Mental Illness

 Where Does It Come From?

Mental Illness definition – Mental illnesses are a health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, or behavior or a combination of these.  Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.

Researchers and the medical field are still trying to understand what causes mental illness. They say there is no one cause — it can happen due to a mix of factors including genetics, how your brain works, how you grew up, your environment, your social group, your culture and life experience. Genetic factors: having a close family member with a mental illness can increase the risk. However, just because one family member has a mental illness doesn’t mean that others will.

Drug and alcohol abuse: illicit drug use can trigger a manic episode (bipolar disorder) or an episode of psychosis (a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions). Drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and amphetamines can cause paranoia.

Other biological factors: some medical conditions or hormonal changes. Early life environment: negative childhood experiences such as abuse (especially bullying) or neglect can increase the risk of some mental illnesses.

Trauma and stress: in adulthood, traumatic life events or ongoing stress such as social isolation, domestic violence, relationship breakdown, financial or work problems can increase the risk of mental illness. Traumatic experiences such as living in a war zone can increase the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Personality factors: some traits such as perfectionism, driven to succeed, or low self-esteem can increase the risk of depression or anxiety. There are bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, Dementia, Alzheimer Disease, Parkinson to name a few.  All triggered by they way they were treated.

Unfortunately, all of the above and below are symptoms and if we are to find what causes mental illness, we must get to the root of what caused the symptoms to treat mental illness.

Fortunately, we have a resource that gives us the answers if we invest time and do the research.  The Word of God gives many clues in the Bible.  We just need to uncover the verses that explains how mental illness originates.

The verses below involve spirits at work trying to destroy us.  They are relentless and they beat us to a pulp over the course of our lifetime.  The key to understanding mental illness is to understand how these spirits bring confusion to our mind (soul).  Confusion DOES NOT allow us to have a sound mind.  Mental illness is an unsound mind.

As you look at these, take under consideration that they have one of more of the following riders: Anger, fear, unloved, self-pity, and un-forgiveness.  I call the self-pity the woe as me” sprit, “nobody cares about me, if they loved me, they would not have hurt me.”

Other elements must be considered when seeking answers to mental illness. They exacerbate mental illness.

·         Prescribed pharmaceuticals used to treat mental illness

·         Recreational and addictive drugs

·         Mind altering drugs such as LSD, Psilocybin (mushrooms), PCB, Mescaline, Methamphetamine, Coke, etc.

·         Traumas 

·         Generational curses (mental Illness).

Spirit of Ill Will - Judges 9:23 God sent a spirit of ill will between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,

Ill will definition – animosity or bitterness. Synonyms: malice, spite, grudge, malevolence, mean, spleen, the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress. Malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer. Malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct. Ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration. spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments. Malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness. Spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice. Grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

1.       Animosity – strong feeling of dislike or hatred; Synonyms: antagonism, antipathy, bad blood, enmity, gall, grudge, hostility, jaundice, rancor

2.       Bitterness – strong feeling of dislike or hatred; Synonyms: agonized, anguished, bemoaning, deploring, heartbroken.

Note: People with ill will are very angry and seek to make life miserable for others.  It is very hard for them to break ill will behavior. 

Vexing Spirit – Judges 16:16 And it came to pass, when she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death.

Vexing definition: 1). to bring trouble, distress, or agitation to. 2). to bring physical or emotional distress. 3). to irritate or annoy by petty provocations: harass.  Synonyms:   agitate, aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gripe, hack off, infuriate, irk, irritate, persecute, put out, rile, ruffle, spite.

Note: I call these type of people trouble makers and terrorists. They bring constant strife and they think they are justified in their actions.  Their mere presence brings fear.  Similar to the Ill Will spirit.

Tormenting Spirit – Judges 16:19 Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him.

Tormenting definition: 1). extreme pain or anguish of body or mind: agony. 2). a source of vexation or pain. 3). the infliction of torture. 4). to cause severe usually persistent or recurrent distress of body or mind.  Synonyms: afflict, agonize, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute, torture.

Note: Most of our torment comes from humans and includes tormenting ourselves. They will continue to torment until we set up a standard against them, Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.  Similar to the Ill Will Spirit and Vexing Spirit

Bitterness of Soul Spirit – 1 Samuel 1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in.

Bitterness definition: Strong feeling of dislike or hatred; Synonyms: agonized, anguished, bemoaning, deploring, heartbroken.

Note: Bitterness leads to Unforgiveness to Resentment to Retaliation to Anger/Wrath to Hatred to Violence, and finally to Murder or murder of the tongue.  Many times, we have bitterness and hatred of self, which van be very destructive. 

Sorrowful Spirit – 1 Sam 1:15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

Sorrow definition: 1). deep distress, sadness, or regret especially for the loss of someone or something loved. 2). A resultant unhappy or unpleasant state. 2). a cause of grief or sadness. 3). a display of grief or sadness.  Synonyms:     agonize, anguish, bleed, grieve, hurt, mourn, suffer.

