Just google the word depression and finding hundreds of millions of results shows the significance of this disorder. If you are serious about being free or learning about how to battle depression, then you need to understand and believe what it is and what is needed to defeat it. I have battled against depression and its associate – suicide – for decades without medicine. Now, before some of you say perhaps you should try drugs – it is for some; but perhaps the 99.9% who would make this suggestion without two or three hundred hours of research should first discover Truth and be willing to explore the spiritual battle.
This article offers the following sections: Definition of Terms; What are we? What are we battling against?; Worship; Prayer; and the Word of God. Of course already many of you are now being turned off – but by what – and how many of you will run to same failing treatments and temporal anchors?
Definition of Terms:
Depression: “Major depressive disorder or clinical depression is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating or working… (National Institute of Mental Health).”
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
Depression: “(major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home… depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%)… and one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some tie in their life…”
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
Really – 16.6% – and these guys represent the American Psychiatric Association? About 100% of human beings that reach adulthood had experienced some form of depression.
Antidepressant SSRI Medication: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were predominantly launched in the 1980s. They seek to manipulate neurotransmitters in the brain. EVERY manufacturer that distributed millions of antidepressants to tens of thousands of people has been sued for billions of dollars due to suicides and serious side effects. Many antidepressants were the byproduct of failed weight loss drug trials that sought another used for mind alternating mix. (Yes; many people NEED drugs; but ALL of us need the TRUTH).
Clinical: relating to observation and treatment of actual patients.
Disorder: disruption to the order of regular or normal functions of the mind/body/spirit/soul. The disruption of a systematic function or problem or illness that affects one’s mind or body.
Medical: relating to the science of medicine or the treatment of illness and injuries.
Mind: “the element or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills and especially reasons… the organized conscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity of an organism”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mind
Modern dictionaries often avoid the spiritual – sad that this one does, considering how spiritual Webster was and the original definition.
Mind: “…noun [Latin reminiscor; Latin mens; Gr. memory, mention, to remember… a reaching or inclining forward to an object, from the primary sense of extending, stretching or inclining, or advancing eagerly, pushing or setting forward, whence the Greek sense of the word, in analogy with the Teutonic mod, moed, muth, mind courage, SPIRIT, mettle… inclination; WILL… the intellectual or intelligent POWER in man; the UNDERSTANDING; the power that CONCEIVES, judges or reasons… the heart or seat of affection…”
http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/mind
(1828 version comes with related Scripture verses)
Mood: a temporary state of mind. [Thus, depression ➟ (seeks to attack) disorders the mind]
Science: intellectual… state of knowing; from the Latin ‘scientia;’ from the ancient Greek ‘episteme’ which means ‘knowledge.’
(Thus, clinical and medical are related to common truth, knowledge and observations)
Understanding: the ability to understand… comprehension… insight or good judgment. “And he said to the human race, ‘the fear of the Lord – that is wisdom; and to shun evil is understanding’ (Job 28 28).”
What are we Human Beings?
Á = B + M + S
{Key: Á – human (ha’Adam); B – body; M – mind (spirit); S – soul}
Apostle Paul said 2,000 years ago: “May God sanctify you completely; may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ… (1 Thes. 5:23).”
Human (people, mortal, person of the human race) + Beings (existence; the essence of a person); as Webster wrote in 1828 and was quoted from the apostle Paul: “God is the author of our being. In God we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28)…” “Spirit… a mortal man… an animal; any living creature…”
Paul continued, we mortals “have this treasure in earthen vessels (jars of clay), to show that the power is from God and not from us (2 Cor. 4:7).” The treasure is the Spirit of God of course.
But “what is man… (Psalm 8:4)?” Over 3,000 years ago the Scriptures said, “the length our days shall be 70 years; or 80 if by reason of strength; then they are soon gone and we fly away (Psalm 90:10).” But even “after my skin has been destroyed; in my flesh I will see God (Job 19:26).” “It is appointed once for man to die; then the Judgment (Heb. 9:27).” “Then, the perishable shall have put on the imperishable, and the mortal, shall have immortality… (1 Cor. 15:54).”
