Mental Illnesses

                                            Incurable or Simply Cured Corruption of the Mind

            Religion has been and is still one of the most controversial topics for discussion. We will not get into religion, however; we’re stepping deeper and farther into the mindset of human beings. There are numerous problems facing the world today, many of which involve the mind, because it is where beliefs, thoughts, understanding, and complexity take place. Some individuals believe that certain mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder are generational mental illnesses that are incurable (Med 1). The opposing views are from those who have witnessed mental issues and have actually overcome them all the same through a process known as deliverance or exorcism. Mental illnesses can destroy lives, hopes, and dreams not only of the patient but also the family and anyone else who was part of that life. The human mind is a powerful being full of understanding yet somehow perplexed and must be disciplined, renewed, and strengthened every day in order to keep sanity (Bar 1257).

            We will start with popular belief being so that it is most common. Schizophrenia is an unsatisfying illness that makes thinking clearly almost impossible (Med 1). With the disease comes delusions, isolation, paranoia, anger, and psychotic behavior (Med 1-2). Schizophrenia is a serious illness that requires much attention. The risks may include suicide attempts, actual suicide, alcoholism, drug abuse, and physical inabilities. Characteristics that pertain to this illness include: anonymous voices that want to cause pain, an urge to hurt self or others, depression, inability to leave the house or take care of one-self, lack of communication, and mystical illusions (Med 3).

Medication is strongly recommended; however, the side-effects can be rather dangerous (Med 3). The problem with this diagnosis is that it is not certain exactly how it is caused, not even to mental health experts. It is said that genes may have an effect on it; but if no one else in the family has it, how exactly is it in the gene-pool (Med 1)? Schizophrenia is said to be incurable and apparently there is no way to prevent it either according to science (Med 3). Maybe there is no cure, in science that is, maybe just maybe there is another way to fighting the so-called life-long disease.

Contrary to popular belief, there are those who believe in getting the job done through a higher power and saying good-bye to such illnesses. These people fall under the Apostolic and Anglican faith in which they have a strong desire to see souls, minds, and lives set free and delivered from such catastrophe. They believe in deliverance also known as exorcism which refers to the casting out of demons (Tbm 1). The Apostolic and Anglicans are still considered Christians; however, not all Christians believe in deliverance or the casting out of demons. Some feel as though it is unbiblical and that Jesus was the only one powerful enough to cast them out in those times (Bob).

 According to the Bible, there was a great war in Heaven in which the angel Lucifer dared to take the throne and power of his creator, God. He was absolutely beautiful in looks, smart, and marvelous in song; but he desired a greater power because of envy (Dream). Lucifer was unsuccessful in captivity and cast out of heaven along with his angels known as the fallen angels. When they were cast to earth, they manifested into evil demons that fit their deceiving personalities to remain until the end of time (Dream). The main motives of the devil and his demons are to kill, steal, and destroy (Bar 1180), because in the end time, there will be “The Battle of Armageddon,” and a falling away where the devil and his demons will be cast into a lake of fire according to biblical text (Bar 1378). It is basically good vs. evil.

 Jesus is referred to as a Messiah, the Savior, and Christ who spent his life teaching and preaching the Word of God, who is His father in Heaven. Jesus cast out demons, healed the sick, blind, and lame, baptized people, saved souls, and taught the true meaning of love and authority. He was only thirty-three years old when He was crucified on the Cross of Calvary in A.D. 30 (Bar 1399). His life span was thousands of years after the devil had been cast out of Heaven. According to scripture, Mark 1:21-27, “Jesus, with great authority, commanded an evil spirit to come out of a man who was possessed, and he shook violently then the spirit spoke and came out of him with a shriek” (Tbm 1).

Many modern psychologists try to explain these Scriptures by saying that the people in Jesus’ day did not know anything about mental disorders, so they blamed demons for people’s mental sicknesses. However, it was not just the people in those days who believed in demon possession, but Jesus also believed in the reality of demon possession, and by casting out of people, they were cured. In other words, if demons are not real, then how did Jesus get good results (Tbm)?

            According to Tom Brown as well as Bible reference, demons are real and deliverance is real; but in order for it to be successful it must be done with authority and faith in the name of Jesus (Tbm 4). Brown speaks of three deliverances that he took part in where the victims were freed and one of them had no idea of what had happened (Tbm 1-3). He had received a call from a frightened young man that declared his wife had gone psycho and lost her mind. When Brown arrived at his house he walked in on someone you would think had gone crazy on top of the couch, growling like a mad dog, and trying to get away. He walked over and laid hands on the lady and with authority commanded all the demon spirits to come out. They came out within moments and all she could say was “Who are you? What’s going on” (Tbm 1)? Apparently, she was not herself at all and had no idea of how she had been acting; her mind had been deceived as well as her body. Her actions resembled that of a schizophrenic…

            Geoffrey Lampe, theologian, “observed that exorcism was the dominant miracle of the early church,” that was normal and depicted “an individual’s character, authority, and doctrine” (Bob). Someone may argue whether or not demons can be seen, true enough, they can. “Seeing is believing, believing is seeing, works both ways once the mind is opened unto it” (Dream). Demons can take on human form, exist in frequency spectrums, remain in darkness, and actually by very few can literally be seen (Dream). Maybe those with schizophrenia do see those things considered hallucinations or illusions to others, maybe.

            Now that all the information has made its way into your understanding, we step back into the topic of the mindset entirely. Whatever the mind decides to ponder on, whether it be thoughts of lust, happiness, bondage, fear, boldness, perversion, giving, rebellion, love, anger, blasphemy, envy, haughtiness, or sorcery, the door is then opened to that spirit to come in and take over. These so-called spirits can all have a hold on an individual’s life, actions, and decisions (Dream). A man’s thoughts define who he is (Bar 739).

            The mind is a terrible thing to waste. It should be kept whole and used every day for the good of a people to develop, create, and esteem new ideas. The mind is powerful as well as our thoughts as we are influenced day to day by the fast-paced life around us. Studies cannot prove how mental illnesses are caused exactly and yet remain incurable amongst those lacking faith in the power of deliverance to be healed and set free. If you were suffering from schizophrenia or another illness, how far would you go to be free? With wisdom comes understanding (Bar 774). The human mind possesses great power and functions that could result in sublime understanding, knowledge, and wisdom until confusion and destruction manifest.

                                                          Works Cited

Brown, Tom. Tom Brown Ministries. El Paso, Texas. 2013. 1-4. Print.

King James. The KJV Study Bible. Ohio. Barbour Publishing, Inc, 2011. Print.

Larson, Bob. Bob Larson. 2013. Web. 13 Feb. 2013

PubMed Health. PubMed Health-Schizophrenia. A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia. Atlanta, GA. 13 Feb. 2012. 1-5. Print.

Smith, Bryon. Dream-Link. Bryon Smith, 2010. Web. 13 Feb. 2013