Note:  Extreme and prolonged sorrow is very damaging to a person’s soul.  It results in hopelessness and despair, which is depression.  Extreme depression over years leads to oppression.  Also known as a stupor, Romans 11:8 “God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, To this very day.”

Distressing Spirit - 1 Samuel 16:14 (18:9) But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him. (Saul exhibited signs of mental illness.  He was unstable in all his ways. Psalm 82:5 They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable. James 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways).

Distressing definition: pain or suffering affection the body and mind;  Synonyms: aggravate, anger, annoy, bug, chafe, exasperate, fret, gall, harass, irk, irritate, nettle, peeve, pester, put off, put out, rile, vex, bedevil, haunt, plague, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, jar, mortify, rattle, shake up, daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, unnerve.

Note: People, churches, employers, organizations, governments, and media can bring pain and suffering affecting the body and mind (soul).

Perverse Spirit – Isaiah 19:14 The Lord has mingled (mix) a perverse spirit in her midst; And they have caused Egypt to err in all her work, As a drunken man staggers in his vomit.

Perverse definition:  1). turned away from what is right or good, 2). improper, incorrect.  Synonyms: bullheaded, hard-nosed, hardened, headstrong, immovable, inconvincible, inflexible, obstinate, pigheaded, stiff-necked, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding.

Note: Simply look at the world we live and you will see perversity everywhere. Especially in movies, music, and people.

Spirit of Heaviness – Isaiah To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; Psalm 119:28 That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”  My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.

Note: Heaviness definition: difficult to bear, characterized by severe pain or suffering. Something oppressive, burdened with a heavy spirit.  Slow or dull from loss of vitality or resiliency, sluggish.  Lacking sparkle or vivacity. Lacking mirth or gaiety. Dulled (dullness of spirit) with weariness, drowsy. Oppressive, overwhelming. Laborious, difficult. Having stress.  Sadness; sorrow; dejection of mind; depression of spirits. Proverbs 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop (causes depression).  That which requires great strength to move or overcome; that which creates labor and difficulty; as in heaviness. Heaviness starts with depression and can elevate to an oppressive state.

Spirit of Deep Sleep – Isaiah 29:10 For the Lord has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.  The prophets could no longer discern.

Deep sleep definition:  Very similar to the spirit of stupor.  A condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended spiritual sense or sensibility Romans 11:8 “Eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear.”

Note: Slumber (lethargy and torpor) is very similar to the Deep Sleep Spirit.  Often times in ministry we come across a person who cannot keep their eyes open when reading the bible.  It is a Spirit of Slumber and we cast out this spirit enabling them to stay awake.

Spirit of Darkness – Psalm 69:23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; And make their loins shake continually.

Darkness definition: 1). devoid or partially devoid of light: not receiving, reflecting, transmitting, or radiating light. 2). arising from or showing evil traits or desires: evil. 3). dismal, gloomy. 4). lacking knowledge or culture: unenlightened.  5). relating to grim or depressing circumstances. 6). secrecy. 7). ignorance.  Synonyms: black, darkened, dim, dimmed, gloomy, lightless, murky, obscure, obscured, pitch-black, pitch-dark, somber, unlit.

Note: Similar to the spirits of deep sleep, darkness, and stupor.

Spirit of Depression – Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.

Depression definition: 1). a state of feeling sad: dejection anger, anxiety, and depression. 2) a mood disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies bouts of depression suffering from clinical depression. 3). a reduction in activity, amount, quality, or force a depression in trade. 4). a lowering of physical or mental vitality or of functional activity.  Synonyms: blues, dejection, desolation, despondence, dispirited, doldrums, downheartedness, dreariness, gloominess, heartsickness, inconsolable, joylessness, melancholy, mopes, mournfulness, oppression, sadness, sorrowful, unhappiness.

Note:  Everyone has experience depression (hopelessness and despair) at one level or another.  Depression is mental illness.  Yet most will deny having mental illness.

Spirit of Stupor – Romans 11:8 “God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, To this very day.”

Stupor definition – A condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility. A state of extreme apathy or torpor resulting often from stress, trauma, shock. Synonyms: Languor (weakness or weariness of body or mind), lassitude (fatigue), lethargy (abnormal drowsiness), listlessness, torpor (a). state of mental and motor inactivity with partial or total insensibility b). a state of lowered physiological activity typically characterized by reduced metabolism, heart rate, respiration, and body temperature that occurs in varying degrees), slothful, snoozing, can’t keep eyes open.

Note: Long term exposure to depression results in oppression (a sense of being weighed down in body or mind, a heaviness).  This stupor can include the spiritual in not being able to hear from the Lord or discern (see). Long term oppression in some cases leads to a vegetable state of existence.

Spirit of Confusion - 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Confusion definition – a). being perplexed or disconcerted, b). disoriented with regard to one’s sense of time, place, or identity, c). being disordered or mixed up.  Synonyms: chaotic, cluttered, disarranged, disarrayed, disheveled, disorderly, disorganized, jumbled, messy, muddled, sloppy, topsy-turvy, unkempt, untidy, upside-down, chaos, disorganized, jumbled, shambles, turmoil.

Note:  As I mentioned earlier, a lifetime of being bombarded by these spirits causes confusion.  We are not in touch will reality and we become so confused we are not able to determine right from wrong, good or bad.  Many times, one can look in their eyes and see confusion.  Witchcraft is all about control by Satan and it brings high level confusion.  Deliverance ministers will tell you that people involved in witchcraft are the most difficult to deliver out of `bondage.

Spirit of Delusion - II Thessalonians 2:11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.

Delusion definition: a). something that is falsely or delusively believed or propagated, b). psychology: a persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary.  Synonyms:  conceit, daydream, fantasy, figment (made up), hallucination, illusion, nonentity, pipe dream, unreality, false visions, fantasy.

Note: The spirit of delusion is closely associated with anger.  You have heard the term delusional used after someone explodes with anger.  Anger cannot perceive reality. After an explosion, the person cannot remember what was said or what they did.  Anger will not allow someone to use sound judgement (unsound mind).

Spirit of Fear - 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Fear definition: 1). an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. 2). Anxious. 3). reason for alarm. 4). Afraid.  Synonyms:  afraid, agonize, agitation, anxiety, anxiousness, apprehension, nervousness, apprehension, concern, dismayed, fret, nervousness, stress, terror, uneasiness, worry.

Note: Fear causes depression, Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety (fear) in the heart of man causes depression.  Fear can freeze your mind and will not allow your mind to function properly.  Fear cause great damage to your physical and emotion health.  Fear is a perfect example of the mind body connection. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  One of Satan’s primary weapons he uses against the Body of Christ is FEAR!  Fear can nest in different part of the body causing headaches, high blood pressure, chest pain, back pain, IBS, cramps, constricted blood vessels, causes muscles, tendons, and ligaments to contract, paranoia, and seizures.

Unsound Mind Spirit – 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Unsound definition: not healthy or whole an unsound horse, : not mentally normal : not wholly sane, of unsound mind Synonyms: batty, bedlam, bonkers, brainsick,  crackbrained, cracked, crackpot, crazed, crazy, cuckoo, daffy, demented, deranged, fruity [slang], gaga, haywire, insane, kooky, loco, looney, lunatic, mad, maniac, mental, moonstruck, nuts, nutty, psycho, psychotic, screwy, unbalanced, unhinged, wacko, wacky.

Note: An unsound mind is a result of all that are listed in this teaching. Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  This verse is how we guard our minds from being unsound.

Spirit of Self-pity – Job 10:15 if I am wicked, woe to me; Even if I am righteous, I cannot lift up my head. I am full of disgrace; See my misery! 1 Kings 19:4 And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

Self-pity Definition: excessive, self-absorbed unhappiness over one's own troubles.  Synonyms or near Synonyms: melancholy, blues, dejection, depression, desolation, despondency, dispirited, doldrums, dolefulness, downheartedness, dreariness, gloominess, heartsickness, joylessness, melancholy, miserableness, mopes, mournfulness, oppression, sadness, sorrowfulness, unhappiness, anguish, grief, mourning, somberness, sorrow, woefulness, agony, distress, pain, misery, woe, wretchedness, discouragement, disheartenment, moodiness, despair, desperation, hopelessness, self-despair, boredom, regret.

Note:  I call this the woe as me, nobody cares about me spirit. It is one of the least understood spirits that affects everyone.  Believers and unbelievers alike. One of the most powerful prophets in the Bible when threatened by Jezebel (1 Kings 19) went into a state of depression and wanted to die.  Self-pity set in and causing him to feel unworthy.  Self –Pity can have devastating effects in a person’s life.  Causes one to feel rejected, unloved.  Hopelessness and despair sets in.   Depression, oppression, and self-pity work together to try and destroy one’s soul. Psalm 69:20 Reproach has broken my heart, And I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none.

Generational Mental Illness – Exodus 34:7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity (wickedness) of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

Definition of a Generational Curse: According to Webster’s dictionary, a ‘generation’ is a ‘single step in the line of descent from an ancestor; the time between the birth of parents and the birth of their children.  A generational curse describes the cumulative effect on a person of things that their ancestors did, believed or practiced in the past, and a consequence of an ancestor’s actions, beliefs and sins being passed down.

Note: Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.  Unfortunately, we are born with the sins of our ancestors including mental illness in many cases.  When I see children or young adults with mental illness, cancer or other sicknesses and disease, I believe they have inherited these sicknesses and diseases.  Fact is, wicked stuff comes down the generational line and it must be addressed.  Only God gives us the tools to bring deliverance from generational curses.

