Mental health and belief

1. Is the Christian faith detrimental?

EVERYONE HAS FAITH. When the subject of this article is mental health and faith, it is worth first stating that faith is not limited only to the Christian belief in God, but that everyone has faith. For example, atheist scientists believe in the creation of the universe by itself, the creation of the earth by itself, and the creation of life by itself, even though they cannot prove these things. So it is blind faith and trust in things for which there is no evidence. In addition, each of us has faith, which manifests itself in everyday life situations like the following:

• We believe in advertisements that tell about the reduced prices of products.

• The girl believes, that is, trusts her mother's word that she will get a new dress.

• We believe that the weather forecasts are quite accurate.

• We believe that such a place as the South Pole exists, even though we have never been there.

So how does the Christian faith differ from naturalism, atheism and other beliefs? In this matter, it is worth paying attention to the following points. They include the main features of the Christian faith:

• Belief in the existence of God

• Faith in God's creation work

• Belief in life after death

• Believe that Jesus, the son of God, has prepared a way for everyone to connect with God. By believing in him we can inherit eternal life. It appears in numerous verses of the Bible:

- (Acts 16:30,31) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.

- (John 3:16,17) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

- (John 8:23,24) And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.

- (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

IS THE CHRISTIAN FAITH DETRIMENTAL? As stated above, atheists and non-religious people often have a distorted understanding of faith in God. They consider faith to be harmful and think that it takes the meaning out of life. This was evident in the previously mentioned atheist bus campaign, where the text "God probably does not exist" was written on the sides of the buses. So stop worrying and enjoy life!” The text does not say what kind of God it is, but it implies that atheism and disbelief in God is the bringer of joy that banishes life's worries. One can of course ask whether even atheists themselves have stopped worrying because they don't believe in the existence of God. They probably struggle with the same things as everyone else. We cannot completely avoid sorrows and worries during this life.

    Is the Christian faith then harmful? Those who reject God and Jesus Christ certainly think so, but have they thought about it very deeply? In this topic, you should pay attention to e.g. to the following points:

• Countries where the Christian faith has been present. Those countries whose history is based on the Christian faith have repeatedly been at the top in welfare and happiness measurements. Such countries are e.g. Nordic countries, USA, Canada, Great Britain and Switzerland. They are also the countries where people prefer to immigrate. This connection to the Christian faith cannot be considered a mere coincidence. The Christian faith has had a positive effect on societies and people's well-being.

• Research also points to the usefulness of the Christian faith. Those who reject God and the Christian faith have not paid attention to numerous studies, the topic of which has been the effect of the Christian faith on mental health. Much research has been done in this area. One of the most important of these is the book Is Faith Delusional by Professor Andrew Sims, former President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (1). Sims has been researching the issue for several years and has come to the following conclusion:

The beneficial effects of religious faith and spirituality on mental health and physical well-being are one of the most closely guarded secrets of psychiatry and medicine in general. If the results of the massive amount of research done on this topic had pointed in the opposite direction and found that religion harms mental health, it would have been front page news in every newspaper in the country.

As one piece of evidence, Sims uses a large meta-analysis in the American Journal of Public Health, compiled from several related studies:

In most studies, religious participation correlates with well-being, happiness and joy in life, hope and optimism, meaning and content in life, better self-esteem, better adaptation to major losses, greater social support and less loneliness, lower suicide rates and less favorable attitudes towards suicide, less anxiety, fewer psychoses and fewer with psychotic tendencies, lower rates of alcohol and drug use and abuse, less criminal activity, greater marital stability and satisfaction - -. We concluded that for the vast majority of people, the obvious benefits of devout religious faith and religious practice are likely to outweigh the risks. (2)

Nicholas Beale and John Polkinghorne have studied the same phenomenon from the perspective of evolutionary view. In their opinion, the results support the benefits of having Christian faith:

The claim that religious belief is harmful from an evolutionary perspective is simply not true. Whether (for example) the tenets of Christianity are true or not, we have overwhelming evidence that Christians have more children on average than atheists (surviving fertile grandchildren is the real touchstone, but I have absolutely no data on this). They also live longer, are healthier and so on. The fact that there are individual counterexamples to this is irrelevant; evolution works in populations, not individuals. Such practical effects of practicing the Christian faith are, at best, a weak proof of the authenticity of Christianity. But it is dishonest for evolutionary biologists to claim the Christian faith is harmful unless they make it absolutely clear that they mean to say: the Christian faith is beneficial from an evolutionary point of view, but I find it harmful for other reasons. (3)

In his book Living Water, Brother Yun, known for revival in China, gives a practical example of the positive impact of the Christian faith on people's lives. It is a question of physical illness and mental health problems. Jesus can touch both areas of life, both body and mind.

