I'm wondering what the Christian perspective is on all this. Is something like schizophrenia always caused by demons, or is it also a legitimate medical problem? I'm weary of what most psychiatrists and psychologists say and don't know what to make of this. Do any of you know of any articles or sermons on this subject?

I suffered from mental illness before I got saved. A team prayed over me and at least 5 demons left me with shrieking. I had been into all sorts of wrong thing that got me into bondage. I got filled with the Holy Spirit sooon after and stayed free for over 20 years.

I do not want to generalize anything, or develop doctrines but I believe that in times of the NT there was no such condition known as mental illness, just demon possession.

Would Jesus deny deliverance from this horrible condition to anyone who sincerely repents and desires freedom?

narrowpath

Mental illness occurs when we are overwhelmed by
our emotions {doubt, guilt, fear, etc.} and not
governed by the Spirit of God. For God has not
given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love,
and a sound mind!!

_________________
Martin G. Smith

I second Narrowpath's post and agree.

I believe schitzophrenia is ALWAYS demonic. Many times, however, the demons tormenting such a soul will actually prevent them from understanding or responding to the Gospel and need to be driven out before they even have a fighting chance. And this "mental disease" is never just a single demon, it's the result of many demons. Many times is a result of both generational curse and fear/bitterness (initially as the root), sometimes triggered by a traumatic event through which the demons gain access.

here's a quote from a medical journal.

"A sibling or a parent with schizophrenia increases the likelihood that a person will have the disease."


so, then, demonic possession can be inherited??

bub

There is a genetic component in schizophrenia, but, that doesn't mean it cannot be healed.

I agree there is very likely to be a spiritual component, but I believe that trauma can cause a person's psyche to become fragmented, and these separations between parts, create vulnerability to spiritual interference. It's not just one single cause and effect.

Further, if the causes of the splitting are understood, the remedies can be more specifically applied - and they are not the same for everyone.

And, although Jesus could heal every schizophrenic that ever lived, only a few want to receive from Him.

For those of you who believe it to be demons, what would you say of a Christian with a mental illness? (Don't want to start a debate or anything, I'm just in the need of some answers.) Would the person then need deliverance and how would it be carried out?
And again, does anybody know of any articles or sermons on the subject?

when you ask if it is medical or demonic, understand that in Jesus's time most things were demonically explained, but now most things are medically explained. Soon, even more unknowns will be explained in a scientific way, so we need to look at the role of demons in affecting our mental or bodily makeup, because there are going to be physical explanations for everything.

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Ben Ordaz

Read the book called Pigs in the parlor...
Dont remember who wrote it but was very interesting.
Of course as everything said in the book is not what I would call biblical, it seems that everyone tends to build doctrine around experience and not solely on scripture, but you will have to as you read the book realise that something is going on in the spritual and needs to be taken care of.
For instance my wife was suffering from a disorder and causing her to have panic attacks and it was causing problems in our relationship, ultimately she went on medication, causing other problems..
The Holy Spirit speaking to me, was dealing with me and how I needed to get right with God and my wife needed to feel secure in our relationship and with the Lord.
I got right,,, Repented and Prayed over my wife and she was healed...
my wife had one relapse over 5 years later...
Why? again my prayer life faltered and I prayed for her. And I must as the spiritual head have to maintain a prayerful relationship with the Lord and with my family in obedience to Christ.
Spiritual warefare is very real and has to be dealt with in Repentance and prayer.
we fight not flesh and blood, but with princapalities and powers in high places.
my 2 cents anyway.

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howard

Schizophrenia is demonic as is many other things that are classified "as a disorder" Devils oppress the body, and the soul. Many things are not hereditary but a devil that has been working in someones family line for many years.

_________________
Jaron