Pharmakeia in the Mental Health Industry

Modern medicine has dramatically improved the quality of life for mankind in providing cures for infectious diseases that have plagued the world for thousands of years. Life expectancy has skyrocketed! A staggering number of hospitalized people are regularly saved from death and given another chance at life through the hard work of medical professionals. Nevertheless, the power of modern medicine is limited in scope. It can heal the body but not the soul! Only Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, can heal the souls of hurting sinners. 

“They that are whole need not a Physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” – Jesus Christ (Luke 5:31-32) 

Many of the problems that plague mankind are strictly spiritual in nature, and spiritual problems require spiritual solutions. However, the spiritual realm is totally ignored by the philosophies of modern science. Literally, the Word of God has no place in Medical School. Are you surprised? These are secular institutions that pride themselves in being unbiased and irreligious. Therefore, medical professionals are capable of diagnosing and healing physical problems, but their science is incapable of doing the same for spiritual problems. It is our responsibility to consult the Bible to discern the difference between these two problems (2 Chron. 16:12).

Doctors do their best to help people. However, despite their good intentions, they are not trained or qualified to diagnose and treat people in the area of Mental Health. Why? Sin has massive consequences when it comes to the mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of people, and mental health professionals will not dare to speak about sin. This is nothing new! Academics began rejecting the teachings of the Bible a long time ago. They shut God out of the conversation ever since the Enlightenment in the 1700’s. Historically, this is also called the Age of Reason because a revolutionary change of opinion took place in society through which people tried to diagnose and solve their own problems without regard for the teachings of Scripture. This is called rebellion in the Bible! It was then that Psychology was born. 

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”  - Prov. 26:12

“Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” - Isa 5:21

“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”  - Prov. 3:7

Psychology is the brainchild of the Enlightenment. It was all very primitive in the beginning. Learned men embarked upon a journey to study mankind to define what is right and wrong about them. The goal was to identify the problems and provide solutions. Eventually, they managed to present to mankind the character and personality of a person who is deemed to be mentally healthy. Any deviation from this is deemed to be mental illness. Another common term for mental illness is mental disorder. This philosophy then became a competing alternative to religion when therapists and counselors were trained and sent to every sector of society to spread the message. Naturally, sinners found psychological therapy to be a more comfortable path to becoming a “good person”. 

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” - Prov. 14:12

“There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” – Rom. 3:12

The primitive form of Psychology was then transformed into a sophisticated monster of influence due to advancements in modern technology which brought about the rise of Neuroscience. This only intensified the battle for truth in our generation! For, while the Word of God directs sinners to behold their need for the salvation of the soul in a spiritual new birth, many famous academics and intellectuals are causing everyone to admire the brain instead (Jn. 3:3).

Neuroscientists discovered chemical imbalances in the brain that are associated with human behavior and mental illness. Then they created a host of synthetic drugs to manipulate signaling in the brain to bring about behavior modifications. Hereby, Neuroscience armed Psychology with weapons making it much more dangerous to mankind. Psychologists are now using an arsenal of mind-altering drugs to bewitch the nations! Furthermore, the diagnosis and administration of drugs to patients is highly incentivized for the profit of filthy lucre. This is why prescription drugs in the USA are so expensive. Big Pharma has turned Mental Illness into a money-making enterprise.

Physicians are not immune to corruption. “For the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim. 6:10). Accountability for them is virtually nonexistent! Rogue doctors are able to give some bogus diagnosis without fearing any retribution. They are ruining the lives of countless sinners as people feel forced to take these drugs! Sadly, it isn’t likely that these people will ever get off these drugs either. They are fearmongered by their doctors to stay on the drugs! Can you believe it? The doctors do this by telling their patients about all the terrible things that have happened to people when they tried to get off the drugs. Nobody wants to be the next horror story in the record books of Psychiatry.

The class of drugs that alter the mind in this way are known as psychotropic drugs. Around 80 million hurting sinners in America are regularly consuming these drugs! Meanwhile, the global mental health market has grown to be worth 400 billion dollars; and the cost of these drugs alone brings in around 60 billion dollars annually. Conflicts of interest in the Medical System are never a good thing (1 Tim. 6:10, Matt. 6:24).

