Thread by @RevDrCraig, Mental health in the 21st century pentecostal church is not talked about [...]

Mental health in the 21st century pentecostal church is not talked about enough. Too many people with treatable MH conditions are shamed into thinking that if they ask for help it means they are accepting defeat to the devil and his demons
#DepressionIsNotASin

The focus of pentecostal christianity is always shifting, from one great "move" of God to another, in what we have fondly called "dispensations". At the time I got saved in the late 80's the church was in the "anointing" and "deliverance" dispensation
#DepressionIsNotASin

The "word of faith" movement was just taking root and preachers like Benny were gaining popularity. The premise of their teaching was and is scripturally sound, but as is common with these dispensations, the application often strays far from the intent.
#DepressionIsNotASin

Over time, what started off as: "Jesus loves you and can heal you" morphed into, "ALL illness is a spiritual attack and a product of demonic activity and you must come and be delivered by falling under the anointing"
#DepressionIsNotASin

So lets look at sickness in general and mental illness in particular and shed some light on what really is God's opinion about this.
You might want to get your bible and note pads out for this one
#DepressionIsNotASin

After the fall, we know that the perfect order of nature began to decay, and entropy began to hold sway. The life span of Man began to diminish as the curse of death and sin took root in Adams offspring
(Genesis 3:1-24)

Sickness and disease, ageing and death were introduced into the world, as a result of this disconnection from the life giving source which was a consequence of Sin.
Sickness disease and death became a part of life.
(Romans 5:12-21)

When Jesus came, he brought with him the divine power of God and everywhere he went he took on the most recognisable outward expression of Sin which was sickness disease and death. He healed the sick and raised the dead. Why?
(Acts 10:38)

Many scholars believe that by destroying the most recognisable outward expression of Adam's Sin he was helping us see that he coukd conquer both it and our personal sin, and that through his salvation we could be born again into a new life!
(2Pet 1:3-4)

Are there some sicknesses that are caused by demonic activity. Yes there are. No doubt about it. But are all sicknesses or illnesses or death caused by a demon?

The most common illness attributed to demonic activity is epilepsy. Are all epileptic seizures the direct action of demons? Absolutely not!

But are all epileptic seizures (and all sickness) as a result of the fallen nature of our world. Yes!
(Luke 9.42)

Or take Sickle Cell Anaemia and the bone pain crisis that most patients have to endure. Is that the effect of a demon squeezing a patient's bone or is it red blood cells getting stuck in tiny blood vessels in the bone marrow causing swelling and inflammation?

Is a womans period pain as a result of a demon squeezing her womb or is it as a result of rhythmic muscular contractions expelling the lining that was prepared to receive a fertilised egg that didn't arrive?

Is depression always a result of a demon placing a cloud over a person and blocking them from seeing their blessings or is it an inherited lack of the hormone and neurotransmitter serotonin in the patients brain that manifests as low mood and anxiety ?

Now, make no mistake. ALL sickness, whether those caused by genetic or hormonal imbalances, or those caused by demons will respond to the name of Jesus.
This is because HE is MASTER of the Universe. The fact that something bows to Jesus does not mean that it is evil
(Rev 4:10)

The Bible says that EVERY knee will bow, in heaven and on earth, of things seen and unseen. Angels bow, humans bow, planets bow, stars bow. Sickness bows. I bow!
(Phillipians 2:10-11)

But the "deliverance " dispensation taught believers that their sickness was the devil and they needed to come and be healed from it. Going to a doctor showed a lack of faith. Taking paracetamol meant you were weak.
And ALL mental illness was demonic possession

And so many people who could have gotten better by seeing a doctor went instead to crusades, and while many did get healed, thousands did not, and many would end up suffering and dying, holding on for a miracle that was available in a blister pack at the pharmacy
(Jer 8:22)

We have moved on to the "prosperity" dispensation now. Prayer handkerchiefs and anointing oil sales are down.Only very few people fall under the anointing anymore these days.They have been replaced by people coming forward to sow a $1000 seed for breakthrough

But the vestiges of this teaching still remain in the hearts of many a 90s born again believer.

I have come to challenge you today. Read your bible. Study for yourself and seek Gods face. Check to see if these things I have said today are true.
(Acts 17:11)

If you are sick in any way, physical or emotional, seek help. Pray, but also talk to a doctor or a counselor, take the medication that you are prescribed and work hard at getting better and living healthier.
(Colossians 4:14)

Sickness is not always as a result of the devil. Sometimes it is just a result of the groaning that all creation is in, waiting for that glorious manifestation when all things will be made new in Him
(Romans 8.22)

#DepressionIsNotASin and neither is seeking help for any illness.
One day our earthly bodies will be swallowed up in immortality when he cracks the sky, and when he comes we shall be like him, but until then we travail in anticipatory hope!

Shall we wrap up with a question?

If you got born again in the deliverance dispensation, did/do you believe all sickness was/is demonic in nature?

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