Depression

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

Why would someone need to know how long a demon has been with an individual?

What?

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

I’m answering his post. I gave you briefly what I know to do. If you have another way, post it.

I'm asking you where does the Bible teach about "open doors" and where does the Bbible teach that a demonised person has to "denounce the spirit" that is demonising them?

Don't you think those are legitimate questions deserving a legitimate Bible answer?

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by Esaias

What?



I'm asking you where does the Bible teach about "open doors" and where does the Bbible teach that a demonised person has to "denounce the spirit" that is demonising them?

Don't you think those are legitimate questions deserving a legitimate Bible answer?

Absolutely, yet instead of picking apart my answer. Give your answer and we can compare notes. Use examples like I did if you wish. If you believe its wicked rebellious man (Powers that be) that creates this “issues“ such as schizophrenia, through what we drink and eat then say that. Once you give this good man an answer for his dilemma then me and you can have a conversation.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

Absolutely, yet instead of picking apart my answer. Give your answer and we can compare notes. Use examples like I did if you wish. If you believe its wicked rebellious man (Powers that be) that creates this “issues“ such as schizophrenia, through what we drink and eat then say that. Once you give this good man an answer for his dilemma then me and you can have a conversation.

All I'm asking for are the Bible passages that teach the things you were teaching. It shouldn't be hard at all to just post them. I did not say I had a better way to deal with schizophrenics. I'm just asking you to show me Bible for the things you are saying.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Has anyone had success in working with people with schizophrenia? I sometimes struggle to discern the spiritual from the mental. How do you tell whether a person is dealing which a hormonal or chemical imbalance or spiritual attack?

I do not believe schizophrenia is a "hormone or chemical imbalance." I am not an expert on schizophrenia by any means, but from the research I've seen schizophrenics usually have MRI or CT brain scans that are different from non schizophrenic people, yet those differences are likely CAUSED by the various drug treatments used for schizophrenia. Most successful treatments of schizophrenia seem to be med-free or else using certain medicines to minimise certain particular symptoms while underlying causes are being worked on through non-med means.

My dad did an internship at a psych ward while he was in med school. As a result he changed his goals and went into neurology instead of psychiatry. He concluded psychiatry and the entire "mental health profession" was a scam based entirely on $$$$ with no real concern for helping patients. Anyway, he once told me that based on his time working with various types of schizophrenics and psychopathologies, schizophrenia isn't like psychopathy. Psychopathy is a break from reality, into an unreal perception of things. Schizophrenics on the other hand have the opposite problem: they perceive too much of reality. They have no filter like the rest of us. As a result, as a coping mechanism, many times they fragment. They begin to perceive their thoughts and perceptions as coming from "outside" of their self identity because they are overloaded. That as his understanding, anyway.

Most treatments I've heard about that appear to work seem to involve enabling the patient to "integrate" these fragmented parts of their own psyche and teaching them how to handle how their own mind and personality and perceptions work without resorting to self destructive coping mechanism or fear and panic (or standard big pharma medications which basically just zombiefy the patient making them more "manageable" for caregivers).

I also think some folks diagnosed with schizophrenia may in fact be demonised (thus needing God's power not man's) while others may not be demonised but may just be eccentric and then get diagnosed and medicated and everything goes downhill from there. But then again, I am by no means any kind of expert.

[good samaritan]

Since I was a kid, I have had many friends that where mentally troubled. Too some degree, I have realized that we all struggle mentally. Many that I know, have had it to the degree that it caused them trouble dealing with reality. It especially makes it hard for them to function with normal daily activities. I haven't known many that just blatantly heard voices, but more deal with paranoia and extreme fear. I have met several that worry that they are reprobate and you can't convince them otherwise. You can pray for them and counsel them until you are blue in the face and they are right back to square one. I don't doubt that it is a spiritual battle, but sometimes struggle with how to approach it. I have prayed for many people like this with little success.

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Since I was a kid, I have had many friends that where mentally troubled. Too some degree, I have realized that we all struggle mentally. Many that I know, have had it to the degree that it caused them trouble dealing with reality. It especially makes it hard for them to function with normal daily activities. I haven't known many that just blatantly heard voices, but more deal with paranoia and extreme fear. I have met several that worry that they are reprobate and you can't convince them otherwise. You can pray for them and counsel them until you are blue in the face and they are right back to square one. I don't doubt that it is a spiritual battle, but sometimes struggle with how to approach it. I have prayed for many people like this with little success.

Brother I absolutely agree with you. When I was growing up I didn’t understand then, I do know that many friends, family struggled with mental issues. I’m going to give you a brief history of my family. My dad struggled with anxiety, my grandpa (my dads dad) struggled with it, my grandpas mom used to go to a counselor for the same issue, my great grandmother died in a mental institution. Now, my sister struggles with it, my two brothers struggles with it. I dont believe thats by coincidence, thats a spirit I call a generational (family) spirit thats passed from parents to children. You ask how do you deal with that? Brother, the only thing I can tell you is there are things that the Holy Ghost is going to be your only teacher. You need to pray and ask God to show you what spirit is behind this situation, God hears you.

1 Corinthians 12:10
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Gods gives us these tools for a reason, maybe you have, maybe you haven’t, ask God to give you discerning of spirits. Before I pray with an individual I ask them questions concerning their situation, Jesus said

Mark 9:2
And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

Brother, if we can just go and rebuke the spirit and all is well, why did Jesus ask the Father How Long? The man said as a child, I dont know this persons age right at the time of his deliverance, but I believe it was many years he was possessed.

The Bible doesn’t describe how to pray for deliverance for an individual, because not everyone is the same. With that said the Bible doesn’t tell us how to pray for someone to receive the Holy Ghost either! How do we know? We allow the Holy Ghost to lead us. Brother I’m praying for you

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Since I was a kid, I have had many friends that where mentally troubled. Too some degree, I have realized that we all struggle mentally. Many that I know, have had it to the degree that it caused them trouble dealing with reality. It especially makes it hard for them to function with normal daily activities. I haven't known many that just blatantly heard voices, but more deal with paranoia and extreme fear. I have met several that worry that they are reprobate and you can't convince them otherwise. You can pray for them and counsel them until you are blue in the face and they are right back to square one. I don't doubt that it is a spiritual battle, but sometimes struggle with how to approach it. I have prayed for many people like this with little success.

I came to the conclusion that there is some mental issues in some people by nature, and when they have struggles that can’t cope with they derail even more noticeable.

I have casted out demos in Jesus’ name that were only tormenting an unbeliever (btw, after that miracle the whole family converted to Christ)
I have also casted out demos in Jesus’ name that were totally possessing the person to the point that the person was unconscious during the possession.

That being said, I definitely believe in mental disability in all degrees and spectrums. I also believe that because of it, people can end up deeper in the mess than others.
However, nobody is excused: sin, demonic attacks, victories, joy, peace and successful christian life are available to everyone, regardless; unless you are so mentally disabled that can’t even judge by yourself right from wrong.

I have seen mentally disabled people having a successful christian life and a decent social and work life.

I just pray when I am dealing with somebody, and ask God for discernment.

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by coksiw

I came to the conclusion that there is some mental issues in some people by nature, and when they have struggles that can’t cope with they derail even more noticeable.

I have casted out demos in Jesus’ name that were only tormenting an unbeliever (btw, after that miracle the whole family converted to Christ)
I have also casted out demos in Jesus’ name that were totally possessing the person to the point that the person was unconscious during the possession.

That being said, I definitely believe in mental disability in all degrees and spectrums. I also believe that because of it, people can end up deeper in the mess than others.
However, nobody is excused: sin, demonic attacks, victories, joy, peace and successful christian life are available to everyone, regardless; unless you are so mentally disabled that can’t even judge by yourself right from wrong.

I have seen mentally disabled people having a successful christian life and a decent social and work life.

I just pray when I am dealing with somebody, and ask God for discernment.

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Where is any of this discussed in the Bible?

The Bible says

Ephesians 4:27
[27] Neither give place to the devil.

Place in this scripture means:
Strong's Definition
Apparently a primary word; a spot (generally in space but limited by occupancy; whereas G5561 is a larger but particular locality) that is location (as a position home tract etc.); figuratively condition opportunity; specifically a scabbard: - coast licence place X plain quarter + rock room where.
Thayer's Definition
place, any portion or space marked off, as it were from surrounding space
an inhabited place, as a city, village, district

Other biblical translations use opportunity instead of “place”. So, I use the term open door, the Bible say “I stand at the door and knock” as we open the door for Gods spirit to reside in us, then we have the opportunity to open a door for another spirit to reside.

Denouncing a spirit I believe is oblivious.

Is there a verse that says “denounce a spirit” no there is not. But there is a scripture that says

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The word resist in this scripture means
Strong's Definition
From G473 and G2476; to stand against that is oppose: - resist withstand.
Thayer's Definition
to set one's self against, to withstand, resist, oppose
to set against

I was personally at this event, a young man was repenting and he was oppressed by many different spirits. This was a backslider, and he was pleading to God for the Holy Ghost, and man he was close. Finally after praying and crying this minister went up to him and asked him to forgive his parents! All of sudden we hit a wall, this young man had strong resentment against his parents. He denounced, rejected (whatever word you would like to use to oppose that spirit) that bitterness, he was filled with the Holy Ghost and is still living for God i believe 18 years later.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

If you want to discuss this more take it to the depression thread. I’ll show you depression is called a spirit and why I believe healing is depending on the one asking.

James 5:14-15 "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

Here it shows faith required by the elders praying, not the person being prayed over. While there two instances in the NT in which Jesus acknowledged faith of the sick person, there is no verse which requires faith.

Mark 6 even shows that Jesus healed the sick in Nazareth in spite of there being unbelief.

Mark 6:5, 6 "And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief."

Again, I believe the majority of the time, "they didn't have faith" is a cop out and excuse to try and explain why a person wasn't healed. Sometimes a person can be full of faith and God does not heal. That brings me to lame excuse #2: "It's not God's will."

Another excuse I hear used is when a preacher talks about whether or not it's really God's will to heal someone. I have yet to have a preacher show me where in the Bible a person went to Jesus to be healed and was turned away. The main response I get is "But Paul had a thorn in the flesh," and then I ask them to finish the verse, "a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." Quite simply it is always God's will to heal. The NT shows that He healed them "all." Not a single person left Jesus still sick and diseased.

Sometimes God does not heal. I don't know why, but I don't believe in blaming the sick person for lack of faith and I don't believe in questioning God's will to heal.

A dear friend from Bible School days suffered with epilepsy and daily seizures for over 25 years. A couple times he was hospitalized and they thought he would die. He had been prayed for by countless ministers and saints. But God didn't heal him. His faith never wavered. Every time we spoke over the phone, he was upbeat, optimistic and thankful.

It really made me upset a few times and I remember praying and asking God why my friend isn't healed. My friend is a Godly man, a great husband and father -- far better and more faithful than I have been. Why then would God allow this? I even would bring up the story of Job in my prayers -- there was a time when God finally said enough and restored to Job his health and more than he had before. I began asking God to have mercy on my friend and remember him as He did Job.

Last year, he was at the altar after a message and someone prayed for him and he said he felt an assurance that he was healed. It's been several months without any seizures and he's claimed healing from his epilepsy.