Throw you to the floor, bruise you, make your body rigid, foam at the mouth, cause you to grind your teeth. – They can cause sickness; insanity, give you great strength for destruction. -. Before leaving a person they try to do as much damage as possible hoping you will give up, lose FAITH and not receive your healing.  – The blood of Jesus Christ gave us authority over ALL of them.

·         Demonic Characteristics - Access to hidden knowledge, the revelation of distant or hidden knowledge that you cannot possibly know. -  Speaking in foreign languages unknown to you (xenoglossy). - Drastic changes in vocal intonation and facial structure, the sudden appearance of injuries such as scratches, bite marks or lesions, and superhuman strength.  – Blasphemous rage, profanity, obscene hand gestures and an aversion to Holy symbols.

·         Today we don’t speak of DEMONS very much, but I see their activity in ISIS terrorism, beheadings, bombings and drive by shootings, school shootings and suicide bombers. – We are reluctant to say demons and just say that they were not in their right mind.

·         A Christian cannot be possessed by a demon. - When you have the Holy Spirit within you, no demon can enter. – However, I must say that a Christian can have a demon hanging on them causing oppression. – IT’S IN THE BOOK -

Mark 16:17 – We will cast out demons in the name of Jesus
¹⁷ These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe:

THEY WILL CAST OUT DEMONS in my name, and they will speak in new languages. (NLT)

1Samuel 16:14 – Tormenting Spirit - Depression
¹⁴  Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and the LORD sent a TORMENTING SPIRIT that filled him with DEPRESSION and fear. (NLT)

Matthew 9:32-33 – Mute Spirit cast out – began to speak
³² When they left, a demon-possessed man who COULDN’T SPEAK was brought to Jesus.
³³ So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed. (NLT)

Matthew 17:15 – Spirit of Epilepsy
¹⁵ Lord, have mercy on my son. He has SEIZURES and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. (NLT)

Mark 1:23-24 – Spirit of Evil
²³ Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an EVIL SPIRIT began shouting,
²⁴ Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One sent from God!” (NLT)

Mark 3:22 – Teachers knew that sickness was from Satan
²² But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “HE’S POSSESSED BY SATAN, THE PRINCE OF DEMONS. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.” (NLT)

Mark 9:18 – Spirit of Epilepsy
¹⁸ And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he FOAMS AT THE MOUTH and GRINDS HIS TEETH and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the EVIL SPIRIT, but they couldn’t do it.”

(NLT)

Luke 8:2 – Mary Magdalene had seven demonic spirits
² along with some women he had healed and from whom he had cast out evil spirits. Among them were MARY MAGDALENE, from whom he had CAST OUT SEVEN DEMONS;

(NLT)

Luke 8:27-29 – Demons can completely control a person
²⁷ As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was POSSESSED BY DEMONS came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town.
²⁸ As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!”
²⁹ For Jesus had already commanded the EVIL SPIRIT to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, COMPLETELY UNDER THE DEMON’S POWER.

(NLT)

Luke 9:39 – Spirit of Epilepsy
³⁹ An EVIL SPIRIT keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him into CONVULSIONS so that he foams at the mouth. It batters him and hardly ever leaves him alone.

(NLT)

Demon Background

• Demon is from the Greek word daimon – In the KJV it is translated Devil – The Jewish traditional roots indicate that demons were the forces of darkness and wickedness and their leader is Satan. – The names Devil and Satan are virtually synonymous.
• The evil spirits or demons that live today are the same spirits from the first earth age – moving from person to person, killing, stealing and destroying as they go. - They do not consist of matter or material body or substance – They are without physical existence in themselves, but they belong as property or a thing to Satan. - They are invisible and operate above the laws of nature – Have supernatural intelligence and knowledge along with terrible physical strength which they impart to those possessed. - NYOBS 17.16 - OTHER FLOOD
• A demon spirit needs a moist place to find rest and attempts to take over humans as well as animals. – They have a need to possess a person’s mind and body to enable them to get around.  - A person can have more than one demon – Scripture says one man had a legion of demons (6,000) - They were sent into 2,000 pigs which promptly committed suicide...
• Demons in scripture are called, unclean spirits, familiar spirits, demons and devils.  – They are spiritual beings with personalities, intelligence and strength. – They rob you of your personality and your mind; making you sick and deranged mentally. – They cause defects, deformities and suicidal tendencies. – NYOBS 11.16 – DEMONS - IT’S IN THE BOOK

Ephesians 6:12 - Demons are not flesh and blood

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

KJV

Matthew 12:43 – A demon spirit needs a moist place to find rest

43 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through DRY PLACES, seeking rest, and finds none.