I have witnessed the sudden healing of numerous people from diseases, including cancer and leprosy. When the power of God had descended on one occasion, about a dozen patients were brought in from a nearby mental hospital. They were all completely healed after coming into contact with Jesus Christ. Their sanity returned and they were soon released from the hospital.

What is the teaching of Jesus and the apostles? When it is claimed that the Christian faith is harmful, the problem is often that one does not know how to distinguish what it contains and what it does not contain. A frequent mistake of many unbelievers, deniers and unprofessional journalists is that they confuse the errors of apostate-Christianity with the teachings of Jesus. They do not know the history of the first century and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. They do not understand that violence and wrongs towards others show that it is not about true followers of Christ as the following verses show. A person can indeed fall in many areas, but deliberate and continuous wrongdoing shows that it cannot be a question of being a follower of Jesus:

- (Matt 7:16-23) You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Why by their fruits you shall know them.

21 Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

- (Acts 17:30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:

- (1 Cor 6:9) Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived…

- (Tit 1:16) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate.

Other verses also talk about loving your neighbor. It was not emphasized only by Jesus, but by the disciples also:

Jesus: (Matt 22:35-40) Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

- (Matt 26:52) Then said Jesus to him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Apostle Paul: (Room 12:14,17-21) Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord.

20 Therefore if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Apostle Peter: (1 Peter 3:9,17) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.

17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

Apostle John: (1 John 4:18-21) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.

James: (James 2:8,9) If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well:

9 But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

What about religious abuse or controlling others? Here both Jesus and the apostles share a unified teaching. True leadership is following Christ, which does not involve subjugating or manipulating other people. Of course, there are no perfect leaders and we should respect them, but the right model can be found e.g. of the following verses. Of course, Jesus' own life on earth is also a good model:

- (Luke 22:25-27) And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority on them are called benefactors.

26 But you shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that does serve.

27 For whether is greater, he that sits at meat, or he that serves?  is not he that sits at meat? but I am among you as he that serves.

- (2 Cor 1:23,24) Moreover I call God for a record on my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet to Corinth.

24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand.

- (1 Cor 3:5-8) Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase.

8 Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

- (1 Peter 5:1-3) The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

- (1 Tim 4:12) Let no man despise your youth; but be you an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

- (Phil 3:17,18) Brothers, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an ensample.

18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ

What about greediness, which can often be seen in the media? There is plenty of teaching about this through Jesus and the apostles. It is true that some Christians may fall into greed for money, but in doing so they do not follow the clear teaching of the Bible on this subject. For instance, Paul wrote that the shepherd of the congregation should not be greedy. Similarly, there are other verses talking about the same issue:

- (1 Tim 3:1-3) This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous

- (Luke 16:11-14) If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

- (Luke 12:15) And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

CHRISTIAN FAITH IS POSITIVE. As stated, atheists often see the Christian faith in a negative light. They see it as harmful to mental health and think it takes the joy out of life. This belief was also evidenced by their bus campaign.

    But how is it? These persons may not have understood at all what the Christian faith is all about. For the Christian faith should have a positive effect on mental health and life if it is understood correctly. It is due to e.g. for the following reasons:

• Experiencing God's love. The first reason is that God is love, and when we understand that, it certainly has a positive effect on our lives and our mental health. Most psychological problems are caused by a lack of love at some point in life, but when a person receives love from both God and people, he begins to become whole. He is able to accept himself and more and more also other people. Among other things, the well-known psychiatrist Karl Meninger has stated in relation to the topic that people are in psychiatric hospitals mainly for two reasons: They have not experienced love or have not been able to love. God's love is a help for both problems:

- (1 John 4:8-10) He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

- (Rom 5:8) But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

A small quote continues on the same topic. It shows that when a person, e.g. an alcoholic or a drug addict, encounters God's love, it helps them gain a new identity and increases control over their own life. Drug addiction or alcoholism are long-term enslaving yokes. They take the joy out of life. However, God's love and experiencing it is a help for these types of problems:

Sometimes the effect of conversion is so vast that it is like giving a person a new identity. Jorma Niemelä describes how an alcoholic's self-image is built on the one hand from thoughts of greatness caused by the alcohol, on the other hand from such characteristics as unemployed, divorced, unsuccessful, living on the fringes of society. With conversion to faith, such an identity is replaced by an ordinary person who is nevertheless loved and accepted by God. Salvation is not only salvation of the soul, as there will be visible changes in everyday life.  Surrendering one's life to God means a radical increase in control over one's own life, measured by consequences. (4)

