Does the enemy use depression as as tool? (Full Version)

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deliveredarling -> Does the enemy use depression as as tool? (8/3/2008 7:16:05 AM)

My Pastor seems to think so. He did a sermon on depression after returning from a mission trip to Uganda. He told us to take notes because we never know when it will strike or to what extent. We all are susceptible to depression. This thread is not for debate as there is a OST for that. Hopefully, it will be to encourage those who are suffering from it.

Here are a few points he had to make, based off of 1 Kings 19:1-8:

Characteristics of depression:
1. Fear
2. resentment
3. low self esteem and guilt
4. anger
5. loneliness
6. worry

The curable course
1. Physical refreshment
2. inward renewal
3. upward revival.

Just as a side note, these people suffered from depression in the OT:

Moses
Jonah
David
Elijah

Depression is prison of the soul.

Thoughts?



Cloak -> RE: Does the enemy use depression as as tool? (8/3/2008 3:29:44 PM)

Great post to which I agree 100%! I believe the devil would use anything no matter how small or trivial to draw us away from God, faith and our Christian walk. That's why we have to be vigilant and awake at all times.

Thanks for the pointers!



kyl -> RE: Does the enemy use depression as as tool? (8/3/2008 4:09:42 PM)

Personal opinion of mine is that (depression) is a catch all word that is too convenient for a lot of people.
Most of the characteristics of depression you listed are sin!!
For which the cure is repentance and refocusing on the Lord and his word.
Their are people who suffer from true depression possibly because of medical reasons and they should not be made to feel bad about something which they have no control over.
I think we are all susceptible to sorrow,grief,confusion,wearyness at times in our life.
But those can be healthy emotions which are nesscessary for us to get through difficult times and help us grow.
There are times like when we lose a loved one or other times when going through a time of grief and sorrow is actually a time of healing.
People often times refer to this as going through depression when it is a truly normal reaction.



deliveredarling -> RE: Does the enemy use depression as as tool? (8/3/2008 4:18:43 PM)

quote:

Their are people who suffer from true depression possibly because of medical reasons and they should not be made to feel bad about something which they have no control over.


Didn't mean to imply any different.

Yes, there are sins in that list. Holding onto them and not releasing them gives way to depression, that's why it's important to have spiritual renewal.

Not discounting medical issues at all. The point was that any of us can fall prey to depression.



slushie -> RE: Does the enemy use depression as as tool? (8/3/2008 4:26:29 PM)

I liked deliveredarling's post! [;)]

Yes, the enemy CAN and does use depression as a tool. He'd do anything to draw as away. And depression... it's just (for me) this deep dark feeling that comes out of nowhere and makes me not want to do anything, or care about anything (or care about myself too much).



deliveredarling -> RE: Does the enemy use depression as as tool? (8/3/2008 4:35:24 PM)

Thanks Slushie. I've been "hearing" some "dark" posts as of late. I remembered the sermon and hoped that it might help those who are currently experiencing depression.

Everyone wants a solution, sometimes it's self recognition, sometimes it's medicine, but the cure is always Jesus.



rcjames -> RE: Does the enemy use depression as as tool? (8/3/2008 4:45:16 PM)

I don't know about using depression as a tool, but the devil will sure use it as an invitation.

Since one of the reasons Christ came was to deliver believers of depression;

quote:

(Luk 4:18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (Luk 4:19) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.


Then evidently those who call themselves Christian, but are still depressed are weak in their understanding of Christ's mission or in their faith. And that would be a wide open invitation to the devil to "Come on over".

Thsnks
RC



ta_mosquito -> RE: Does the enemy use depression as as tool? (8/3/2008 5:05:08 PM)

In an attempt to consolidate for the purpose of effective moderation we have created a couple One Stop threads for the topic of mental health. Therefore, this thread on the topic is being closed.

Please continue your discussion in one of the following One Stop Threads.

Click on one of the following links:

Mental Health Encouragement & Support

Mental Health Debate

Thank you!
Tricia
Forums Moderator

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