Depression 02

{

Depression:A Biblical Perspective

Psalm 34:18

Part Two

Spiritual Depression

As we have seen already, not all depression is the result of sin. However, we cannot deny that sin will result in depression. A faithful Christian understands the eternal consequences of sin. But we must also be mindful that there are also temporal results. Sin is a heavy burden to carry in this world as well.


Spiritual depression is the result of personal sin. Nearly every warranty is void if you fail to use a product according to the manufacturers recommendations. We, God creation, are no different. Sin will take it’s toll. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:21


The study of nearly 32,000 11th-grade students in Oregon found that LGB youth were more than five times as likely to have attempted suicide in the previous 12 months, as their heterosexual peers (21.5 percent vs. 4.2 percent). Using a new tool designed to measure social environment, Hatzenbuehler found that LGB youth living in a social environment that was more supportive of gays and lesbians were 25 percent less likely to attempt suicide than LGB youth living in environments that were less supportive”


4.2% Heterosexual Teens

21.5% Homosexual Teens

16.12% Homosexual Teens in supportive communities

Even in supportive communities, homosexual teens are 4x more likely to be suicidal.


Homosexual people have a greater tendency towards depression than their heterosexual counterparts not because of external pressures but because of an inward conflict that results from their sinful lifestyle.


It is important for Christians to realize that these are always hurting people who need to understand that God does not hate them but loves them and Christ died for them. Suicide is not the answer to their depression but rather a new life in Christ.


Forty percent of people who drink heavily demonstrate symptoms of depression while only 10% of people with depressive illness have alcohol problems. In other words, depression doesn’t always mean alcoholism but alcoholism does usually lead to depression.


As noted at www.thedepression-guide.com “Alcohol can briefly produce a pleasant and relaxed state of the mind. However, alcohol problems and depression commonly occur together. It is more accurate to say that alcohol contributes to the development of depression.”

http://www.thedepression-guide.com/



“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.” Proverbs 23:29-35


“We had both sinned, so we decided to stay together for the children. This lasted a year, no trust, arguments, I tried to ignore my feelings for the other man, but he kept calling, he was there when I needed to talk. My husband sensed this and left after exactly one year of our admission of adultery. It has been 2 months since my husband moved away, and my pain and confusion has not stopped.”


King David knew a similar experience with Bathsheba according to 2 Samuel 11 and 12. Listen to how this affected his heart in Psalm 51.

“For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Psalm 51:3

“Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.” Psalm 51:8

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Psalm 51:12


If we continue in David’s story we would learn in the very next chapter how David’s sin affected his children, Amnon, Tamar and Absalom. This depressing story grows and reaches far beyond the one night stand he must have imagined.


“For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.”

Proverbs 5:3-5


These are only a few examples to demonstrate that sin produces depression. We could look at many others such as King Saul and his rebellion. We could see Peter weeping bitterly after denying Christ and Judas hanging himself shortly after his betrayal. Rebellion to God’s Word has never brought peace to any soul.


Even Adam responded in anxiety and fear when he fell into sin.

“And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:9,10


What we tend to label as depression is sometimes simply guilt and conviction over unconfessed sin. The pleasures of sin always end in depression.

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

“There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.” Isaiah 48:22


Because we were created to worship and fellowship with God it is only natural to expect that man’s rebellion against his design would result in friction and disharmony.


The Scriptures remind us again and again that sin produces a great war in our hearts and minds. As Paul describes man’s sinful nature, notice the absence of peace..

“Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:13-18


The Scriptures remind us again and again that sin produces a great war in our hearts and minds. As Paul describes man’s sinful nature, notice the absence of peace..

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7


David’s Lament Over Sin

“For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Psalm 38: 4


Although it is obvious that sin is bound to bring depression there is hope for the sinner. It has never been God’s will for us to be captivated or imprisoned by the cruel thoughts of our own minds. David realized that the Lord was his help.“Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94: 17-19


David Asked God to forgive and restore him.“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:1-2

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps 51:10

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Ps 51:12


Next, you must determine to forsake the lifestyle that produced this dilemma in your life and follow godly, biblical principles. It is not simply enough to feel sorry and talk about your woes. The biblical principle of repentance teaches us that we must do something about it. Repentance is an attitude that affects our actions. Why should we expect our lives to change if our lives don’t change? It makes no sense to expect a new found joy while practicing our old sinful habits. Listen to how Paul praises the Corinthians for their sorrow that led to genuine repentance.


“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-11


Albert Einstein defined insanity as “ doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”


Walk with godly friends and avoid the ungodly.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1: 1-3


Develop a passion for God’s Word.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12


Develop a passion for God’s Word.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8


Do right.

“Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.” Ecclesiastes 8:5

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22


Do right.

“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3

“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” Ps 97:11


Separate from worldliness.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2


Trust in God’s forgiveness.

“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.”

1 John 3:20


Trust in God’s forgiveness.“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7-9


Trust in God’s forgiveness.“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3: 21-26


Next Week

God’s Biblical Plan for Peace