It would be good for all to understand these elementary things (Heb. 6:1); but here they are beyond the scope of this article. Yet, understand that a human is more than flesh and bones with a beating heart muscle pumping oxygen-rich life-blood (Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:11) to fight infections and feed miraculous cells such as skin, muscle and neurotransmitters. Animals have such life; but not the essence of man – the ability to reason and understand; possessing a conscience, and with a free will to act.
You, like I, may have seen the last breathe leave a body; but none of us has seen the spirit or soul in man. However, it is this level that we must now examine. The physician and Apostle Luke said, “you shall love the Lord our God with all your heart… soul… mind and …strength (Luke 10:27).” Of course, Moses said this first as instructed by the Almighty (Deut. 10:12); but emphasis is added by saying this is our all – flesh, spirit, soul – the heart in this context is only a limited single word to communicate and speak of the whole essence and being.
For more on what is man – heart, soul and spirit
SOURCES of INFLUENCE: Part IV
We have a free will and choice to seek God and His Spirit and receiving His Spirit we will ‘bear fruit;’ but ‘every branch (one) …that bears no fruit He cuts off… no branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the Vine. No one can bear fruit unless they remain in Christ Jesus (John 15).’ “You are ‘servants (slaves) to the one you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness (Rom. 6:16)… If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God… joint-heirs with Christ… and the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God… (Romans 8).”
Yes, yes – it’s religious stuff. It spiritual – but so is most Depression – it is Mood alternating – thus, Mind alternating; thus, spiritual alternating – thus, a matter of a spiritual battle!
Mood = temporary state of Mind ➟ including the current status quo of the spirit
What is this Depression we are battling against?
As stated in our article DEPRESSION: Disease, Disorder, Choice and or spirit the CDC states, ‘Depression is a serious medical illness… with worldwide costs… $210 billion in 2010…” The UN WHO stated in 2017 that more than 300 million people suffer from depression. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide… disease… over 800,000 people die due to suicide every year…”
http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
The National Alliance on Mental Illness speaks of its symptoms – change or lack of sleep, appetite, energy… interest… etc.
https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Images/FactSheets/Depression-FS.pdf
Our article addresses the debate of whether we have choices in our dealing with depression; and it examines whether depression is an illness, spirit or disease. In the sense that diseases impair the normal function of the body – it does so – it causes ‘dis – ease.’ Can it be caused by injury or genetics – of course; many illnesses can and are.
But let’s get to the real question – the heart and essence of the matter. IS DEPRESSION A SPIRIT? Yes, in truth – of course it is. I could give dozens of biblical examples, Saul tormented by ‘an evil spirit (1 Sam. 18:10)’ and turning to Endor – a witch which a ‘familiar spirit’ that could conjure up the soul/spirit of the dead (1 Sam. 28:7); or King David and the ‘lying spirit (I Kings 22:22).’ Yet, most will not be convinced.
Oh you with harden hearts – your blindness kills you. Don’t you know that ‘anger’ is an ‘emotion’ – ‘e MOTION’ ➩ essence (e) Mood altering (in motion)? One is ‘moved’ to ‘anger’ by an initial ‘FORCE (spirit);’ whether that of another human (spirit) or of the spirit of the world or of a demon or dark spirit. Thus, it is written, ‘in your anger do not sin… do not give the devil a foothold… do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… (forgiveness, etc)… (Eph. 4:26-).”
But because most humans do not understand righteousness (holiness) or truly believe in God or the Day of Redemption and Judgment of all mankind – good and evil (Eccl. 12:14; Rev. 20:12), then they cannot overcome this spirit. The victors ‘overcome by the blood of the Lamb… (Rev. 12:11).” Yes, spirits, God and Jesus – cannot QUICK FIX a spirit with a pill or a 1000 of them.
