Spirit of Heaviness

Part1

Depression can happen to anyone and everyone, no one is exempt. Many will turn to counselors or professionals, however many more will turn to addictive and harmful drugs. Some may work for a while, but have you ever read the warnings on the commercials? The fallouts can be far worse than the malady itself.
To be sure extended and extreme depression may cause suicide, weight loss, mental and or emotional instability, but are pills and potions the answer even if prescribed by your physician? Many who take prescription drugs neglect to inform their doctor of other medications whether prescribed or over-the-counter, which may very well cause harmful side effects, worse than the original malady! Is it worth it?
So what to do? 
The Bible has the answer for all of life's ailments. 
Because most depression is directly related to negative thinking 2 Corinthians 10:5 gives one factor in freeing ourselves from depression. Here negative thoughts may be referred to as imaginations [that is something that is not real] and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, (KJV).
Some versions may say vain or worthless imaginations. the point is that negative thoughts, if not checked and brought under control, will eventually lead to depression.
Its not enough to stop thinking negative of vain thoughts--they must be replaced with sound Godly thoughts else they will return twice and three times as deadly (bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ).
The second Rx for depression comes from Isaiah 61:5b the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. First of all we see that depression heaviness is a spirit, not a disease. A spirit cannot be seen, diagnosed, or palpated by a doctor, yet it is paralysing to the entire being, causing severe emotional, distress which leads to physical ailments, even suicide as the victim often feels useless and unworthy of love and lonely, as if no one cares about them.

Warning!!

When properly applied both 2Cor.19:5 and Isa.61:3 can become addictive, however without harmful the side effects of drugs!

Sin a Cause of Depression

A third Rx is found in Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” although this passage is primarily speaking of a person who is overtaken with sin [a fault is something worthy of judgment] sin will cause depression if not properly exposed and dealt with. A trusted brother or sister in Christ must be a confident and faithful prayer partner.
2John 5:16-17 “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. all unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.”
James 5:14-16 “Is there any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he shall have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults {worthy of judgment] one to another, that ye may be healed. The effectual and fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

These passages all admonish us to extend our hearts to one another in prayer and supplication, both hearing the confession and having compassion upon him. They also directly imply that sin is the root cause of the depression, for, as stated afore, sin can cause sickness and death, (see 1Corinthians 11: 26-32).

Faith Building Practice and Review

1.    What causes depression?

2.    What must the afflicted person do to obtain freedom from depression?

3.    What must we do if we see a brother sin a sin not unto death?

4.    What is the sin unto death?

5.    Why is it so important to read the labels on all drugs prescriptions and over the counter?

6.    Why is it so important to disclose all medications to your doctor?

7.    Why is it important to have a trusted friend of relative hear you?