The Dominance and Deceit of Depression - Part Three
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 (KJV, emphasis mine)
I open this week’s blog with a statement that is situated in spiritual conviction: Depression is not a disease. This is my position because of my biblical world view. I hold true that Scripture reigns supreme over science because of its source: GOD the Holy Spirit. I also have a cemented conviction that calls me to have a high view of Scripture. When the Scriptures speak to various areas of science (Biology, Geology, Paleontology, Psychology, etc.) they vigorously speak truthfully and authoritatively.
All of us that are born of His Spirit, submissive to His Spirit and filled/controlled by His Spirit recognize with steadfast certainty that our God absolutely transcends the astuteness of any finite being.
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” Romans 8:33-34 (KJV)
“Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147:5 (KJV)
“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.” Isaiah 40:28 (KJV)
Having made this statement, I do concede that there are cases where a biological breakdown will trigger feelings of depression that may be limited or long-lasting. However, I humbly submit to you that many symptoms and sicknesses defined as depression are the consequences of decisions and habits that prohibited the principles of God’s Word and the presence and power of His Spirit. What is often defined as depression stems from fleshly responses to circumstances as well as our perceptions of other people.
Depression that branches from unbiblical behavior can be conquered as opposed to coped with by confronting your carnality with Christ the Lord’s Word. When we are exercising humility we will acknowledge that our ascending attitude is pride. Pride directs our perception and reaction to events or circumstances and consequently dumps us into depression. Conviction by the Holy Spirit, submission to the Holy Spirit and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit calls one to a commitment to conform to the likeness of Christ .
Respectfully, it’s not a pill or medicine but power and might that will place you in a position to live a life pleasing the Lord. This is the reward for being resolute to revere the Lord as opposed to yourself.
Consider with me the heart of a man who moved from unbiblical behavior (pride and depression) to biblical behavior by exercising humility which resulted in internal healing.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32: 1-5 (KJV, emphasis mine)
David allowed the darkness in his heart to be pierced by the light of God’s perspective about his sin instead of allowing the darkness of his own perspective and man centered philosophies to dictate his direction.
Are you purposing to please God or please the false god a.k.a. self? Make a decision to surrender to the light of God’s truth today and be set free from the dominance and deceit of depression.
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR