What does the Bible say about mental illness, KJV? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Mental illness is very prevalent in the world today. In America, 20% of adults and 10 to 15% of teenagers suffer a mental illness.
If you are a Christian and have seen the prevalence of mental illness in the modern world, you’ve got to ask yourself what the Bible says about mental illness KJV.
The Bible does not directly address the question of mental illnesses, except in Deuteronomy 28:28
The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart. Deuteronomy 28:28 KJV
In the above verse, God was warning the Israelites on what would be the consequences of rebellion. King Nebuchadnezzar lives this verse that can frighten some people. In Daniel 4:31-32, we read how God humbled the heathen King by afflicting his mind.
31 While the word was in the King’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Where Does Mental Illness Come From?
Does mental illness come from rebellion? What does the Bible say about mental illness In the KJV? It looks like it was the case in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar. The Bible also has the account of King Saul, who was afflicted by a demon spirit that would leave when David came and played the harp in his presence.
While biblical accounts may point to rebellion as a cause of mental illness, it is not always the cause.
Remember, the brain is an organ just like any other. Any other part of your body can be sick, so too the brain can have a chemical imbalance. At times the brain is just ill.
Another case of a mental illness in the Bible is Jonah. Jonah was fearful and made bad choices, resulting in him exhibiting signs of depression. He endured a terrible storm as he fled from the assignment God was giving him. He ended up thrown into the sea and swallowed by a fish, in whose belly he remained for three days. He prayed to God, and the fish spat him onto the land. He proceeded to fulfil what God had sent him to do but was already depressed. If he had done what God had told him to do in the first place, he would not have endured so much that it made him depressed.
Trauma is another cause of mental illness. In Ruth 1, we see Naomi enduring a mental illness. She had grieved the loss of her husband and two sons in a foreign land. She was needy and depressed as she returned to her people with her daughter-in-law. The townspeople did not even recognize her because of how afflicted she was.
Other Stories of Mental Illness in The Bible
The Bible has other stories of those who endured mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Here they are.
Elijah
Elijah slayed 400+ prophets of Baal, and Queen Jezebel put a price on his head. Elijah became fearful and very troubled. He fled for his life and cried to the Lord in his despair.
“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4 NIV).
He remained depressed and in despair for 40 days and nights, completely unable to meet his personal needs.
David
The most famous of Israel’s Kings was known as a man after God’s own heart. David dealt with quite a bit and wrote many psalms of lament that told the story of what was happening in his mind. He was the least favored of his father’s sons, King Saul wanted to slay him even though he remained loyal to the rejected King, and his son betrayed him. Out of the depths of despair, he wrote
Psalm 6:6-7 (NIV) says, “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.”
Martha
Martha was anxious and upset by so much, which was showing because she had guests at her house. Mary, her sister, sat at the feet of Jesus instead of helping with food preparations for the guests. Quite frustrated, Martha finally talked to Jesus about it.
“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me.” The Lord answered her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and upset about many things, when only one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:40-42 NCB).
God’s Heart To Us and What The Bible Says About Mental Illness KJV
Many people facing mental illnesses wonder if God even cares about them. I struggled with this a lot. I felt abandoned by God. After getting my diagnosis, I got medicated, began feeling rejected, and yearned to return to the relationship I once had with a loving, caring God. God felt very distant.
I came under condemnation, and since I had not been taught, I became condemned. It was easy to accuse God. But according to the word of God, He is a loving, caring and good God.
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Psalm 145:8 KJV
God always does His part, but we have to choose right. It is helpful to ask a question such as what does the Bible say about mental illness KJV when you consider the feelings of rejection and isolation a person with a mental illness may experience. Even if the Bible may not specifically exhaustively address mental health issues, we can know from the character of God what He feels about such illnesses.
Our God’s patience is beyond our understanding. He guides us with His tender mercies and lovingkindness to remain in him. He is always there to help us despite our frailty. Jesus, who is a perfect representation of what God is, never turned anyone who went to him away. So, you can be sure of His love despite what illness afflicts your mind.
God’s Nature Compared To The Enemy’s Nature
When the Holy Spirit comes to make his home in you, you begin to see his fruits in your life. His fruits show His nature, and they are described in Gal 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 KJV
The enemy always pits himself against God. So, his nature must be the precise opposite of what is described in the above passage.
He comes into the life of a believer and sets up strongholds so that the believer lives in a state of hopelessness, torment, overwhelming fear, oppression, heaviness, self-conflict, bitterness and others.
We must reject the enemy’s thoughts by not agreeing with his ideas. You must agree with the emotions and thoughts that are from God to keep the enemy at bay and become a partaker of His Nature.
The book of Job is an excellent example of how the enemy can access our lives through open doors. Job was fearful, and thus he agreed with the enemy, creating an inroad into his life.
Yet, the Bible also clearly shows in the book of Job that the Lord restricts the enemy’s power in our lives.
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Job 1:5 KJV
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:9-12 KJV
Back to our question of this post, what does the Bible say about mental illness KJV? We see in the story of Job God’s kind nature. He is not an angry, vindictive God who afflicts us. It was indeed Satan who tormented Job. God did allow it but did restrict Satan. Even in times of temptation, he does not allow the enemy free reign in our lives. This is clearly stated in 1Cor 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
The Enemy Comes To Steal, Kill And Destroy
Where the enemy is, there is division and subtraction. God is precisely the opposite. Where he is, there is addition, multiplication, and peace.
The fiend brings destruction and harm, while the Lord brings blessings, renewal and restoration. What you see in your life is the fruit of what you agree with and what influences your life. This is not meant to condemn anyone but should be an eye-opener.
If what you have in your life is broken relationships, loss, disease, and destruction, then there must be an open door in your life that is allowing Satan to bring such issues upon you. But if you seek God, His Ways, and His heart, you will recover all that the enemy has stolen. He will give you peace, joy, and blessings, fully reverse the enemy’s effects and restore everything.
Encouragement When Suffering Mental Illness
The Bible has some scriptures that directly address mental health and many others that offer encouragement to those suffering. Whatever you cope with, be it schizophrenia, bipolar, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, depression or any other, you can find solace in the Bible.
Here are some scriptures for comfort, hope and encouragement during tough times. All the scriptures below are taken from the KJV bible.
Scriptures On What The New Testament Says About Mental Illness, KJV
Matthew 4:24 – And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Matthew 11:28 – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 17:14-20 – And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, (Read More…)
Luke 1:37 – For with God nothing shall be impossible.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Acts 20:35 – I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 12:2 – 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 12:12 – Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Romans 12:16 – Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2 Corinthians 12:9 – And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:10 – Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Read More…)
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 John 4:1 – Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Scriptures On What The Old Testament Says About Mental Illness, KJV
Psalms 23:1-6 – (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Read More…)
Psalms 34:17-20 – The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. (Read More…)
Psalms 56:11 – In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 43:1-28 – But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (Read More…)
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end
Psalms of lament are the following.
3, 4, 5, 7, 9-10, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 36, 39, 40:12-17, 41, 42-43, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 64, 70, 71, 77, 86, 89, 120, 139, 141, 142
There you have it. Do you have any comments on what the Bible says about mental illness KJV? Are there any scriptures you have found particularly helpful during dark times? I found the psalms of lament particularly encouraging. Share your stories in the comments.