HURTS – Also known as offenses. Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!  Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you. 

Offenses definition: Something that outrages the moral or physical senses. The act of displeasing or affronting. The state of being insulted or morally outraged. The act of attacking. A cause or occasion of sin: stumbling block. Synonyms:  resentment, mean, transgression, trespass, violation, wrongdoing.

Note: I think offenses/hurts are the number one cause of mental illness. It is important to consider how offenses can be the roots of mental illness.  Some offenses to consider: Rejection, abandonment, lack of love or compassion from others, bitterness, anger, mental and emotional abuse, spoken curses, false accusations, criticism, divorce, infidelity, lack of recognition, hurt by employer, church, or government, betrayal, cruelty, and discrimination to name a few. And fear that it will happen again by the same or different people, which leads to paranoia. Each and every offense is a trauma in its self and each trauma has a stressor tied to it.  Mental illness is the result of your hurts and bad thoughts from the offenses.

I saved the Spirit of Anger for last because it is so prevalent and very destructive to our mental health.   

Spirit of Anger – Psalm 37:8 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm. Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Anger definition: strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism. Synonyms: angriness, enrage, furor, fury, indignation, incense, inflame, infuriate, irate, ire, lividness, mad, outrage, rage, wrath.

Note: Anger will not allow you brain to function or remember what you said. Past rejection will trigger anger. Anger will not allow one to have a logical mind. Anger will produce accusations and criticisms. They murmur and complain.  They can be stingy because they don’t think you deserve anything from you.  They can have deep regret when anger and wrath subside.  Anger has bitterness and unforgiveness tied to it.  Their anger drives people away resulting in isolation and producing self-pity.  They can’t see how much their anger affects others. They have a tendency to be mad for extended periods of time.  They hold grudges. They slander and gossip.  They have temper tantrums. They don’t find others humor funny when clearly it is humorous, especially with spouses because they have bitterness and unforgiveness towards them. “No” is a big word in their vocabulary. They tend to take an opposite side to anything you say whether it is right or wrong.  They spew profanity. Prone to name calling.  They speak curses against people and people speak curses against them.  Their countenance shows their anger.  They stomp when they are angry.  They perceive correction as rejection resulting in anger.  Angry people many times victimize loved ones because someone else has made them angry.  People will suppress their anger, which results in the anger eating up their insides both physically and emotionally.   Angry people can be very loving, but a trigger (mood swing) can cause them to be very angry. They always bring up past records of hurts. They don’t admit anger, but are quick to blame others for their anger. They hurt the people nearest and dearest to them. Anger can be passed down through the generations as well. Anger causes great confusion. Won’t allow anyone to get in a word edgewise. Won’t admit being wrong. They are hateful.  They think they are entitled to vent their anger.  They murmur and complain. They terrorize others.  They bring fear to others.  They are abusive mentally and physically to others and even themselves.

Conclusion: As I said previously, mankind, especially the medical field, does not know where mental illness comes from.  If you are experiencing the topics and/or symptoms above, you must strongly consider they are tied to mental illness.

I have a vested interest in knowing what the root cause of mental illness and what contributes to mental illness.  I have a close family member who struggles with mental illness every minute of the day.  They are not crazy as mankind is prone to label or judge them.  This person was rejected, abandoned, and virtually unloved by their parents from the womb. They were rejected by one set of grandparents. They feel rejected, abandoned, unworthy, and feel unloved.  They have bitterness, self-bitterness, self-hatred, and are very angry.  They have guilt, shame, and self-condemnation.   They just want to be loved.

The topics discussed bring trauma to the soul (mind/emotions) and body resulting in sicknesses to the soul and the body. These sprits are organized and they work together “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly,” John 10:10.  Unfortunately, we let these spirits have their way because we know very little about spiritual warfare.  We are losing the battle because we do not pray and do not know how to pray effectively.

Just take a minute to think about how all these spirits working in us for years and even decades can wear a person down emotionally and physically. We have been in constant bombardment since the day we were born. The end result is confusion and an unsound mind, also known as mental illness.

I believe the Lord in His mercy shows us in His Word what causes mental illness. The bible has different verses describing mental illness such as being unstable in all their ways (James 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways), having a debased mind (Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting), and a reprobate mind (Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate (debased) mind).  These verses describe the results the topics discussed in this teaching.

Of course, there are different levels of mental illness and not everyone has extreme mental illness, but we all have a level of mental illness. If you have ever been feeling down, you have experienced depression, which is mental illness. Unfortunately, we look to doctors who suggest treatment centers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and prescribe drugs that don’t bring healing.

So, how do we overcome mental illness? First, we need to determine who is the originator of mental illness.  The Bible tells us in John 10:10 “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” The thief is Satan and his army.  Second, imitating Jesus whose ministry included deliverance and healing.  Much of His ministry was devoted to setting the captives free. Third, relying on the Holy Spirit (Helper) to show us how to set the captives free.

Mark 16:17-18  And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”  When we command these unclean spirits to go in Jesus name, they must go!  There is great power and authority in Jesus name.

Jesus tells us in the Great Commission to cast out these tormenting spirits. In addition, His Word tells us to confess our sins (1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness). What sins are we talking about?  The sin of allowing these spirits to torment us. He tells us to change our sinful ways (Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”).

Deliverance is not just a one-time event. We can cast out these unclean spirits, but we let them back.  In other words, we go back to our old ways.  So, we must go through regular deliverance from these evils spirts until their grip gets less and less.  We can’t do it on our own.  Doctors can’t do it.  Drugs definitely will not work.  Our only recourse is to submit to God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit to guide those who have mental illness and the teams conducting the deliverance. God promises healing, but it has to be in faith and in the name of Jesus.  It sometimes takes decades for mental illness to overwhelm people, but it won’t take decades for you to be healed in the name of Jesus.  We win the battle through spiritual warfare.  All spiritual warfare is prayer.

A second type of deliverance can be performed by the individual and it may surprise you. It is found in James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Believers in Jesus Christ are called to seek forgiveness for their sins — something that was made freely available by Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. Repentance is an essential act that is covered throughout the New Testament scriptures, with believers embracing Jesus’ sacrifice and making a concerted effort to change their ways. Forgiveness and repentance are fixtures in the New Testament. Yet, the church, the Body of Jesus Christ, ignores this important aspect of our Christine walk even though it is the first step in the doctrines of Jesus Christ,  Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine (teachings) of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. When was the last time your pastor preached on true repentance?

At its core, repentance is a routine and consistent act that includes not only an admission of wrongdoing, but also a pledge to do better. According to Merriam-Webster, the repentance definition is “to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life.” Since every human sin every day, Christ’s death offers forgiveness to all those who are willing to engage in repentance. The Bible makes this clear again and again.

Sin

First step is to understand how sin works in our lives. We have to acknowledge that sin is a huge issue in our lives. We are oblivious to how much we sin every day. In the world today, right has become wrong and wrong has become right.  Most of us are operating in the gray area between right and wrong and if we don’t repent, we will become slaves to sin, Romans 6:20-22 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

Second step is we must identify the sin and where it originates from.  Sin most often comes from three places, the individual’s sin, sin from others and past generations sin. Sin will bring us into bondage and will compromise our relationship with our Father.  Sin brings into a gray area of not knowing right from wrong.  Sin will affect our faith and our health including mental illness. This is outlined in Hebrews 61:1-2 and it shows us the progression of Jesus’s doctrines from repentance to faith.  We need to repent so that we can have faith in God’s truth leading to laying on of hands for healing.  Sin will not allow us complete faith without getting rid of sin through repentance.

When we confess sin to God, sin is extinguished because Jesus died on the cross for our sin.  It releases us from the curses relating to our health in Deuteronomy 28:15-68.  Repent to get rid of sin the sins of others and we are healed.  It must be done consistently. 

Below is a simple prayer of repentance that will lead to healing according to God’s Word.  You can use it for yourself or you can lead someone else in this prayer. It is advisable to confess the sins of the past generations as well.  “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit,” Ezekiel 18:30-31.

Prayer: Father, in Jesus name, I come before Your thrown of grace and mercy to confess my sins to you _____. Lord, I am truly sorry for these sins and I ask you to forgive me. I choose to repent of my sins and I ask You to help me because I cannot do this by my own power.  I ask You to give me a new heart and a new spirit so that I can be free from sin.

Why do we all have some level of mental illness?  Isn’t it the result of how people have treated us allowing their actions to affect us causing mental illness? We have been taken captive with mental illness.  Very basic, but over the top profound.

Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the  poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (depression); That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”                                                                                                                    Tony Sanchez 5/20/2020

Fighting Covid 19

Spiritual Warfare

We are in a huge battle with this pandemic.  It brings fear, hopelessness, despair, depression, oppression, and anger to name a few.  How are we going to combat this? Prayer!  All spiritual warfare is tied to prayer.  We can’t defeat the dark kingdom without prayer in the name of Jesus.  This pandemic can be overcome faster if every believer would just pray throughout the day. God’s promise in His Word says: Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you, Luke 10:19.  If you have trouble knowing how to pray, just ask the Holy Spirit, Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Romans 8:26 or speak Scripture out loud in the name of Jesus.

The subject of spiritual warfare that we are about to discuss is the most neglected and unknown subject in the Christian world. The church does not educate the flock to the degree that is necessary to overcome the enemy. This subject is virtually ignored. At least one quarter of the ministry of Jesus Christ was casting out unclean spirits. Not only was Jesus busy casting out demons but he had to deal with everyone from Satan to the Pharisees to doubters coming against him.