Paul told Timothy, ‘God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).’ Thus, to the Galatians he says, “the fruit (produce/product) of the Spirit (of God) is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal. 5:22).” But the spirits of ‘evil one’ ‘that comes to kill and destroy (John 10:10),’ are the acts of the sinful nature and flesh (moved by spirits – our essence moved – emotion) are obvious: sexual immorality, adultery, fornication, hatred, enraged anger, jealousy… (Gal. 5:19-20).”
And so Jesus Christ instructed us, PRAY [YHVH (Yahweh) Elohim; Adonai Eloheinu (Lord our God – Deut. 6:4)] ‘Father in Heaven, LEAD us (mortal humans) not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (Matthew 6:13)” – or from evil – which comes from ‘deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4:1).’
And so the Apostle James said, “Let no one say ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for it is not in the Way of God to tempt… but EVERY HUMAN is tempted by EVIL when they are carried away and ENTICED by their own fleshly nature to lust (1 John 2:15; Luke 8:14). Then when LUST (free will desire for something; here for what is not right – lust of the eyes and flesh) has conceived, it gives birth to SIN; and when sin has its way and is accomplished, it brings forth death (James 1:13-15).” Thus, from the beginning and to Cain the Lord said, “If you do what is right (right-eous; holy) will you not be accepted (to life by God)? But if you do not what is right (choose to willfully sin – Hebrews 10:26), then Sin is crouching at your (soul’s) door; and it desires to destroy you; but you must RULE (Self-control) over it (Gen. 4:7).” The Most Important Parable in the Bible
Isaiah said, the “Spirit of the Lord” is the Spirit of Wisdom and the Spirit of Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and of Might, and Knowledge and Fear of the Lord (Eccl1213; Deut 10:12)… (Isaiah 11:2).” And John in Revelation speaks of the Seven Spirit of GOD (Rev. 5:6) – for ‘God is Spirit (John 4:24)” and we are ‘created in His image (Gen. 1:27)’ and so was that which we fight against.
IF DEPRESSION was not a spirit, scientists and psychologists could win the battle against it. But see how many must CONTINUE on Medicines and VISITS to seek ‘control’ or management over anxiety and depression and unhappiness, etc. Multitudes on antidepressants and still millions of divorces and suicides happen because humans don’t understand or care about what they battle and or cannot overcome it.
Most worldly psychologists (psyche – soul/spirit; logy – study of) deny the holistic nature of their own craft; and some turn to pharmacology (the study of pharma – pharmakeia – drug, poison, spell, sorcery). Thus, some in their profession (that once called homosexuality a disorder for centuries – then welcomed it as natural love) have moved from Lobotomies (cutting away at the nerves in the brain) and electro-shock ‘therapy’ – past most failing SSRIs and mind/neuro changing/altering drugs to suggest LSD to ‘CURE DEPRESSION’ in severe cases.
https://www.newsweek.com/lsd-psychedelic-drugs-depression-anxiety-975402
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(18)30755-1
They DO NOT know or want to know or admit that it is a spiritual battle.
For more on types of spirit Sources of Influence: Part II
Neither do most understand how we are influenced; but that will take hours to explain – briefly a formula is below and the link.
Is (Source of Influence) LONG FORMULA
Is = [Nt(B) {G(Ch – Cd)} + (Ex + Ed + Env){Ms3}] (HSga^ps3%) +/- (Swga* + Dt# +/-p)
KEY: Source of Influence (Is); Nt = Neurotransmitters; B = Body (our complete physical DNA, flesh and bones makeup); G = Genetics (inherited chromosomes; genes); Ch = Cell health (normal functioning: proteins – amino acids; systems; Gene regulation, Mitochondria, DNA, RNA, etc.); Cd = Cell damage (any significant damaged system); E3 = Experiences (knowledge, wisdom, perceptions, traditions, emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, social, religious, etc.), Education (learned and acquired: knowledge, understanding, skills, truths, beliefs, perceptions, methods of reasoning, use of senses, etc.), and Environment (surroundings, conditions, ecological, social, political, spiritual, immediate, local, national, global); M = Mind (our brain, spirit and soul), Ms3 = Sum of the current status of the Mind, soul, spirit; HS = Holy Spirit, HSga^ = the general attributes and working of the Holy Spirit; ^ = denotes the various and many individual fruits or types of the Spirit; ps3% = personal percentage of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; Sw = spirit of the world, Swga* = the general nature and workings of the spirit of the world, * = denotes the various and myriad of types of temptations, trespasses, sins; Dt = the Demonic or evil spirits (demons) specific tempting, doctrines and works, # = numerous types of spirits; p = demonic possession (whether: yes or no; + or positive evidence of demon possession is an extremely rare case)
Though the formula is algebraic in form, the (multiplier) should be used as ‘affecting.’
The Three Treatments
The World needs professional medical workers and drugs and a trillion other things – and yes, what the world needs is love (the best treatment – love for God, neighbor and self); but this article offers Three EFFECTIVE treatments to MOOD/MIND/SPIRIT altering spirits (depression, anxiety, fear, etc.).
(1) Worship
After the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, the first king of Israel; then he was systematically ‘tormented by an evil spirit’ and he asked David to ‘play on the harp’ – worshiped in psalms, etc. (1 Sam. 16:15-16) and WHEN DAVID WORSHIPED GOD, ‘Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him (1 Sam. 16:23).’
And though many battles with a spirit or spirits are long and some won only by pray and even fasting (not eating for a time) – (Matthew 17:21); I have found that MOST of the TIME (relate to life and living – being) after worshiping my Creator and Lord, I am ‘refreshed,’ ‘renewed,’ and ‘filled’ by a difficult and more powerful Spirit – of wisdom and hope and clarity and pureness; then even love and peace.
![image003[1].gif](https://thetruthsource.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/image0031.gif?w=616)
Come into ‘His gates/courts’ – that is, search and enter the presence of God – with praise and thanksgiving’ and with the offering/sacrifice of praise; then He will receive you and answer.
On the altar of burnt offering, Christ Jesus the Holy Lamb of God laid down His life from all humans (John 3:16), and rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven, where He intercedes for us and His Spirit asks us to be righteous.
He asks us to wash ourselves clean of sin and evil; thus the bronze laver.
Then, eat freely from the Bread of Life – the Word of God – the Holy Scriptures.
And receive from the Spirit of GOD – the Seven Spirits represented by the Menorah (lamp). Of course from the One GOD – who is Spirit – comes a myriad of attributes to meet all needs.
Then, we can offer WORSHIP and prayer to GOD on the altar of Incense; that our thanksgiving and humble offering of worship – bowing and singing, with in the ‘spirit and understanding (1Cor. 14:15);’ with a known language and or unknown groanings (Rom. 8:26) and emotions – mood/mind/spirit – altering from the previous status quo to a purer state.
Then, we can cry out to God into the Heavens (Holy of Holies) and He will hear us.
In public or private – forsaking not the assembly or the closet – choose for yourself; but Worship works if honest and if is required by us mortals to ‘Him who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb (Rev. 5:13);’ for “God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24).”
For more on worshipers or great modern worship songs; see links below.
The FAITHFUL WORSHIPER of GOD
Best New Christian Worship Songs
(2) Prayer
True Prayer is a solemn and sincere communication with God – with words or inner groaning or from our innermost soul (heart). Successful prayer often has to do with our sincerity, righteousness (not in willful sin), request, faith and at times endurance. As to depression; the Lord God does not want anyone to be oppressed.