Are you depressed? They will give you antidepressants. Are you having difficulty sleeping? Do you struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia)? They will give you sleeping pills and tranquilizers. Are you so tired that you find yourself sleeping too much (somnolence)? They will give you antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Are you disinterested, distracted, and unable to focus (ADHD)? They will give you stimulants.

Are you experiencing PTSD from a traumatic experience? They will give you mood stabilizers. Do you suffer from anxiety? They will give you benzodiazepines. Do you experience fits of anger and sorrow in sudden changes of mood (bipolar)? They will give you antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. Are you tempted to commit suicide? They will give you antidepressants. Do you experience sudden and uncontrollable changes in your personality (schizophrenia)? They will give you antipsychotics.

You will have to pick up these prescription drugs from your local Pharmacy. Consume it regularly and your mind will be altered through a synthetic manmade solution to a sin problem. There is a biblical word that describes this medical practice: “Pharmakeia” (Gal. 5:20, Rev. 9:21, 18:23). Sound familiar? Essentially, the Doctors are telling you that your brain is the problem, and their drugs are the solution to mental and emotional behaviors that are categorically called sin in the Bible. There is a biblical word that describes these Doctors: “Pharmakeus” (Rev. 21:8). Sound familiar? Doing this will condemn your soul to hell. 

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, Pharmakeia (witchcraft), hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Gal. 5:19-21

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and Pharmakeus (sorcerers), and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” – Rev. 21:8

Did you read Galatians 5:19-21 and Revelation 21:8? This is a warning from God. The word, Pharmacy, is an English word that comes from the Latin word, Pharmacia, which was derived from the Greek word, Pharmakeia. Obviously, this means that people are committing the damning sin of Pharmakeia through a seemingly innocent trip to the Pharmacy! However, not all drugs at the Pharmacy fall into the biblical category of Pharmakeia. This is why the Greek word, Pharmakeia, was translated into “witchcraft” in Galatians 5:19-21. This is why the Greek word, Pharmakeus, was translated into “sorcerers” in Revelation 21:8.

Holy Scripture has employed this word to identify and forbid a very specific kind of drugs. Most of the drugs found at the Pharmacy do not fall into this category. Therefore, in general, there is nothing wrong with the preparation, administration, and use of drugs from a Pharmacy, unless in doing so people are committing the damning sin of Pharmakeia. The mind-altering drugs are the problem.

The mind, heart, & soul of mankind belongs to God. The mental, emotional, and moral functions of the heart and soul are sacred. This is what makes us different than the animals (Gen. 1:26-27). Mankind was endowed with the dignity of these functions by our Creator to enable us to find righteousness and life in a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:5-10). Satan has devised a plan to invade into this holy place! The dark force of mind-altering drugs is being used by the Devil to trespass into this sacred place where a redeeming God meets with sinful Man in the Temple of the human body (1 Cor. 6:19-20). An invasion into this sacred arena is a violation that usurps the role of a Savior and replaces the work of salvation.

Historically, the witches, wizards, and sorcerers of the occult are known to harness the power of mind-altering drugs in their spells, powders, herbs, and potions. If there was no power in the punch of these forbidden arts, then the people would be much less enchanted by them as they eat, drink, and inhale things at the hand of sorcerers. Getting sedated, stoned, or high is a fast way to make contact with the invisible world of demons! The unsuspecting public is now getting the same stuff from mainstream medicine at the Pharmacy without any warning signs of “hocus pocus”.

Even if no one is getting sedated, stoned, or high in the process, sorcery and witchcraft is still being done anytime people are being deceived to put their faith in something or someone to resolve a spiritual problem of sin and its consequences. Beware! Salvation is the only solution to sin. We are living in a new era of healthcare that is fraught with spiritual danger. Serpents are covertly hiding in the Garden of Medicine. 

Which Mental Illness Do You Have?

Is there something wrong with your brain? No. But your local Psychiatrist will tell you that you have a Mental Illness because you have brain problems in the area of neurochemicals and neurotransmission. Hopefully, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about how stress from your environment has contributed to this condition, but now that you have arrived at this point mentally – “where your brain is malfunctioning” – they are going to tell you that you need mind-altering drugs.