NKJV

Mark 5:12 – Demons desire even an animal – a moist place

12 The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them. NIV

Revelation 16:13 – Demons are known as unclean spirits

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. KJV

Mark 16:9 – Many demons can possess a person at a time

9 When Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

KJV

Mark 5:8-9 – Perhaps thousands can possess a person

8 For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"

9 Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." NIV

Mark 16:17 - They can be cast out of a person

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; KJV

Matt 10:8 – The believer is authorized to cast out demons

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. KJV

Demon Spirit Identification

• Demonic Spirit Names or Types - Angel of Light – Dragon – Roaring Lion – Blind Spirit – Binding Spirit - Deaf and Dumb Spirit - Familiar Spirit – Foul Spirit – Jealous Spirit – Lying Spirit – Seducing Spirit – Spirit of Infirmity – Unclean Spirit (used 22 times)
• Christian have power and authority over all demons, but they must know about it to exercise it. While Satan cannot read our minds, he is UNLIMITED in his deceptions and lies.  The Book says don’t believe everything that you see or hear, but to “Test the Spirits”.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 – Angel of Light

14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an ANGEL OF LIGHT.

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. NKJV

Revelation 12:7 – Called a Dragon

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the DRAGON; and the dragon and his angels fought,

NKJV

1 Peter 5:8 – Called a Roaring Lion

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, AS a ROARING LION, walks about, seeking whom he MAY devour:

KJV

Matthew 12:22 – Blind spirit

22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, BLIND and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. NKJV

Mark 9:25 – Deaf and Dumb spirit

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "DEAF AND DUMB SPIRIT, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!"

NKJV

Leviticus 20:27 – Familiar spirit

27 A man or a woman who is a medium, or who has FAMILIAR SPIRITS, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones. Their blood shall be upon them.' NKJV

Mark 9:25 – Foul spirit

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the FOUL SPIRIT, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

KJV

Numbers 5:14 – Jealous spirit

14 And the SPIRIT OF JEALOUSY come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:

KJV

1 Kings 22:22 – Lying spirit

22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a LYING SPIRIT in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shall persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so

KJV

1 Timothy 4:1 – Seducing spirit

1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to SEDUCING SPIRITS, and doctrines of devils;

KJV

Luke 13:11 – Infirmity spirit

11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could not lift herself up

Matthew 12:43 – Unclean spirit

43 When the UNCLEAN SPIRIT is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

KJV

Matthew 17:15 – They cause epilepsy and seizers - lunacy

15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is LUNATIC, and sore vexed: for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water.

KJV

Mark 5:9 – Many demons can occupy a person

9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My NAME IS LEGION: for we are MANY.

KJV

Luke 13:16 – Devils can bind you for life

16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath BOUND, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?

KJV

1 John 4:1 – Test the spirits

1 Do not believe every spirit, but Test the Spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

KJV

John 10:10 – Demons steal, kill and destroy.

10 The thief (Satan, devils) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. NIV

Soul Body & Spirit

·         If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you have no right to judge someone with mental issues, if you do, you are taking sides with the “Accuser of the Brethren” which is Satan.  Our job is to OBEY THE LAW, not to criticize others.

·         There are three ways to look at Mental Illness. – One of the three is the cause.

·         SOUL - Mental illness is psychobullcrapo. THERE'S NO SUCH THING as mental illnesses it is just an excuse for SINFUL and DESTRUCTIVE behavior; the cure is to repent of your bad behavior.

·         BODY - Mental illness is a physiological disorder. The brain is a PHYSICAL ORGAN that can have chemical imbalances similar to hypertension; high blood pressure. – The cure is medicine, a good diet and exercise.

·         SPIRIT - Mental illness is demonic in origin. The cure is to PRAY and seek Biblical truths.

·         You can open doors for demonic activity with things in your home like pornography, Ouija Boards, séances, tarot cards, astrology, drug abuse and illegal drug paraphernalia, demonic music, false religious materials like New Age crystals, the Watchtower Magazine and the Book of Mormon. – PRAY and confess these things as SIN; block certain TV channels, and remove all cult material and objects from your home.  NYOBS 14.02 - ANOTHER GOSPEL

·         Pray aloud, confessing specific past sins then repent and STOP doing them, consider anointing the door posts of your home with olive oil; anointing each room and closet of your home.  If need be, call the elders of your church to lay hands on you and anoint you with oil. - NYOBS 14.14 - NEW AGE MOVEMENT -

Revelation 12:10 – Satan judges; Is the accuser of the Brethren
¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who ACCUSES THEM BEFORE OUR GOD DAY AND NIGHT.

(NLT)

James 4:11 – Don’t criticize and judge about Mental Illness
¹¹ DON’T SPEAK EVIL against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you CRITICIZE AND JUDGE each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But YOUR JOB IS TO OBEY THE LAW, NOT TO JUDGE whether it applies to you.

(NLT)

1 Thessalonians 5:23 – We are Spirit, Soul and Body
²³ Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. (NLT)  

Hebrews 4:12 – The Word of God can separate the Soul & Spirit
¹² For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between SOUL and SPIRIT, between joint and marrow (BODY).  It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

(NLT)

1 John 4:4 – The Holy Spirit is Greater than demonic spirits
⁴ But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. (NLT)

Last Thoughts

• Un-forgiveness is a curse on our bodies.  It takes a toll on our health.  We can carry a grudge for many years and the other person doesn’t even know it; but our body is eaten up. - Un-forgiveness hinders our prayers to the Father and IS A CURSE ON OUR BODY.