• Jesus is the good shepherd. Another important reason why Christian faith should have a positive effect on mental health is faith in Jesus, the Son of God, i.e. the sinless and good Savior. He said that he is the good shepherd and when we turn to him, we can partake of God's good promises. One of them is e.g. that he promised to give rest to our souls:

- (John 10:10,11) The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

- (Matt 11:28-30) Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

- (John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

• Love for one's neighbors and living in it is the third reason why the Christian faith should have a positive effect on mental health. When you read the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, they show repeatedly, not only God's love for people, but that everyone should love their neighbor. This is good advice, not only from the point of view of those closest to you, but from the point of view of the person himself. For what man is happy if he hates his neighbor or bears a grudge? Surely no one. Negative emotions rob the mind of peace.

   Another good reason not to hate and hold grudges is that negative emotions undermine health. Doctors have estimated that most physical illnesses are caused by negative emotions, but getting rid of them improves health.

- (Matt 22:36-40) Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

- (Rom 13:8-10) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.

9 For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

10 Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

- (1 John 3:11) For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

- (Eph 4:32) And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

- (2 Cor 8:7) Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.

- (2 Cor 12:14,15) Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

• The fullness of the Holy Spirit. The fourth reason why the Christian faith should have a positive effect on mental health is the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the joy it brings. However, it must be admitted that the modern Western church is far from the fullness and abundance of life that the apostles had. We have not been able to own the inheritance and the promises of God, which have already been promised in the scriptures for this life.

    Despite everything, change should follow from turning to God. Paul is one, albeit rare, example from this area. When he had the fullness of the Holy Spirit, he could rejoice even in difficulties and tribulations. He urged others to rejoice and give thanks. When a person is positive, happy and grateful even in difficult circumstances, it is a great miracle of God.

- (Rom 14:17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

- (Rom 15:13) Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

- (2 Cor 7:4) Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

- (Phil 3:1) Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

- (Gal 5:22,23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

- (Phil 4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

A couple of examples of well-known spiritual influencers Dwight L. Moody (he lived in the 19th century) and the Pentecostal apostle T.B. Barratt's life shows how God can bring about change. Both changed strongly internally. They got a new love for people, but they also got a new power for their ministry so that people started to be saved to a greater extent than before. Love and power for ministry appeared together as in the lives of Jesus and the apostles. The same is needed in modern times as many have addictions, depressions and fears that plague them. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is something we need more of. It has a positive effect on a person's inner life.

Moody: The blessing came upon me like a flash of lightning. I remember walking the streets of New York, and right there on the street the power of God seemed to come upon me in such a wonderful way that I had to ask God to stay His hand. I was filled with a sense of God's goodness, and I felt as if I could take the whole world into my heart. (5)

Barratt: It took place yesterday, on Sunday, 7 October, between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the afternoon, and now you will hear what has led to this. My soul is burning! I feel like I'm the happiest man in the world. Everything has become new. I am filled with joy and peace and love for God and people! In all days, He has led me, and my innermost being has continually cried out, "Go ahead! Onward! Ever since my severe illness, more than 20 years ago, there have been forces, good forces, that have driven me forward. The question of sanctification has been my dearest subject; and I have fought for the idea of holiness, even though I have not experienced it myself. But how bad I felt in my own eyes in the face of God's purity and holiness! I saw my own ambition, selfishness, stubbornness, and carnality. Oh, my God, I saw so much, so much that would grieve the Holy Spirit! I was broken and bent to the ground time and time again. (6)

The third example is related to the life of Charles G. Finney, a well-known preacher who lived in the 19th century. God renewed his faith too and he got to experience God's help in his life. By then, he had already been a preacher for several years and large crowds of people had turned to God.

When the great turmoil of this period settled down and my heart calmed down, I saw more clearly the different degrees of my Christian experiences and noticed the inner connection between things, since they were all God's work from beginning to end. But since then I haven't had those hard battles and long periods of painful prayer that I used to have many times. According to my own experience, it is now quite different to "persuade God" with my prayer. I can come before God more calmly because my trust is more complete. He now causes me to rest in Him and allow everything to fall into His perfect will with my mind far more open than ever before my experiences this winter.

    Since then, I have felt such spiritual openness, bearing power and joy in God and His word, such steadfastness of faith, Christian freedom and overflowing love that I had experienced only temporarily before. I don't mean that it was rare for me before, for I had experienced it often and renewingly, but not so deeply as since. My shackles seemed to be broken and since then I have been free like a child in the company of a loving parent. I feel that I meet God in my own being in the sense that I can rest in Him and be at peace, place my heart in His hands and find my rest in His perfect will, without making an effort.

    I mentioned that these experiences had been common in my life since that time. However, I cannot say they have lasted the whole time without interruption, as I lived through a great depression and a period of strange humiliation during my illness in 1860. But the Lord brought me out of it, building again my peace and rest on a firm foundation. (7)

2. Worldy therapies and Christian soul care

This chapter explores Christian soul care, which is quite different from secular therapies. Secular therapies are usually based on the fact that a person is discharged from his anxiety by studying and dealing with his past. In this way, an attempt is made to free him from difficult experiences and painful memories. Through therapy, he is taught to accept the past and orient himself towards the future. Typically, this is a process that takes months or years and the results of which may remain uncertain. However, a person can get some help, because someone listens to and understands him.

    What about biblical pastoral care? As stated, it differs from secular therapies. It is also useful that the helping person is experienced and understands people's difficulties, but it also includes things that do not appear or are not emphasized in secular therapies. The two most important factors in biblical pastoral care are confession of sins and understanding the truth.

1. Confession of sins. As stated, the majority of mental health problems are caused by experiencing disappointments in relationships and rejection from others. It may have led to anger, bitterness and revenge towards others, as well as negative feelings towards oneself: self-pity, self-judgment and suicidal thoughts.

    It was also stated that secular therapies often examine and deal with the past in order for a person to accept it and orient himself to the future. Such therapies may require long discussions and the results may be uncertain.

    Instead, what is essential in biblical soul care is that we ourselves are also guilty, not only those who have transgressed against us. In practice, it means two things for a person who has experienced insults, which he should see as sin and confess them to God.

• He should see his bitterness, anger, revenge and accusations against others as sin. After that, he should confess them to God and let go of them:

- (Matt 6:12,14,15) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For your is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

• He should see his self-pity, self-judgment and suicidal thoughts as sin. After that, he should confess them to God and let go of them.

- (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What happens when we follow God's principles? It leads to freedom from bitterness and depression and improves our physical condition, because negative emotions burden the body. Sven Reichmann tells more about the subject. He has done a lot of soul care work:

A sound, patient heart is free from all bitterness, and such a heart, according to Solomon, is the life of the whole body. An incredible amount of sickness, suffering and misery is caused by the root of bitterness sprouting in our lives. When it is torn away, a person is freed from many such sins in which he has long since lost hope.

    ...You have to become aware of the root and bring it to light. Only then can a person forgive and be free. Because you can only be free by forgiving the person you are bitter towards. A person can become incredibly free from an incredible amount. Things may come up that you haven't even for a moment been able to connect with the contradictions that have come up. But when the root of the bitterness is carved out, the real causes of the problems are revealed. (8)

In pastoral care, people feel the greatest resistance to the teaching that they should give up their accusations and bitterness. They may explain that others do not deserve their forgiveness and that they have a right to be bitter. However, if we act like this, it binds us. We are in a prison, the door of which we ourselves have locked from the inside. It makes us miserable as long as we think it's our right to be bitter.

    What about release from bitterness? Of course, no one can free himself from this matter, especially if it has bound him for years. However, God's grace will help here. If you have noticed your own powerlessness to free yourself from this issue, give way to God's grace. Say to God, “I cannot overcome this issue but thank You for the fact that You can overcome it!” Then trust that he will do what is impossible for you!

    The following quote gives a good picture of what bitterness did. The woman was bound by unforgiveness (Eph 4:26,27: Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.), but when she finally agreed to forgive, it led to freedom. She followed the teaching of the Bible that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (John 1:9):

A woman in her forties was sitting at the front of the meeting room, and began to act strangely. The prayer ministers tried to take her to another room to pray for her, but when they got to the hallway, she started behaving like an animal. She started biting and clawing and banging her head against the wall while snarling at people. The prayer ministers gathered around her and began to call out to the spirits and tell them to leave her alone, but nothing happened.

    …I joined the others and put my arm around the woman to stop her from banging her head on the wall. Whispering, I asked her if there was anyone she should forgive.

    “No,” she shouted. Then the Lord showed me a picture of her father raping her, so I asked if she should forgive her father. She started screaming, “I hate him! I can't stand him! Rot in hell!”

    I said, “Unless you want to forgive him, I can't help you. Demons have a permission to torment you.” I got up and started walking away.

    When I got to the door, she yelled as the hallway echoed (and was still raging around): “Okay, I forgive him! I'll do anything! Help me!" Moments later I led her in prayer to forgive his father and a few other people she could think of. Then we commanded the demons to leave. They went away and she got up laughing! (9)

Confession of sins is of course not limited to the fact that a person confesses to God his bitterness, his accusations towards others and his self-hatred. Although bitterness and self-recrimination are common areas in pastoral care, there are also other sins that can bind a person. For example, getting involved in occult matters (spiritism, spirit healing, visiting a fortune teller, passive meditation...) might be a problem in some people's lives. If they do not confess their sins to God and say goodbye to all false connections to the spirit world, they will not experience freedom. They should understand that repentance and the related confession of sins are the keys by which God's help comes to a person's life. They are also another basic pillar in Christian pastoral care.

    Corrie ten Boom brings out the importance of confessing sins well. She states that when it dawns on people, based on e.g. Deuteronomy 18:10-13, that they have sinned against God, and when they then confess these same sins, they are often freed immediately after this:

In the same way as Elisha sent 'the son of the prophet' back to the place where he had lost the axe and where the miracle took place (2 King 6:5,6), I too send people back to the place where they have, being guilty of sin, opened their hearts to the devil. I ask Jesus our Savior to close the door where they have opened it. Firstly, it is necessary to convince people that they really have sinned! Deut 18:10-13 proves this. Confession is necessary, and after it we can claim that the precious promises of purifying belong also to us (John 1:7-9). How many people I saw freed when they acted obediently according to this word! (10)

2. Understanding the truth. The first step in biblical soul care was to acknowledge our wrong attitudes toward others and ourselves: anger, bitterness, accusations, and self-pity, self-judgment, and suicidal thoughts. In the same way, sins in other areas that we are aware of should be confessed. Otherwise, it is impossible to wait for liberation.

    Another important factor in biblical soul care is the truth, especially that through Jesus Christ we can be loved, accepted and have our sins forgiven. However, it is often difficult for those who have had difficult interpersonal experiences to believe this. In addition to having difficulties in relation to others and in relation to themselves, they can also see God in a negative light. They think that God is judgmental of them, doesn't care about them, or is against them. They question salvation and believe things about themselves and God that are not true.

    How do you get rid of misconceptions? Understanding the truth and replacing a lie with the truth will help with this. If a person has received Jesus Christ into his life and turned to God, he is not a product of the past and negative experiences, but through Christ he is in a new position before God. Our value does not depend on goods, achievements, appreciation of others, career and ourselves, but God has already defined our value. Our value depends above all on the fact that through Christ we can be accepted, pardoned, loved, redeemed and justified. It is about our eternal status, while worldly things are only temporary.

    When helping people, it is therefore important to understand what we own through Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, even in this area, you can start from the wrong end. That is, we try to change our behavior before we have understood the position and identity that we can own through Jesus Christ. However, understanding identity is the key to freedom. We must understand what Jesus has done for us and believe in this truth. Mark Driscoll mentions the subject in one of his books. It took him a long time to understand this basic thing.

I gave people soul care and guided them for years when they were struggling with various problems, for example, alcoholism, sexual perversions, pride, depression, anger or bitterness. I often felt like I was talking to the walls; even though I gave biblical advice, many didn't seem to hear or care about what I said, but continued their destructive ways. It was frustrating and heartbreaking.

    It finally dawned on me – thanks in large part to the wise advice of older and more experienced people – that the cause of life's struggles lies in questions of identity...

    You are not what has been done to you, but what Jesus has done for you. You are not what you do but what Jesus has done. What you do does not define who you are. No, rather who you are in Christ determines what you do. These are the basic truths that we explore more deeply in this book. (11)

Another comment continues on the same topic. It deals with the grace we receive after receiving Jesus Christ into our lives. Every moment we are under grace and subject to God's love, and when we understand this truth, it changes our lives. Joseph Prince talks about this topic in his interesting book Destined to Reign. He used to preach a mixture of law and grace, but it left people unsure of God's approval. The effect was also that they did not have the strength to change their lives. When he changed his declaration and taught about grace in the right and biblical way, it also brought a change in people's lives:

It all started in 1977 on a vacation trip with my wife, Wendy... God told me plainly, "Son, you don't preach grace."

    I replied, “What do you mean, Lord? I don't believe that. That's really not fair." I continued: "I am a preacher of grace." I have preached grace for years and I preach like others that we are saved by grace."

    The Lord replied: “Whenever you preach about grace, you talk about a mixture of grace and law. Like others, you try to balance between grace and law. However, you make grace null and void if you balance it with the law. You cannot put new wine into old wineskins. You cannot possibly combine grace and law.” The Lord went on to say, "Most preachers do not preach grace, as the Apostle Paul preached." He ended our conversation with the words that revolutionized my ministry: "If you don't preach grace in a radical way, people will never experience radical blessing and change in their lives either."