Do you need the drugs? No. The real source of the problem at hand is stress. Science proves it! If the stress of your environment is reduced, then the brain abnormalities will also be corrected. Most Doctors will not share the details of this matter because they have skin in the game. Nevertheless, divine providence has raised up at least one dissenting voice among the Doctors of Neuroscience, Dr. Preethi David Morris, and she is making this point exactly in a recent article. 

“Mental health professionals universally prescribe psychotropic drugs to patients which are diagnosed with mental illnesses such as depression, sleep disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and so on. This is based on the theory that mental illnesses are caused not only by environmental factors, but inherent neurochemical imbalance and dysfunction of neurotransmission within the brain. However, the latter remains unproven by modern day scientific research.

The stress of your environment should be evaluated in the light of Holy Scripture. Why? Sin causes stress! Stress is manifested in the presence of sorrow and fear and the absence of joy, peace, & comfort in your daily life. Accordingly, salvation relieves stress! Are you saved? The Bible has a lot to say about joy, peace, and comfort (Isa. 26:3, Rom. 14:17, Php. 4:7, 2 Tim. 1:7). Realistically, if stress is going to be reduced or removed from your life, the problem of sin is going to have to be addressed. Moreover, all the major questions of life need to be asked and answered with the truth of the Bible in full view.

Is something wrong with your mind? Yes. According to the Bible, the mind of sinners is spiritually dead and at enmity against God because of sin (Rom. 8:6-7). Literally, it is alienated from God and defiled by sin (Col. 1:21, Eph. 4:17-19, Titus 1:15). It is unsound in its motivations, emotions, and desires (Eph. 2:3). Only God can renew, restore, and make the mind sound in its moral function (Rom. 8:6, 2 Tim. 1:7, 1 Cor. 2:16, Php. 2:5, Heb. 8:10). The gift of the Holy Spirit will perform the needed transformation (Acts 2:38). 

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” - John 14:26-27

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” – Rom. 8:5-6

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” – Gal. 5:22-23

Is something wrong with your heart? Yes. According to the Bible, the heart of sinners is wicked to the core and desperate to commit sin (Jer. 17:9, Job 15:15-16, Matt. 13:15, Acts 28:27). Literally, every thought, desire, and imagination of the heart is only evil continually (Rom. 8:7, Gen. 6:5, Ps. 10:3, Eph. 4:18). Only God can make it clean and pure from sin (Ps. 51:10, 24:4, 1 Pet. 1:22, 2 Tim. 2:22). Salvation in Christ restores the moral function of the heart to make it righteous by nature (Heb. 8:10, Jer. 31:33).

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”  - Jesus Christ (John 3:3) 

If you don’t experience it for yourself, then you will never know what is on the other side. We are all born sinners! A radical change must take place. Not the betterment of your current life. A new life! Not the improvement of sinners. Morality will only mask the problem. Psychological programs of rehabilitation or reeducation will not work. 

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”  - John 3:7

A miraculous new birth will change your world! This is not something that we can do for God. This is something that God does for us (Eph. 2:8-10). We cannot save ourselves! We cannot change ourselves! Sin is a hereditary problem that has infected the entire human race. We inherited a sinful nature from Adam & Eve (Rom. 5:12-14). The whole family tree of mankind is fallen! A divine intervention must take place (2 Pet. 1:2-4). God, the Creator, is the only one who has the power to make all things become new.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  - 2 Cor. 5:17

The sin problem at conception can be remedied by the new creation. God can remake and reform those who have been “shapen in iniquity” (Ps. 51:5). The Potter has power over the clay (Jer. 18:1-6). Those who are born in sin can be reborn in righteousness! The generations of men can be regenerated (Titus 3:3-7). Hereby, the Children of the Devil become Children of God (1 Jn. 3:7-10). The miraculous difference will be felt “as soon as they be born” (Ps. 58:3, Rom. 5:21). Can you believe it? Believe in the Gospel. This is true freedom (Jn. 8:31-36)! Literally, the Gospel is good tidings to hurting sinners. 