·         Histrionic Personality Disorder HPD is characterized by a pattern of excessive attention-seeking emotions, usually beginning in early adulthood, including an excessive need for APPROVAL. They express strong emotions, thrive on ATTENTION and most of the time find themselves in some kind of DRAMA.  – HPD is diagnosed four times as often in Women.

·         There is a persistent MANIPULATIVE BEHAVIOR to achieve their own needs. – They are self-indulgence and are continuous longing for APPRECIATION - They are EASILY influenced by others and blown about by ever wind of doctrine, embracing the next social issue that draws attention to them. . – Many exhibit sexually provocative behavior.

·         Some people may be guilty of MALINGERING (Faking or Exaggerating their symptoms). Malingering is the fabricating of symptoms of mental or physical disorders for a variety of reasons such as financial compensation or avoiding church, school, work or military service or to obtain drugs.  Post-traumatic stress disorder is also faked by malingerers.

·         King David pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard in order to save his life.

·         Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as Bipolar Disorder is sometimes embraced as a BADGE OF PRIDE, being used as an EXCUSE for sinful actions or destructive behavior.  I have a friend who will not go to church because he says he’s afraid the building will fall in on him. - Jesus saw a man in need of healing and asked the question; “Do you WANT to be healed?”  Perhaps already knowing what was really in his heart and mind.

·         Some people like where they are, they love the ATTENTION. They don’t want to work, and EXPECT others to do things for them, to give them money, food and clothes. -   Life is good right where they are. – I often gave yard work to a Christian friend, who is Mentally Challenged.   He told me that his friends would not work because they could make a week’s pay in just a few hours in the Wal-Mart parking lot just by asking for money.

·         The best cons ran on me was; “Sir, Would you buy my socks so I can get some money to eat.” – And I get this one often; “I was on the way home and ran out of gas, could you spare a little change for just a gallon of gas”. - Its players like this that causes the “down and out” and folks with “mental illness” to be taken so lightly, not to mention the jokes coming out from the entertainment industry.

·         God saw us before we were born and watched us being formed in the womb and recorded every moment of our lives before they ever happened, therefore He is not surprised by our physical and mental afflictions, but uses our suffering to qualify us for ministry to others and to make us more like Him; with compassion.  

·         If you are suffering from mental illness don't try to deal with it all on your own. 

a)   Find other people to help you.  Find safe places, support groups like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) specifically created for loved ones of people with mental illness. 

b)   Seek Christian Professional counselors who can help you make sense of your own suffering. Walking Biblically through mental illness alongside someone else will give you confidence in your own spiritual health.

c)   Pray about your suffering asking God to help you understand his truth about your situation.

d)   Face and seek answers to your spiritual questions, you are not the first one to ask.

e)   Do everything you can to maintain a healthy and strong body. – Eat sensibly and exercise.

- It’s in the Book -

Ephesians 4:14 - Blown about by every wind of new teaching
¹⁴ Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

(NLT)

1 Samuel 21:12-13 – David pretended to be mentally ill
¹² David heard these comments and was very afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him.
¹³ So he PRETENDED TO BE INSANE, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.

(NLT)

John 5:6 – Do you REALLY want to be healed
⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you WANT to be healed?”

(ESV)

Psalm 139:15-16 – Your afflictions are not a surprise to God
¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
¹⁶ You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

(NLT)

Mark 11:25 – Forgive so you may be forgiven

25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

NIV

Matthew 6:15 – If you do not forgive – Neither will the Father

15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

NIV

Acts 8:22-23 – Bitterness in your hearts is sin

22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.

23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and CAPTIVE TO SIN."

NIV

Colossians 3:13-14 – Put on love – forgive others

13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

NIV

Matthew 6:12 – Forgive as you want God to forgive you

12 Forgive us our debts, AS we also have forgiven our debtors.

NIV

In the multitude of counselors,

there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical

information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders

                         and see further that I otherwise ever could have.              

                                                                                                                                     

A Commentary; Critical, Experimental and Practical - Eerdmans

All the Women of the Bible – Edith Deen

Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius Josephus Matthias

Apocrypha – Goodspeed

Bad Girls of the Bible - Higgs

Baker Commentary on the Bible – Elwell

Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White

Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer

Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row

Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake

English Standard Version Bible – ESV

Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein

Forgotten Books of Eden; The – World

Girls of the Bible- Harvey Albert Snyder

Gospels Interwoven; The – Karmit Zarley

Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The – Tyndale

Interlinear Greek-English New Testament – Baker

Invisible War; The – Donald Grey Barnhouse

King James Version Bible – KJV

Lost Books of the Bible; The - World

Lost Books of the Bible; The - Bell

Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan

Missing Books of the Bible; The – Halo Press

Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest

Nag Hammadi Library; The – James M. Robinson

Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan

New International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas - Tenney

New International Version Bible (2011) – NIV

NOTE: The “new” NIV has been corrupted & made gender neutral.  AVOID IT.

New Living Translation Bible - NLT

Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls – Hugh J. Schonfield

Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee

Vincent’s Word Studies of the New Testament – Mac Donald

Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner

Wycliffe Bible Commentary; The – Pfeiffer & Harrison

Wikipedia –

Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney