mental illness and christianity

[Neostarwcc]

Just our spirits. Our bodies and minds can definitely be demonized.

I see. And we have to get an exorcism to get the demons to leave? You said that mental illness is caused by demons so if I got an exorcism would I be cured?

 

[Dave-W]

I see. And we have to get an exorcism to get the demons to leave?

That is the usual way.

You said that mental illness is caused by demons so if I got an exorcism would I be cured?

That is NOT what I said.
I said a minority of cases of mental illness may include demonization. "MAY"

And even if it does, the illness itself is organic and needs to be treated separately, no matter the source of the illness.

 

[GandalfTheWise]

So this is something I've been curious about for a long time. I never would have doubted that you can be a born again Christian and be mentally ill if someone hadn't told me otherwise. I know what I personally but, as a Christian with a mental illness, I'm interested in hearing what others have to say.
Do you believe that someone can be a born again Christian and yet still be mentally ill?

Edit: illnesses like, for example, depression or anxiety or schizophrenia, etc.

Many here have given good responses. I only comment to explicitly add encouragement. Christians can have various types of illnesses, trauma, and injuries, both physical and mental; and indeed, many do.

Sometimes people experience healing or improvement; other times it is a thorn in the flesh (referring to whatever Paul had that afflicted him) that is there for life. Neither one is a reflection of whether you are a "good" Christian or not.

 

[JacksBratt]

So this is something I've been curious about for a long time. I never would have doubted that you can be a born again Christian and be mentally ill if someone hadn't told me otherwise. I know what I personally but, as a Christian with a mental illness, I'm interested in hearing what others have to say.

Do you believe that someone can be a born again Christian and yet still be mentally ill?

Absolutely.....And thank goodness that God understands all things.

 

[Clintpauljohnson]

With my schizo-affective bi polar type I feel in tuned at times to God. I like alot of Joyce Meyers books about the mind and enjoy studying psychology books. Where the mind goes the man follows. I think that is how it goes. It's like a person judging a fish on it ability to climb a tree of course the fish will think it's stupid if you judge and label him.

The mind is the battlefield. And ultimately you control it with the help of God.

 

[AlexDTX]

So this is something I've been curious about for a long time. I never would have doubted that you can be a born again Christian and be mentally ill if someone hadn't told me otherwise. I know what I personally but, as a Christian with a mental illness, I'm interested in hearing what others have to say.
Do you believe that someone can be a born again Christian and yet still be mentally ill?

Edit: illnesses like, for example, depression or anxiety or schizophrenia, etc.

This is a dangerous topic. There are many who believe mental health is solely for professionals such as licensed counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists to determine. What is dangerous is that they have legal backing that can make any contrary opinion liable. In those professions there is no acknowledgment of God, a change in life by the new birth, or even demonic influences.

Also, for those such as your self, who believe they have mental illness while being a Christian, comments will be negatively received and denied, so there is little use discussing it. My wife, for example, has known the Lord for 40 years and believes she has ADD. I have tried telling her otherwise, but have stopped commenting because she firmly believes she has a disorder.

What I will say is this. When you have the new birth your spirit is recreated and joined to the Lord, but our soul and bodies remain the same. We are exhorted to not be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. That process of mind renewal is up to us. We draw our own boundaries of how much of the Gospel we will believe.

 

[RaymondG]

Anyone who can join a Christian Church can call themselves a Christian regardless of Mental status, criminal history, job status etc.. If you can sign the papers, you can be a Christian.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Anyone who can join a Christian Church can call themselves a Christian regardless of Mental status, criminal history, job status etc.. If you can sign the papers, you can be a Christian.

Of the visable church Jesus was stigmatized with those whom He called friends from those who sat on the seat of Moses. A deeper look than that is needed.

 

[RaymondG]

Of the visable church Jesus was stigmatized with those whom He called friends from those who sat on the seat of Moses. A deeper look than that is needed.

Correct. I was only speaking of the visible church.... as this seems to be the topic of the OP and most of the Posts thus far.

 

[RaymondG]

This is a dangerous topic. There are many who believe mental health is solely for professionals such as licensed counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists to determine. What is dangerous is that they have legal backing that can make any contrary opinion liable. In those professions there is no acknowledgment of God, a change in life by the new birth, or even demonic influences.

Also, for those such as your self, who believe they have mental illness while being a Christian, comments will be negatively received and denied, so there is little use discussing it. My wife, for example, has known the Lord for 40 years and believes she has ADD. I have tried telling her otherwise, but have stopped commenting because she firmly believes she has a disorder.

What I will say is this. When you have the new birth your spirit is recreated and joined to the Lord, but our soul and bodies remain the same. We are exhorted to not be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. That process of mind renewal is up to us. We draw our own boundaries of how much of the Gospel we will believe.

We are to put on the Mind of Christ......so the questions is.....Can the Mind of Christ be ill? But this is out of the scope of this thread.....which seems to be mainly focused on the joining of a Church.

 

[RC1970]

So this is something I've been curious about for a long time. I never would have doubted that you can be a born again Christian and be mentally ill if someone hadn't told me otherwise. I know what I personally but, as a Christian with a mental illness, I'm interested in hearing what others have to say.
Do you believe that someone can be a born again Christian and yet still be mentally ill?

Edit: illnesses like, for example, depression or anxiety or schizophrenia, etc.

Absolutely, without question, yes, you can be a born again believer when you have a mental illness. It's easier to "work out" your salvation (as Paul says) if you are being treated, though.

God's peace be with you.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

I have had clinical depression since I was six years old, and developed PTSD as I grew up. God can heal and comfort, and He does. He is capable of just making it all go away, but there appear to be things He wants me to learn from the struggle. He could just pick me up and place me on top of the mountain. But wouldn't I be stronger if I climbed it myself, and He guided my steps?

(edited for typo)

 

[woobadooba]

Do you believe that someone can be a born again Christian and yet still be mentally ill?

What does it matter what we think? You believe in Jesus; therefore, you are a Christian. Don't let people make you feel like you are less a child of God because you have a mental illness. It's not up to us to tell you what you are. God knows who you are, and He loves you just as much as He loves any other believer.

 

[AlexDTX]

We are to put on the Mind of Christ......so the questions is.....Can the Mind of Christ be ill? But this is out of the scope of this thread.....which seems to be mainly focused on the joining of a Church.

You know the answer.
2Ti_1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

[AlexDTX]

I carry the crosses of

Nowhere in the NT or the Gospels is sickness of any kind called a "cross" to bear. Bearing your cross means self denial, as does dying daily means self denial. Jesus healed all that were willing to be healed. He never made anyone sick.

2Ti_1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.​

 

[Aimz]

I am sorry. I did not mean to cause offence by it.
I just call them that in my head as stumbling blocks to overcome, like thorns in my side, virtual stubbed toes. Just a family phrase really.

I do not blame God for my disabilities or illnesses I thank Him for the opportunity of being humbled and overcoming them. Did I say that I hope not if I did I am sorry again. Please forgive me!

Nowhere in the NT or the Gospels is sickness of any kind called a "cross" to bear. Bearing your cross means self denial, as does dying daily means self denial. Jesus healed all that were willing to be healed. He never made anyone sick.

2Ti_1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.​

 

[AlexDTX]

I am sorry. I did not mean to cause offence by it.
I just call them that in my head as stumbling blocks to overcome, like thorns in my side, virtual stubbed toes. Just a family phrase really.

I do not blame God for my disabilities or illnesses I thank Him for the opportunity of being humbled and overcoming them. Did I say that I hope not if I did I am sorry again. Please forgive me!

I took no offense, just trying to keep a biblical perspective. Your attitude is commendable.

 

[Aimz]

All praise goes to God! Without Him reigning my pride in I would be a walking diaster area, well way more than I am already!

I took no offense, just trying to keep a biblical perspective. Your attitude is commendable.

 

[disciple1]

So this is something I've been curious about for a long time. I never would have doubted that you can be a born again Christian and be mentally ill if someone hadn't told me otherwise. I know what I personally but, as a Christian with a mental illness, I'm interested in hearing what others have to say.
Do you believe that someone can be a born again Christian and yet still be mentally ill?

Edit: illnesses like, for example, depression or anxiety or schizophrenia, etc.

It may be harder to be a Christian and be mentally ill, but anyone can be a Christian.

 

[WilliamBo]

This is a really good video of a teaching of the root causes of mental illness and Christians-