    ...Our congregation's membership had just grown to around 2,000 people at that time. After my encounter with the Lord in Switzerland, it started to grow exponentially. On the first Sunday of 2007, ten years after the beginning of the proclamation of mercy, more than 15,000 people already participated in our events. The Lord confirmed his word both through the increase in the number of church members and the radical change in the lives of thousands of precious people. The change was the result of the proclamation of true grace. Over the years, I have had the privilege of witnessing the healing of marriages, supernatural debt relief, miraculous healings. I have also been able to rejoice in seeing God's children freed from destructive addictions. (12)

GRACE LOST? As stated, a lack of understanding of grace can take away peace of mind. Especially a person who has had difficult relationships with people in the past can move them into the relationship with God. He thinks: "If people haven't loved and accepted me, how can God accept me?" His spiritual life and image of God is formed on the basis of past experiences. The understanding of grace and God's love remains incomplete.

    When starting to study this topic, it is good to understand that salvation is a gift. It is that from beginning to end as the following verses show. If you later have to pay for it with actions or try to achieve God's approval through actions, it is no longer a question of grace or a gift. It has become a religion based on works. We are saved either by grace or by works, not both. If grace comes, works must give way.  Or if we try to affect our salvation with acts, there is no need for grace anymore. Acts can be good and worthwhile, but they should not be confused with the gift of salvation. 

- (Eph 2:8-9) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

- (Rom 3:24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

- (Rev 21:6) And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.

- (Rom 6:14,15) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

- (1 Peter 5:12) By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein you stand.

You can find good teaching in this area, e.g. From Galatians and the 15th chapter of Acts. They tell us that there were false teachers who attached conditions to salvation such as circumcision and other works. However, the clear teaching of the apostles was that the grace that comes through Jesus Christ is sufficient and nothing else is needed (Acts 15:11: But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.). Furthermore, Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians on the subject as follows. He rebuked the Galatians for turning to a different kind of gospel, in which Christ and His grace were no longer the main object of faith, but it was replaced by works, or rather by attempt to gain God’s acceptance through works:

- (Gal 1:6) I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ to another gospel:

- (Gal 3:1-3) O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

2 This only would I learn of you, Received you the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3 Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?

- (Gal 5:4) Christ is become of no effect to you, whoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace.

So we must put our trust in Jesus Christ and His finished work and not in ourselves. Only through His work can we find rest for our souls. If we try to get certainty through ourselves, it's a bit like throwing a ship's anchor into the ship itself. It is clear that it would not work, but the ship would very soon go to windward. That's why the anchor must always be thrown outside the ship to be useful and keep the ship in place.

   The problem of the Galatians at the time was exactly this: they did not "throw their anchor" outside, to Christ, but began to stare at their own actions and themselves. Paul reprimanded them for that and certainly the same rebuke applies to us if we act in the same way as the Galatians:

- (Gal 3:1) O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

- (Hebr 12:2) Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

- (John 1:29) The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

Wrong teaching. As stated, one can easily be taught the wrong way about God and how to gain His approval. This is not a new thing, but it was already manifested among the Galatians when heretical teachers appeared there. It means that there is a lot of emphasis on works and duties, but not on the status that we can get through Christ. Such a false emphasis is characterized by a sin-centeredness, a kind of judgmental nuance, seeing God only as a judge. Similarly, scolding, nagging criticism and emphasis on self-control are typical features. The consequence of such a teaching is that people become spiritually bound and they do not progress in their faith. It is not understood that it is the lack of grace that leads to a shackled and sin-filled life, but understanding it leads to growth and renewal, as practice has repeatedly shown. The order must always be right for change to happen. If it is changed, we will go from the ditch to the puddle.

    What about legalism in the church? It includes many of the same features as mentioned above. It means that grace and the work of Christ come up very little, but instead the focus is on Christian actions, duties and rules, and emphasizing action. Actions such as evangelism are of course important, but spiritual work should only be done out of love for God and people and not just because of the exhortation of others or because it is the right thing to do. Especially if a person works in tasks for which he has no natural gifts, it can lead to depression and burnout. It is difficult to do spiritual work in the long run if it is not meaningful.