“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – Isa. 53:4-5

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): “A mental disorder that is characterized by an overly active mind, impulsive decisions, and disinterested behavior where individuals experience difficulty focusing for sustained periods of time.” ​

Children in recent generations are notoriously distracted, undisciplined, and detached from reality. “ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopment disorders of childhood.” (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention). A staggering 129 million children and adolescents worldwide are on ADHD mind-altering medication! This is a tragedy. We are witnessing the disintegration of the nuclear family, and the children are suffering the most. 

“…a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” – Prov. 29:15 

Parents need to own their guilt in this matter. Generations of children have been practically orphaned in a culture of abandonment. The feminist movement has slandered and deglorified the role of biblical womanhood. Women have left the home and gone to work by the droves for decades! Consequentially, the children are left to themselves in daycare, with babysitters, at school, and other secular programs. Considering the signs of the times, this is a dangerous situation: anything is possible in schools that have eradicated the Bible from the curriculum. Remember, the schools in former generations freely distributed Bibles, and now they proudly distribute condoms. 

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” – Jer. 6:16

Society belittles the honorable vocation of “childbearing” (1 Tim. 2:15). Women find identity and worth in their careers rather than in marrying, bearing children, and guiding the house (1 Tim. 5:14). The peer pressure upon young ladies to do the same is overwhelming. Can you hear the voices of strange women loudly mocking at the thought of showing “piety at home” (1 Tim. 5:4)? Scoffers think that the teachings of the Bible are ancient, irrelevant, and outdated. 

“…teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” – Tit. 2:4-5

Parents, if you abandon your God-given responsibilities, then you will suffer the consequences. You will find that even when your family is at home, their hearts are somewhere else. In the evenings or on the weekends, even when everyone is together, your children are enslaved to the addictions of entertainment. Parents, what about you? Your children prefer the fantasy world of television, movies, videogames, and toys more than reality. The formative years of vulnerable children are spent in this vanity, and parents wonder why they have difficulty sustaining the attention of their children. 

“Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” – Prov. 4:25-27

Distracted, undisciplined, and hyperactive children pay a visit to a local Doctor and are immediately prescribed stimulants. They are told that the chemical problem will be solved by these mind-altering drugs. No lectures are given to the parents about how absorbing information as a primary form of entertainment makes the children feel that thinking productively and accomplishing tasks is unpleasant, unreasonable, and burdensome. Why? Follow the money. The drug business is booming with filthy lucre. Constructive criticism might offend the parents, and this is bad for business.

Most parents are not being role models for their children. Instead, the fictional characters of the entertainment business are their role models. Have you ever observed the behavior of these cartoon characters? It isn’t good. Don’t be surprised if your little ones emulate and copy their character traits. Hyperactivity and impulsivity in cartoon characters is something that attracts and sustains the attention of the children. 

“There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.” – Prov. 30:11 

The children then grow up and repay their parents in kind. When mom and dad grow old, instead of taking care of them, they put them up in Old Folks Homes and other available programs. The cycle of abandonment continues without repentance. Tragically, the adults of modern times are equally plagued by ADHD! A staggering 366 million adults worldwide have been diagnosed with ADHD and are regularly consuming mind-altering drugs. 

“Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.” – Eccl. 6:9

This is not a chemical problem! This is a sin problem. The city of the soul is broken down and without walls. Any fleeting lust can come and occupy the city. There is no rule over the spirit (Prov. 25:28). Sinners are distracted with the pleasure of wanderlust in cyberspace (1 Tim. 5:6). The hellish sin of covetousness burns with unquenchable fire (Prov. 27:20, Hab. 2:5, Rom. 3:16-17, Matt. 6:22-23)! Sinners are distracted and dissatisfied and feel no danger. 

“Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.” – James 5:5

The only remedy to a sin problem is salvation! Upon repenting and believing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and this will produce life and peace in your mind, heart, & soul. The wandering of human desire will then be at rest when the soul is anchored by divine love. 