Satan and his dark kingdom are always at work trying to destroy us. John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. He comes at us in so many ways and we don’t know how to stop it because of our lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Yet, if we read God’s Word we would find our authority to be able to battle the enemy and if we called on the Holy Spirit, we are promised answers, He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him Psalm 91:15.

Our Authority: Mark 16:17 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons. John 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

My wife and I began studying spiritual warfare and deliverance in 2003 out of necessity. We wanted to understand why things were happening to us that had no rhyme or reason. Through research, studying and meditating in the Bible, and getting revelation and answers from the Holy Spirit, we began to understand how the enemy works. There is so much we don’t know. With that knowledge, attacks from the dark kingdom began and the battle has been intense for my wife and I. Understand, Satan does not want you to know about him. He does not want you to learn the authority in Jesus name that you have over him and the dark kingdom.

A special note to consider. When God chooses you or others to do work for God’s Kingdom such as church ministries or standing in the gap as an intercessor, you can expect Satan to do everything in his power to stop it. The attacks could come from temptation, doubts, fear, incurable diseases, and pride to name a few. Finally, some of the biggest attacks come from people in your private life (especially families), church, and your professional life.

Elijah the prophet was a great man chosen by God who came against Jezebel’s hundreds (1 Kings 18:22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men) of false prophets in a showdown of their gods and the God of Israel. Long story short, Elijah won out and destroyed the false prophets (1 Kings 18:40 And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!” So, they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there). Jezebel did not like this and 1 Kings 19 shows how Satan can work through people like Jezebel to come against God’s people.

1 Kings 19:1-4

Elijah Flees from Jezebel – Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers."

Satan used Jezebel to come against Elijah who was so distraught (spirit of depression/hopelessness/despair) that he wanted to kill himself (spirit of death). As you can determine by this story, Satan is very powerful and we are at risk. He never rests and he is relentless.

Things to remember about Satan:

New believers in Christ have a special place in the kingdom. Understand that we have to nurture them, protect them, and prepare them for the battle because Satan will work to get them to go back to their old ways. He will go after your family to get to you.  He will use other people to come against you.

He will always use your areas of weakness (bondages) to attack you. He will always go after your soul.  He will attack your physical body as he did in Job. Most people attribute cancer and other diseases to lack of exercise, diets, or being exposed to different things, but refuse to believe that Satan or spiritual forces may be at work. This is exactly what the enemy wants us to believe. This is why Jesus gives us the authority to heal (Mark 16:18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover).  because he knew we would need this authority to heal. We all have weaknesses and we have to know them.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Do not allow yourself to be destroyed due to a lack of knowledge. Don’t depend on anyone to educate or teach you. The Bible, The Holy Spirit, warfare books and knowledgeable people are available to show you how to overcome the enemy.

Believe and use The Whole Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10:18 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

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PTSD

TRAUMAS – Physical Injuries and Emotional Hurts

Traumas as defined in the dictionary is an emotional and/or physical stressor.  A stressor in its simplest form is fear and is a burden to one’s well-being. A trauma is the occurrence and the stressors are the fears attached to the occurrence (trauma). 

Fear definition: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger; an instance of this emotion; a state marked by this emotion; to be afraid of; expect with alarm. Synonyms for fear: alarm, anxiety, dread, fearfulness, fright, horror, panic, scare, terror, trepidation, stress, nervousness, uneasy, alarm, dread, distress, wary, anxiety, phobia, and worry.

Fear is a spirit and it does not come from God (“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,” 2 Timothy 1:7).  Fear comes from Satan who seeks to destroy you with fear.

Traumas come in all sizes from the littlest trauma to the biggest.  Each of us has had a constant lifetime exposure to traumas of all sizes that affect our physical and emotional well-being leading to what the medical field calls PTSD.  A lifetime of fears from traumas pile up leading to emotional sickness and physical disease.  Traumas and the fears will stay with us until we receive ministry to eradicate them.

PTSD   Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event or a series of lessor traumatic events — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, and severe anxiety (fear), as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event that play over and over in your mind consuming one’s thoughts.

Physical traumas and the resulting fear can affect every part of our body starting in one area and spreading to other areas including muscles, tendons, ligaments, organs (especially the brain), blood and air flow, skin disorders, itching, joint, neck, and back pain, immune system, and nerve damage, to name a few.

Spirits of: self-sabotage, anger, self-retaliation, bitterness, self-bitterness, hatred, self-hatred, guilt, shame, self-condemnation, rejection, unloving, and depression. Victim spirits: fear (as in stress, worry, panic, pressure, dread, fright, horror, scare, terror, nervousness, tenseness, afraid, anxiety, un-forgiveness of others, and self.

Major Physical Traumas:

1. Accidents and injuries are a major source of traumas no matter how small. 
2. Physical abuse from another person are another major source of trauma.
3. Rejection by parents, spouses, siblings, friends, church, employers, organizations, teams, etc.
4. Medical procedures and operations.
5. Sexual abuse

Major Emotional Traumas:

1. Victimization by parents’ spouses, siblings, relatives, partners, friends, jobs, bosses, government, churches, social workers, teachers, surgeons/doctors, ER workers, organizations, and even victimization of self where one has self-hatred, self-bitterness, and un-forgiveness towards self.
2. Rejection by parents, spouses, siblings, friends, church, employers, organizations, teams, etc.
3. Loss of job, house, spouse, partner, friendship, or self-worth.
4. Death of someone close to us.
5. Exposure to ongoing traumas as a soldier, EMT, Fire fighter, policeman, etc. 
6. Emotional abuse
7. Spoken curses.
8. Sexual abuse
9. Social Media

Number one cause of traumas: SIN!

Curses on Disobedience – “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: Deuteronomy 28:15.

Disobedience as it relates to sin.  Verses 15-68 lists sickness and disease as a result of sin and other sicknesses and diseases not listed in the bible, Verse 61 Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this Book of the Law, will the Lord bring upon you until you are destroyed.  Every sin can traumatize your body and soul which is the temple of God, Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. Example: Cancer is a trauma to the soul and body.  So, all sickness and diseases are traumas to your being.

Not to be overlooked are traumas (physical and emotional abuse) perpetrated by the previous generations and passed on to us in the form of fear, unloving, rejection, addictions, etc. (‘The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation’ Numbers 14:18).

In addition, curses coming out of the mouth of any generation (especially current generations) has a profound effect on those who have been cursed (Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so, James 3:10). Murder by the tongue does great damage. Take authority over the generational curses.  Curses are traumas.  It is important to tear down the assignment of words spoken that would give the enemy a legal right to orchestrate circumstances causing accidents/injuries/traumas. Also, take authority over programming in the mind (memories) created by the traumas.

Trauma Examples:

Babies in womb who are not expected or wanted.

Any trauma the mother experiences while pregnant.  Fear is passed on to the child and can result in colic.

Failure of the father or mother to show love resulting in rejection that can stay with them through a lifetime.

Bullying

Boyfriend or girlfriend break up.

Lost job.  Many lose their identity

Medical emergency and medical issues

Sport or accident concussions.

Disrespectful children, family, friends, employers, churches, and organizations.

Cheating spouse

Addictions

Continuous anger and rage

Constant criticism and accusations.  Any hurtful spoken word can be perceived and received as trauma.

Continuous rejection

Exposure to chemicals, cigarettes, and drugs.

Divorce

The stressor (fear) attached to a trauma is a spirit and it is imperative that the physical or emotional stressors (fear) attached to the trauma be removed (cast out in the name of Jesus). 

There is a mind/body connection within our being.  Traumas to your soul can cause physical and emotional issues.  Traumas to your physical can cause emotional and physical issues.

PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder: (PTSD) is a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that result in psychological trauma. This event may involve the threat of death to oneself or to someone else, or to one's own or someone else's physical, sexual, or psychological integrity, overwhelming the individual's ability to cope. As an effect of psychological trauma, PTSD is less frequent and more enduring than the more commonly seen post-traumatic stress (also known as acute stress response). Diagnostic symptoms for PTSD include re-experiencing the original trauma through flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of stimuli (sounds or smell or voice) associated with the trauma, and increased arousal—such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, anger, and hyper vigilance (experience of being constantly tense and "on guard).

The symptoms of PTSD are a result of people focusing too much on the circumstance, occurrence, and the situation.  We ponder, contemplate, and play the trauma over and over in our mind giving Satan great power to crush us.  Instead of just glancing at the trauma and focusing on the solution that God has already promised us to come out of it, we open up the door of the trauma and resulting PTSD to take us in to captivity.

What are the symptoms of PTSD? – PTSD symptoms can be grouped into three categories:

1. Re-experiencing symptoms:

• Flashbacks—reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, or panic attacks.
• Bad dreams.
• Frightening thoughts.
• Re-experiencing symptoms may cause problems in a person’s everyday routine. They can start from the person’s own thoughts and feelings. Satan can sneak in a thought to remind you as well.  Words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event can also trigger re-experiencing.

2. Avoidance symptoms:

• Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience
• Feeling emotionally numb which is oppression.
• Feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry
• Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past
• Having trouble remembering the dangerous event.

Things that remind a person of the traumatic event can trigger avoidance symptoms. These symptoms may cause a person to change his or her personal routine. For example, after a bad car accident, a person who usually drives may avoid driving or riding in a car.  Can include avoiding a person in public.

3. Hyper-arousal symptoms: a state of increased psychological and physiological tension

• Being easily startled
• Feeling tense or “on edge”
• Having difficulty sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts.

Hyper-arousal symptoms are usually constant, instead of being triggered by things that remind one of the traumatic events. They can make the person feel stressed and angry. These symptoms may make it hard to do daily tasks, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating.

It’s natural to have some of these symptoms after a dangerous event. Sometimes people have very serious symptoms that go away after a few weeks. This is called acute stress disorder, or ASD. When the symptoms last more than a few weeks and become an ongoing problem, they might be PTSD. Some people with PTSD don’t show any symptoms for weeks or months until a trigger sets PTSD in motion.  It is important to consider all levels of traumas, small, medium, and large throughout our lives, as they all greatly contribute to PTSD as we increase in age. 

Note:  The fear from past emotional and physical traumas can trigger other fear related issues such as panic attacks, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, upset stomach, IBS, diarrhea, constipation, migraines, shortness of breath, blurred vision, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, shock, anger, irritability, mood swings, guilt, shame, condemnation, sorrow, self-pity, oppression, numbness, self-neglect, self-hatred, rejection, self-rejection, being disconnected or withdrawn, confusion memory issues, brain freeze, feeling lost, hopelessness and despair, dizziness, flash backs, and unable to process the simplest of things. Chronic sickness (such as coughing) or pain (injuries such as back pain) is a red flag that there is  trauma/PTSD at work. These are a few and there are many more. This is classic PTSD that comes as a result of traumas.  My position is that everyone suffers PTSD symptoms at one level or another.

Unfortunately, there are many other physical and emotional side effects that Satan swill use to destroy you. (The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy John 10:10). God comes to give us life.

Sadly, the medical field does not have the answers to bring healing to those who have experienced traumas and the resulting PTSD.  Doctors have treated PTSD with drugs that won’t bring healing. The medical field attempts to treat symptoms with therapy and counselling, with questionable results.  We are not seeing the success we need to bring PTSD victims out of captivity (“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound Isaiah 61:1).

Only God can heal, but through ministry, in the name of Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can and must treat the root cause of traumas and the resulting PTSD. 

Healing of trauma in ministry:

1.  Personally, I had a construction injury to my thumb knuckle 30 years ago.  For the past thirty years my knuckle ached and had pain constantly.  As I was learning about traumas six months ago, I decided to apply what I learned.  So, in the name of Jesus, I commanded the trauma of the injury and the stressor attached to the traumas to depart and go to the dry places.  Next day, I noticed the pain was gone and it has not returned.  Any chronic issues such as coughing, pain, etc. can have traumas and fears as a root cause.

2. Recently, we had a new member in our bible study that severe back pain for 20 years due to an accident. We commanded the trauma and the stressor to depart in Jesus name. Two weeks later I asked him how is back was doing since we prayed for him.  He gave us a quizzical look, smiled, and said “I don’t have any pain.” He did not realize that his back had been healed in the name of Jesus.

3. When person complains of lower back pain it is a sign that fear may be the root of the pain.  Fear (worry, stress, anxiety) is a trauma and many times it causes the length of the arms and legs to be uneven.  Especially legs, where we have seen one leg shorter by up to three inches.  Most often, this is accompanied by lower back pain or neck pain.  The fear builds up and builds up causing the tendons, muscles, and ligaments to contract and most often the fear nests in these and other areas.  We have ministered to hundreds of people with these issues.  We simple command the shorter leg or arm to grow out the same length as the other leg or arm in the name of Jesus.  Right before their eyes, they see the leg grow out to same length as the other leg.  Then, we command the fear nesting in the back, neck or any other area to depart and go to the dry places in the name of Jesus.  They are either healed immediately or the pain in most cases gone within 24 hours.  Only a few times did it take longer.

4. We had a lady who was victimized (traumatized) by her husband for many years.  She had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and struggled with this disease for years.  We proceeded to identify the roots of this disease that included, unloving, rejection, not feeling worthy, self-rejection, unloving of self, to name a few and cast these out in the name of Jesus.  It was a long process but she is now free from this immune disease that the medical field could not cure.

5.  We had a sister in Christ who rear ended another car and the accident caused her great fear and anxiety driving or riding in a car. She came to our bible study and we ministered to the fear attached to the trauma. We commanded the fear to depart from her. She could feel the fear departing from her.  We were able to minister to her early so that it did not become a more serious problem later.  She was able to overcome the accident (trauma) that caused her great fear.

What is the root of a trauma? FEAR! Fear is a spirit and “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,” 2 Timothy 1:7.  Cast out the fear associated with the trauma (occurrence) and there is healing in the name of Jesus.

It is very frustrating when believers and un-believers ignore solutions that God gives us. God’s healing is available in His Word (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit.  Yet the vast majority have little faith in this or other articles. They will fail to apply His promises of healing and they will continue to suffer.                                                                               

Mankind has made things very complicated because they rely on their own understanding instead of relying on what God has shown us in His Word.  Unlike mankind, God gives us uncomplicated solutions that work. I pray that this will help you understand how traumas can affect your life.                                                                                   

Tony Sanchez 2-10-20