    The best way to get rid of legalism and a lack of understanding of grace is when you understand God's grace, his love and that he is a Father who loves us. Jack Frost tells his own interesting experience on the subject in one of his books. He himself had lived a difficult childhood and it was therefore difficult for him to understand the love of God the Father. Her children had shut themselves off from all the affection and advice she tried to offer them. The children rebelled and began to look for the approval they longed for in the wrong circles of friends. They also wanted nothing to do with the angry and legalistic God they saw their father represent. However, when Jack encountered God's love in a new way in 1995 and healed from his experiences of rejection, it brought about a change, not only in him but also in the children. This example shows that many may understand grace and God's love in theory,  but it has not impacted their inner life:

I felt like God had taken me back to when I was ten years old. I suddenly saw very vividly situations from my childhood, when I would hide in the closet at night because I was afraid of the screaming and roaring between my parents, which came from their bedroom. I remembered the feeling of fear, loneliness and abandonment. I felt a deep, aching longing for my father's arms—the hug he was unable to give me as a child.

    I suddenly realized that now, 34 years later, my heavenly Father answered my heart's deepest longing to experience the natural tender love of a father. I encountered God's phileo love. As I lay crying on the floor, Father God entered the dark closet of my childhood and held me in his arms. For three hours, the Holy Spirit poured into my mind, my will and my feelings the love of God that the apostle Paul talks about in Romans 5:5 and washed away a lot of my guilt, my shame, my fear of failure and rejection, my fear of intimacy and my fear of love. The breakthrough finally came…

    …My children's heart had been closed to me for years. Now the brokenness I felt began to open their spirit. The Father’s affectionate phileo love began to restore their father’s heart for his children and it began to break the curse from our lives. (See Malachi 4:6) Four months after I received the special baptism of the Father's love, my daughter Sarah gave me an essay she had written for her English class at school. It was titled "The biggest influence on my life..." My eyes watered as I read her words:

What impacts my life the most is my dad! Through him I have seen the eyes of Jesus and felt His never-ending love! At some point, not so long ago, my dad was a scary man. He was like the captain Blight of H.M.S Bounty. Now he is gentle as a lamb, and as loving. As I have seen my father change from a tough man to an affectionate dad, it has made me change as well. His new patience has helped me through a very difficult year. As I have seen my dad love and cherish God more than ever before, miraculous things have happened to me. Instead of talking about God as a Holy Being, he talks about Him as Father… (13)

Unforgivable sin. The fear that a person has committed an unforgivable sin or a mockery of the Holy Spirit is one reason that can lead him to depression and despair. (This is actually a continuation of the previous topic.) It is difficult to achieve peace of mind if there is no certainty of God's approval. John Fletcher, a contemporary of John Wesley, has written about how people in vain are in this state:

Some people themselves take heavy burdens to carry, and when they are unable to carry those burdens, their conscience is reproached by fictitious guilt. Some people go crazy because of groundless fears, thinking that they have committed an unforgivable sin. Do we not quite literally see hundreds of people who think that they do not have any hope whatsoever, even though they have full reason to be content with their state? (14)

When a person turns to Jesus and comes to a sense of sin, he has done the exact opposite of the unforgivable sin. Jesus showed that it is the work of the Holy Spirit that man sees his sin. Thus, a sense of sin and turning to Jesus Christ is the best proof that a person is in faith, saved and that the Holy Spirit has worked in him.

- (John 16:7,8) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

A believer can indeed grieve the Holy Spirit by his actions (Eph 4:30) and he can quench the Spirit (1 Thess 5:19), but neither of them is an unforgivable act. Instead, Paul showed that when someone confesses Jesus as Lord, it is an act of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, a person who acts like this cannot be guilty of mocking the Holy Spirit. The unpardonable sin is not that God rejects us, but that we reject God. Only a person who constantly lives with a hardened heart and does not at all long for the salvation of his soul can commit this sin. The sin against the Holy Spirit is more than uttering such words. It is a complete turning of the back on God and never caring about Him again.

- (1 Cor 12:3) Why I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

So what causes people to drift into a state where they think they have committed the unforgivable sin? The biggest reason is Satan's lies. If we believe in them, we are bound to despair. So these lies must be replaced with the truth. We must understand the truth about how, when we turn to God, we receive forgiveness of all things. After all, Jesus said that when we come to know the truth, it makes us free:

- (John 8:31,32) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;

32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

We look at the quote, how the truth can set a person free. In it, the well-known preacher from the 19th century, Charles G. Finney, tells how a woman had drifted into mental illness and despair in her relationship with God. He believed Satan's lies that there was no forgiveness for him. However, when Finney brought out the truth about the matter in his declaration, the woman was freed.

There were quite a few interesting conversions and a couple of those where the mental illness was cured in the blink of an eye. Once, when I went to a meeting one Sunday afternoon, I saw a couple of ladies sitting in a church pew with a black-clad woman by her side who looked very restless. Others held her and prevented her from leaving. As I entered, one of the ladies came to me to tell me that the woman was mentally ill. She thought she had fallen from grace; it had led to despair and then mental illness.

