Delightintheword.org

IMMANUEL BIBLE CHURCH ■ 2428 Superior Ave. ■ Sheboygan, WI 53081 ■ www.DelightintheWORD.org Psychological Labels that Disguise SinLet’s just admit it: taking a pill is easier than submitting to the Holy Spirit It does not surprise me that the mental health industry continues to create and propagate new labels for human behavior that minimize personal responsibility. Human nature has always practiced blameshifting (Gen. 3:12-13). It also does not surprise me that pharmaceutical companies continue to create expensive new drugs to treat this ever-growing list of disorders. Human nature has always been covetous (Ps. 10:3). But what does amaze me is how many Christians swallow psychological poison on a daily basis through the media and even use their labels in everyday language as if they depict life as God sees it. Therefore, it is time to expose more of the devil’s deception. Consider five of the hundreds of examples present in our disordered world.
PSYCHOLOGICAL LABEL
BIBLICAL DIAGNOSIS
From the “Experts” in Human Behavior: the Mental Health Industry Bipolar Disorder
 Symptoms: recurrent episodes of mania (excitability,
 Root problem: the indwelling sin nature demonstrating
irritability, anxiety) and depression, many times both in itself by inner conflict and sometimes what appears to be out-of-control behavior; emotions in charge of the will;  Treatment: mood-stabilizing drugs plus an anti-depressant
possibly unconfessed sin (Jer. 17:9; Rom. 7:14-25; 2 Pet. 2:14; Ps. 32)  Solution: repentance, redemption, self-control, choosing to
trust God not self, obedience, walking in the Spirit, taking personal responsibility for one’s behavior (Gal. 5:23; 2 Pet. 1:6; Ps 56:3; Matt. 7:24; 10:28; Rom. 14:12) Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Undisciplined Behavior/Foolishness
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
 Root problem: the indwelling sin nature demonstrating
 Symptoms: often fails to give close attention to details or
itself by an infatuation with self (self-esteem); disrespect makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other toward others, foolishness, laziness, stubbornness, and a activities; often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks; lack of self-discipline (2 Tim. 3:2; Prov. 1:7; 24:30-31; often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly; often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish  Solution: repentance, redemption, self-discipline produced
schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to through firm and consistent discipline from faithful parents, oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions); learning to be faithful with one’s responsibilities, others- often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities; often esteem, taking personal responsibility for one’s behavior avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that (Prov. 13:24; Eph. 6:4; Phil. 2:3; Luke 16:10; Rom. 14:12) require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework); often loses things necessary for tasks or Note: Ritalin is the most common drug used to treat this activities; is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli; supposed “disorder” and is a powerful stimulant comparable to cocaine and is one of the most dangerously addictive drugs used  Treatment: drugs such as Ritalin, Prozac, Luvox, and
Panic Disorder (Anxiety Attacks)
Fear/Misplaced Trust/Anxiety
 Symptoms: fear accompanied by symptoms such as
 Root problem: the indwelling sin nature demonstrating
palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, itself by lack of trust in God, which is usually trust that is sensations of choking or smothering, chest pain, nausea or misplaced in self; the pride of self-sufficiency; worry (Jer. gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, tingling sensations, and chills or blushing and “hot flashes.”  Solution: repentance, redemption, replacing fear of man
 Treatment: drugs such as benzodiazepines, anti-
with fear of God; practicing prayer; submitting emotions to depressants, mild tranquilizers, beta blockers, and others.
the will; taking personal responsibility for one’s behavior(Phil. 4:6-7; Matt. 10:28; 1 Pet. 5:6-7; Rom. 14:12 ) IMMANUEL BIBLE CHURCH ■ 2428 Superior Ave. ■ Sheboygan, WI 53081 ■ www.DelightintheWORD.org Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Rebellion
 Symptoms: A childhood disorder described as a pattern of
 Root problem: the indwelling sin nature demonstrating
negativistic, hostile, and defiant behavior lasting at least 6 itself by pride, rebellion, disrespect, anger, and months, during which four (or more) of the following are blameshifting (Prov. 12:15; 15:5; 17:10; 25:28; 1 Sam. present: loss of temper, arguing with adults, active defiance 15:23; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:10;-18; Gen. 3:12-13) or refusal to comply with adult’s requests or rules, deliberately annoying people, blaming others for his or her  Solution: repentance, redemption, humility, submission to
mistakes or misbehavior, being easily annoyed by others, authority, self-control, obedience, firm and consistent often angry and resentful, and often spiteful or vindictive, discipline from faithful parents, forgiveness, taking 75% of children continue to display symptoms in personal responsibility for one’s behavior (1 Pet. 5:5; Eph. 6:1-3; Rom. 13:1-7; Prov. 13:24; 26:3; Eph 4:31; Rom.  Treatment: stimulant drugs, individual psychotherapy,
Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism)
Voluntary Bondage to Sinful Desires
 Symptoms: repeated alcohol use, a pattern of compulsive
 Root problem: the indwelling sin nature demonstrating
alcohol use, and (sometimes) physiological dependence on itself by selfishness, avoiding responsibility, foolishness, alcohol (i.e., tolerance and/or symptoms of withdrawal). and being controlled by the lusts of the flesh (Prov. 23:31- “Alcohol Abuse” defined as “a destructive pattern of alcohol use, leading to significant social, occupational, or medical impairment.”  Solution: repentance, redemption, self-control, others-
esteem, spiritual sobriety, taking personal responsibility for  Treatment: a treatment program designed for people who
one’s behavior, (Gal. 5:23; 1 Pet. 5:8; Phil. 2:3; 1 Cor. Note: The disease model is everywhere, but is nowhere more present than in the area of alcohol abuse. This is due in great part to the influence of Alcoholics Anonymous and its founder, Bill Wilson who first popularized it. Turn from the Deception of Psychology
Turn to the Truth of God and His Word
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted is falsely called “knowledge”--which some have professed and to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us 1 Timothy 6:20-21
2 Peter 1:2-3
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for to the elementary principles of the world, reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Colossians 2:8
2 Timothy 3:16-17
But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity but he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.
Proverbs 29:25
2 Corinthians 11:3
Rather than falling prey to a false, “my chemical imbalance made me do it,” philosophy of life, believers in Jesus Christ have the indwelling Spirit of God and the all-sufficient Word of God to deal with the conflict of indwelling sin and the trouble of living in a sinful world. As simplistic as they may sound, the words of the old hymn still ring true: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Calling you back to the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ,

Source: http://www.delightintheword.org/home/755/755/files/Psychological_Labels.pdf