“But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” – Isa. 57:20-21

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” – Rom. 8:6

“For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” – 2 Tim. 1:7

This is good news. The presence of God will change your presence of mind. There is power in the Gospel! Jesus Christ taking up residence in your heart will empower you by giving you the temperance, discipline, and self-control of a “sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). Sanity and soundness are not a problem for those who have “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16). 

Somnolence: “A mental disorder characterized by drowsiness, weariness, or excessive sleepiness.” ​

We are born sinners (Rom. 5:12-14). We live in a cursed world of hardship and difficulty. The thorns and thistles of life make sinners sorrowful and weighed down, but most people just try to ignore it (Gen. 3:17-19, Ps. 107:12). People try to stay positive and make the best of things! Meanwhile, God is trying to get everyone’s attention. Divine providence has caused this message to fall into your hands for a reason. You need God’s help! A divine finger is pointing at all the problems on earth so that you might seek heaven for answers. 

Sin is an inconvenient leech upon your life that you cannot ignore! Do you feel it? I’m speaking about all the “evil” (Eccl. 2:21), “grief” (Eccl. 1:18, 2:17, 23), “vexation” (Eccl. 1:14, 17, 2:17, 22, 26), “travail” (Eccl. 1:13, 2:23, 26), “sorrow” (Eccl. 1:18, 2:23), “despair” (Eccl. 2:20), dissatisfaction (Eccl. 1:8), and restlessness of sinners in a fallen world (Eccl. 2:23). How do you cope with it? Honestly, for most people, the daily grind isn’t making them feel alive, awake, alert, and energized. 

“All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.” – Eccl. 1:8

Many people feel that the daily workweek is a prison of meaningless repetition. They feel worn out and fatigued in both body and soul. They want to do something else! They want to be someone else! They feel trapped in their present circumstances and can’t foresee any way out for many years to come. 

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” - Ecclesiastes 1:2

“What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?” – Eccl. 1:3

“What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?” – Eccl. 3:9

Pleasure seekers and dreamers feel the vanity of life in the obligation to work. The grumbling of dissatisfied workers comes from deep within! The inaudible complaining is constant! The people feel that they can’t go anywhere or do anything that they want to do. Therefore, a dark cloud of melancholy hangs over the soul. The Bible teaches that melancholy and worldly sorrow can have an intoxicating effect of tiredness, weariness, and sleepiness (Lk. 22:45, Jonah 1:5-6). 

“And when He…was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” - Luke 22:45-46

People try to escape the confines of their own reality by television and movies. There is little thought about turning to God in prayer because nobody is telling them that they have a sin problem. Meanwhile, the thrill of fiction and fantasy allows for a semblance of freedom to live a different life. Living rooms are furnished with couches and recliners to indulge in the mad indifference of idle entertainment. Feeling no real purpose in life, or the power to do anything about it, people become slothful, sluggish, and lazy. 

“Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” – Prov. 19:15

“The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.” – Prov. 26:15-16

The sin of slothfulness brings the body under a spell of sleepiness. For one reason or another, it is common for people to come to hate life itself (often because of the hardships that accompany work), so when they get off work they resort to the same private getaway at home in the Living Room. 

“Therefore I hated life because the work…” – Eccl. 2:17

“Yea, I hated all my labour…” – Eccl. 2:18 

What is life? Mostly, it is a bunch of eating, sleeping, and going to work! When people get off work, they come home and sluggishly expire the evening in the Living Room. Some people call it rest and relaxation, but if they were honest, they would admit that they are tired and hurting on the inside. They mourn the fact that they have to wake up tomorrow and do the same thing all over again! Considering the circumstances, if the scenery in the Living Room is one that invites slothfulness, the people are probably going to come under a spell of sleepiness. Lost souls are void of real purpose and feel enslaved to the workweek; therefore, they are plagued with slothfulness, sluggishness, and sleepiness. 

“Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.” – Prov. 6:4

“How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:” – Prov. 6:9-10

Eventually, many people come to feel that they have nothing better to do than relax. They indulge in sleep!  They take a vacation! Modern enthusiasts tell them that they owe it to themselves. Nevertheless, one way or another, somehow, they begin to feel tired all the time. Tired and drowsy sinners pay a visit to the Doctor and are immediately prescribed antidepressants or benzodiazepines depending on the circumstances. They leave having come to believe that they have a chemical problem. Now these people will not let anyone tell them that they have a sin problem! This is how the souls of sinners sink deeper into the mire. People are coming under the power of mind-altering drugs for a lifetime of addiction! Meanwhile, those who are getting saved from sin are experiencing an awakening of heavenly power in a real encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. 

“Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee Light.” – Eph. 5:14

Reconciliation to God is a miraculous experience of spiritual regeneration. Everything is made new (2 Cor. 5:17)! Credit should be given to the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:1-7). The empty tomb is a good testimony. There is power in the Gospel! The power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead can get any sinner out of bed and on his feet - feeling good: alert, alive, focused, energized, sober, meditative, watchful, circumspect, & resolved (Ps. 57:8, 63:6). Can you relate? “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thess. 5:6). When your eyes are clear and your priorities are heavenly, then staying awake, energized, and alert isn’t a problem (Matt. 6:19-24, Ps. 132:3-5). Meanwhile, the souls of condemned sinners are haunted by a phantom ghost of sleepiness that seems inescapable (Isa. 29:10, Rom. 11:8). 

Insomnia: “A common sleep disorder which entails difficultly falling asleep or staying asleep.” ​

The quest for worldly happiness in the daytime leads to restless hours of trouble at nighttime (Job 20:4-8). The wages of sin is death! All the security of the First World cannot make the soul feel safe and sound for a good night of sleep. Silk sheets cannot soothe the soul! Good food doesn’t produce good sleep! Friendly company doesn’t bring about serenity! A good day isn’t necessarily welcomed with a good night. 

“And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.” - Isa. 8:22

Restless and weary sinners pay a visit to the Doctor and are immediately prescribed sleeping pills and tranquilizers. Around 61 million Americans are taking sleeping pills! They don’t want to encounter nightfall without them on hand. Some are disturbed at night by a noisy mind and racing thoughts. The constant chatter going on in their heads doesn’t stop! Only because fleshly ambitions and earthly goals are fueled by the hellish sin of covetousness (Prov. 27:20). Some people can’t sleep because they have been estranged from their lovers! Meanwhile, others lay awake in bed at night because they are stricken with a poisonous feeling of envy, jealousy, and hatred which then makes them devise mischievous plans to solve their problems on the morrow. 

“the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep” – Eccl. 5:12

“for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes” – Eccl. 8:16

“For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.” - Prov. 4:16
​
“Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.” – Micah 2:1

“But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” – Isa. 57:20-21

There is a resting place for sinners in the presence of God! Divine love conquers and quiets the souls of restless sinners (Matt. 11:28-30). This is how true Christians find peace to lay down and sleep without any regrets plaguing the conscience. There is a heavenly security to this serenity! There is a divine power in this peace! Needy souls are swaddled and carried by the omnipotent arms of an everlasting Father both now and forevermore. 

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep…” – Ps. 4:8

“…He giveth His beloved sleep.” – Ps. 127:2

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” - Prov. 3:24

“For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul. Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.” – Jer. 31:25-26

What about you? It is time for you to taste and see that the LORD is good. Indeed, sin will not suffer sinners to sleep! However, a real encounter with Jesus Christ will clear the skies and silence the storm. No matter how bad you feel! Remember, salvation is the miracle of miracles. A good night of sleep is one of the many benefits of this divine work upon the human soul. 

Depression: “A serious mood disorder involving a loss of interest and pleasure.”

​All the bells and whistles of modern society aren’t enough to remove the plague of depression that is smothering millions. A staggering 49,449 people in America died by suicide in 2022! Generations of kids have been reared in a culture of entertainment and have never been more depressed. The experts will tell you, “Depression is the most prevalent mental health disorder.” (American Association of Suicidology). This kind of sorrow is a spiritual poison that is produced by sin. 