“Ask and you shall receive… (Matt. 7:7);’ ‘yet when you ask and do not receive; it is because you ask with wrong motives or for your pleases (James 4:3)’. The Lord hears the prayers of sincere repentance and cries for salvation; and He knows the needs of all. And it is written, “God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God, and does His will, He listens to them (John 9:31).”
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective… Elijah was a human being like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for 3 ½ years (James 5:16-17).” Now “your Father in Heaven causes His sun to rise on the evil and good in the world; and sends rain to all – the righteous and unrighteous (Matt. 5:45).” However, sometimes the battle is so difficult it requires much FAITH. And sometimes the spirit of depression will only leave or “come out except by prayer and fasting (Matt. 17:21).
There are spirits and demons if you can handle that term, that torment from the outside and through worldly forces and suggestions; and there is the spirit of the world – that is in philosophy and teachings – and thus in media and entertainment that affect mankind; and also there are spirits that seek and do enter the body of a few and gain much or even very rarely total control – through possession.
For the abnormal and rare cases of very severe depression – some form of intervention will in nearly every case be required. Most often, medical professionals; but spiritual warriors should be sought out – who are holy worshippers of God – pure from the world for a period of time – to fast and pray and be filled with the Spirit of God to pray for deliverance, healing, salvation, and whatever aid is needed. This is most difficult and requires much sacrifice.
I have only three times that I can remember been directly involved in casting out spirits or demons; and only several times in 30 years hands on involved in miraculous healings – through our hands and faith in the Healer – the only Source of all that we need – our Salvation, Jesus Christ and our Father God – the Lord Almighty.
(3) The Word – more difficult technique
The Word is more difficult because it involves discipline, knowledge and faith. But yet, ‘faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).’ And knowledge can be learned and is also from the Word and Spirit of God (Isa. 11:2; 2 Peter 3:18). Then, through the Holy Scriptures (most call the Old and New Testaments – the Bible) come renewal and wisdom and strength.
“Be not conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2).” “Be renewed in the SPIRIT of your MIND/SPIRIT (Eph. 4:23).” “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal and fleshly, but mighty through God to pull down spiritual strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4).” “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and warning one another in the vernacular (in your language) and with songs in your language and with spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Col. 3:16).”
“Sanctify… with the truth; the Word of the Lord is truth (John 17:17).” Moreover, it is written, “man (humans) shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4).” “Blessed are those who hear and believe the word of God (Luke 11:28).”
“In the ancient days the God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets; but in these last days He has spoken to us by Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Heb. 1:1-2).” And Christ sent His disciples and apostles and from all these we have the TANAKH (Old Testament) and the New Testament (Jesus and the Apostles) which we call the Bible.
Lord ‘the time has come that people do not endure sound teaching (2 Tim. 4:3); but Lord “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (willfully and continually – Heb. 10:26)… your word is a light to my path (Psalm 118:11; 119:105).” Help me to hold fast to the Word, that I am not ashamed at the Last Day.
“The word of the Lord is sharp like a two-edge sword (Heb. 4:12); it is like fire… like a hammer that breaks the hard rock in pieces (Jeremiah 23:29).” “Christ loves the Church and gave Himself up for her, to make her holy (righteous), cleaning her by the washing with the water through the word (Eph. 5:25-27).” “By the gospel (good news – of Jesus Christ) you are saved; if you hold firmly to the word… (1 Cor. 15:2).”
It is by the word that I discovered ‘the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13).”
Conclusion
Man is a ‘BEING’ with a ‘Spirit’ and ‘Soul’ inside a physical body. The soul (sometimes called heart) and spirit (mind) have a Free will and the ability to reason; and thus are accountable to the Creator and also in need of His Spirit and His instructions (Word). Only through worship, prayer and the word of God will you truly get free of the spirit of depression. And – Oh yes it comes back – and often. However, as I write with worship in the background (most by very talented musicians that use the word in their songs and worship in spirit and truth) I am not bothered but rather receive peace and wisdom. May the Lord bless and keep you.
The TRUTH SOURCE 