Teenager cutting herself

[Jim Cross]

My family is currently counceling my niece after she was approached about cutting herself. So far we have been relying on love and support based scriptures to bless her and show our love for her. Has anyone studied scripture or know of scripture that speaks to this self affliction?

 

[Saint2be27]

You can do a search on this site and find several threads, one of which is this one....
http://www.christianforums.com/t75823-cutting.html

I know there is scripture that would be relevant, so far one I have found is 1Corinth 6:19...'your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you....'

 

[Saint2be27]

Lev 19:28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tatoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.

Per the MacArthur Study bible notes to that scripture explain, "These pagan practices were most likely associated with Egyptian idolatry and were therefore to be avoided. The practice of making deep gashes on the face and arms or legs, in times of grief, was universal among pagans. It was seen as a mark of respect for the dead, as well as a sort of propitiatory offering to the gods who presided over death. The Jews learned this custom in Egypt and, though weaned from it, relapsed into the old superstition.

Jer 16:6-7 Both the great and the small shall die in this land. They shall not be buried; neither shall men lament for them, cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them.

These acts indicate extreme grief.

Jer 47:5 Baldness has come upon Gaza, Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley. How long will you cut yourself? "O you sword of the Lord, how long until you are quiet? Put yourself up into your scabbard, rest and be still!" (definition of scabbard - a knife or razor)

Should she bring up Jesus fulfilling the OT law in Matt 5:17-19 and the OT doesn't apply to us today... I believe Jesus did fulfill the OT law meaning that we are bound by the OT laws unless we are instructed otherwise in the NT.

I pray the Lord lead you to words and understanding for your niece, that you will be able to lead her, guide her and comfort her, and lead her to the Lord for help in this.

 

[Godsgirl481]

I'm a cutter. My family had no clue until eventually I told one family member and he told everyone else. My dad doesn't understand it and he doesn't like it being brough up...so we just sorta ignore it. I haven't cut in about 16 months now, but I still have strong urges to cut....takes a lot to fight those urges sometimes

 

[madison1101]

Who I Am In Christ
​

I am accepted...



John 1:12

I am God's child.



John 15:15

As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.



Romans 5:1

I have been justified.



1 Corinthians 6:17

I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.



1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.



1 Corinthians 12:27

I am a member of Christ's body.



Ephesians 1:3-8

I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.



Colossians 1:13-14

I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.



Colossians 2:9-10

I am complete in Christ.



Hebrews 4:14-16

I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.











I am secure...



Romans 8:1-2

I am free from condemnation.



Romans 8:28

I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.



Romans 8:31-39

I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God.



2 Corinthians 1:21-22

I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.



Colossians 3:1-4

I am hidden with Christ in God.



Philippians 1:6

I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.



Philippians 3:20

I am a citizen of heaven.



2 Timothy 1:7

I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.



1 John 5:18

I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.











I am significant...



John 15:5

I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.



John 15:16

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.



1 Corinthians 3:16

I am God's temple.



2 Corinthians 5:17-21

I am a minister of reconciliation for God.



Ephesians 2:6

I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.



Ephesians 2:10

I am God's workmanship.



Ephesians 3:12

I may approach God with freedom and confidence.



Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

​

​

This is from Neil Anderson's "Who I am In Christ."

 

[lillyofme]

As an individual who has been delievered from self harming (praise God!), I believe that Madison's post would be very helpful. I started self harming at a very young age (due to trauma and inner hatred) to about 22. I was a cutter, burner, hitter, starver....you name it, I have the scars (including the stitch marks) to prove it. Anyway, madison's scriptures would have been very helpful to me (because of the gentleness of them and not the condemnation). And another thing, when someone cant harm the way they usually do, they might switch to another means...such as: when i couldnt cut, i starved myself. Just FYI, although you probably already have been told that....
Blessings and prayers

 

[madison1101]

Thanks for the feedback. In addition to lily's list of self-harm, there is also the potential for drug and alcohol abuse as well, plus other eating disorders, not just anorexia.

I speak and share from my own experiences. It took me learning who I am in Christ to get some control over my self-harming behaviors.

Satan wants to destroy God's children, and will lie to us and use every means of deception in his arsenal to have us believe we are worthless pieces of junk and deserve the abuse we inflict upon ourselves. Using the scriptures as our weapon, Ephesians 6, we can resist the devil's lies and firmly believe God's TRUTH of who we are, because of what God's Word says we are.

God bless.

 

[cwr89]

Thanks for the feedback. In addition to lily's list of self-harm, there is also the potential for drug and alcohol abuse as well, plus other eating disorders, not just anorexia. [\QUOTE]

This is very true, I have been helping my good friend alex, (eastside9008) with cutting and drugs and stuff, this kind of thing happens right together, I know from what she has told me. but I am a guy, I really don't understand the emotional side of this, so (from my "experiance") if you a guy helping. the best thing to do is listen and comfort. If it comforts the person to have them hold a blade. let them have the blade. just be mind full. don't ask really prying questions. simple stuff I have found that helps. but realize much of the cutting comes from emotions. (still I don't understand).

take into account what madison1101 said... I know if the cutting doesn't work they might try the next thing, OD on things like tylenol or advil.

also, anorexia can be a problem too. same with balemia. (sp?)

just my imput I still have trouble understanding it. but do a support group thing!
~Casey

 

[Genes!s]

I'm a cutter. My family had no clue until eventually I told one family member and he told everyone else. My dad doesn't understand it and he doesn't like it being brough up...so we just sorta ignore it. I haven't cut in about 16 months now, but I still have strong urges to cut....takes a lot to fight those urges sometimes

Same here, though I've cut in the past 3 or 4 months. My family found out in a similar way, I just happen to walk out in front of my mom and aunt with bloody arms one night. I think I was about 16 or 17 then. I agree, the urges are really hard to fight off sometimes, especially when I feel depressed.

 

[Godsgirl481]

Same here, though I've cut in the past 3 or 4 months. My family found out in a similar way, I just happen to walk out in front of my mom and aunt with bloody arms one night. I think I was about 16 or 17 then. I agree, the urges are really hard to fight off sometimes, especially when I feel depressed.

My mom doesn't know, as far as I know since I have not talked to her in 6 years...but my dad knows. Thank god I never did that, my dad would of had a heart attack....but my uncle told him...he doesn't understand but he sorta accepted it I guess. Would probably help me if he talked to me about stuff...but that's ok

 

[TheMainException]

My brother....it may be necessary to take her to a therapist, someone trained in mental illness. Usually cutting is not alone, and there is some underlying things that take her to this place of cutting...there is usually more to it than just the surface cut and anguish. Dig deep...it may be painful though. I pray this works out. With love to you, your family and your neice, Lauren