“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked…” – Ps. 32:10

“God distributeth sorrows in His anger.” – Job 21:17

“Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.” - Job 17:7

“For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.” - Psalm 38:17

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”  - 1 Tim. 6:10

Depressed sinners pay a visit to a local Doctor and are immediately prescribed antidepression medication. They leave with empty promises that everything is going to get better as they begin consuming mind-altering drugs (Jer. 6:14). Meanwhile, these people don’t feel right about taking the weird medication! This compels them to suddenly get off the drugs repeatedly in a battle for sanity. It is then that the dark nights of hopeless despair grow blacker and longer (1 Sam. 16:14-15). Time itself seems to torment the heartsick people! Why? They feel trapped in an unending cycle of misery. Therefore, sadly, these same people often end up killing themselves hoping to find relief from the suffocating presence of sorrow. One person dies by suicide every 40 seconds! According to the World Health Organization, a staggering 700,000 people worldwide die by suicide every year! 

“Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.”  - Eccl. 2:17

“For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.”  - Eccl. 2:23

“…the sorrow of the world worketh death.”  - 2 Cor. 7:10

Salvation from sin is the only solution to the problem! Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can heal the pain of badly hurting sinners. Only the free grace of God can transform the minds, hearts, and souls of sinners (2 Cor. 4:6, 5:17). “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” (Matt. 4:16). Immediately, when the face of Jesus Christ begins to shine upon lost souls, sinners are brought out of the dungeon of despair and into the glorious presence of God! A strong chorus of happy saints has borne witness of this heavenly experience for generations. 

“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” – Isa. 35:10

“Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back.” – Isa. 38:17

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.” - Psalm 28:7 (Ps. 19:8, 119:111)

“Thou hast put gladness in my heart...” – Ps. 4:7, 16:9

“…in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” – Ps. 16:11 (Jn. 17:13)

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” – 1 Pet. 1:8

The salvation of the soul will put an end to all the loneliness. The Face of God will illuminate the darkness. When those who are separated from God are finally reconciled to God, they will then experience the peace and rest that heaven is offering to weary souls who are burdened by sin. This can be your testimony if you repent and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

​Revival For the Depressed 

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." - Isaiah 61:3

The Church on your street corner will tell you that the Book of Job is a philosophical masterpiece on why or how a good God allows so much human suffering to take place in the world. Sitting in the galleries, the Christian Academics of today would have you bow in reverence to such a thesis as this for the Book of Job. Nevertheless, something about it just doesn’t heal the hurt of sad and gloomy Christians (Jer. 6:14, 8:11). What amuses insensitive Scholars in seminaries then abuses suffering sinners who resort to Job for hope and comfort.

"They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." - Jer. 6:14

"​For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." - Jer. 8:11

Job is popular today, and referenced often by peace preachers, because it seems that people have never been more depressed than in modern times. Of course, they misinterpret Job! So, his story becomes nothing more than a dimly lit candle in the dungeon of despair to help the mourners cope with their misery. No cure is offered through an incorrect interpretation (2 Cor. 1:24). No freedom is granted through false peace. Job needed to repent! “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16). Why else do you think Elihu and Jehovah so sorely rebuked Job in the end of the Book in Job 32-42. Likewise, may a correct interpretation of Job’s misery serve as a wakeup call to the tens of thousands of depressed and impenitent Christians of the modern era, even as they delight to trace their misery in Job’s experience to tell themselves that everything is going to be okay.

Depressed souls like these become sadder at the sound of preaching on repentance. They cannot suffer anyone to tell them about the faithfulness of God – how the LORD would certainly lift their spirits if only they would denounce and totally divorce their secret affection for iniquity. They don’t want anyone to tell them that their sadness is sin! For the record, the bible calls it worldly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10-11).

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." - 2 Cor. 7:10

Coincidentally, modern readers also believe Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar to be the antagonists of the situation simply because they had a heavy burden for Job and were persuaded that he was in sin. They totally disregard the fact that Job was in total agreement with the doctrine and practice of his friends, even echoing them, and at times excelling them, which shows that these were universally recognized truths among all the saints of the Early Church, namely because they were all learning from the same sources of aged counselors and teachers.
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Sadly, the most noble morals of ancient generations are totally disregarded by future generations. The most noble doctrines of former times are totally denounced in latter times. Even so, today, Christians are prone to grossly oversimplify the discourse between Job and his friends because they are totally ignorant of the Early Church in Genesis 1-11.