  ... For a moment I heard her trying to get away, but before I finished, she calmed down and the whole audience was silent. The Lord gave me a spirit of prayer and a text, for I had not chosen it beforehand. My text was from Hebrews: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

    My purpose was to encourage our faith, both ours and hers, and our faith for her. When I started to pray, she first tried to get away. But the ladies made a friendly resistance, and at last she sat quietly, but with her head well bowed, and seemed determined not to heed my words. But as I continued, her head gradually lifted and she peered at me through the brim of her black hat. More and more her gaze was directed at me until she sat up straight and looked me in the eye earnestly. I urged the people to remain courageous in their faith, throw themselves on God and give themselves with complete trust to Him based on the atoning sacrifice of our great High Priest. Then she suddenly startled the congregation by letting out a loud cry. She almost threw herself off the bench, put her head very low, and I could see that she was shaking. The women who were with her in the pew half supported her and seemed to follow her with a pleading heart and compassion. As I continued my speech, she began to look up again. Soon, she was sitting straight again, her face miraculously changed with a triumphant Joy and peace on her face. I have rarely seen such a glow on a human face. Her joy was so great that she could hardly contain herself until the meeting was over. Then she announced her liberation to everyone. She praised God and rejoiced in a most wonderful way. About two years later I met her, and her heart was still filled with the same joy and peace. (15)

A distorted image of God. Earlier it was noted how difficult interpersonal experiences can distort the perception of God. If a person has experienced resistance from others or has had parents who pointed out mistakes, he can move his difficult experiences into his relationship with God. He may think that if the people close to him have not accepted him as he is, how can God accept and appreciate him.

    As a result, many may think of God as a foreman who is constantly watching them to find faults and then to punish them. They see God as angry, distant, impatient, and constantly disappointed in them despite their best efforts. On the other hand, some may believe that Jesus loves them, but do not see the loving nature of the Father.

    What is the help for a distorted image of God? The answer is understanding the truth about God's character. "For God is love" (1 John 4:8) and it is in His essence that He loves everyone regardless of what a person's own feelings are. After all, it is also written: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

    Furthermore, we should understand that Jesus is the perfect image of the Heavenly Father. When we read about Jesus showing love for people, it is the same as reading about a loving heavenly Father. Jesus himself referred to this connection, so it should be taken seriously:

- (John 14:8-10) Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffises us.

9 Jesus said to him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?

10 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?  the words that I speak to you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works.

- (Col 1:14,15) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

- (Hebr 1:2,3) Has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

Jesus’ parable about the prodigal son also brings up the nature of our loving Father. As the father of the prodigal son welcomed the boy with open arms, our heavenly Father does the same. We should have faith in these words, instead of relying on our feelings, which might come from disappointments in our past relationships:

- (Luke 15:17-24) And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you,

19 And am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

The following quote shows how a person can be healed and whole internally when he understands God as a loving Father. A flawed worldly father or disappointments in relationships should not define anyone's worth. Our value is found in being the object of the heavenly Father's love. The problem is that we are unable to understand our identity in and through Jesus Christ. We receive it immediately in our conversion. Through Christ we are pardoned, accepted and sins are forgiven. This is what is offered to anyone who turns to God and welcomes His Son, Jesus Christ, into their life.

In 2005, God touched my need for a father. My father had been away from home a lot and wasn't there to provide shelter, guide me to the reality of life and encourage me to express what was going on inside of me. I got my hands on a book about fatherhood that started the healing process. God began to show that He was the Father I had always longed for and sought. It was good to start getting those emotional needs met. Suddenly God seemed to come through and for the first time in my life I began to see God on my side. I heard Him speak affirming words about my personality. He defended me and said I was perfectly fine. I also heard that He was in the hills of happiness when I was born! And that He feels excited and proud of me as a person. I had never heard that before, because in my own perception, everyone considered me undesirable and certainly not a subject of any enthusiasm. God began to act as a Father to me that I had not seen or known before. It started a small revolution inside me. I found out the truth (which the devil had hidden from me for years) that I am accepted, wanted and welcome. God believes and trusts me. I enjoy these truths and now I understand that God thinks positive thoughts about my personality and sees a harmonious picture of me! Praise Him for that! (16)

Understanding the truth. As stated earlier, understanding the truth is another basic pillar and key in Christian pastoral care. If we understand our position through Jesus Christ, i.e. that we are forgiven, righteous, loved, accepted and our sins forgiven, it also changes our inner life. It empowers change.

    Therefore, we will highlight a few verses that highlight what we are through Jesus Christ. This is also true in your life if you have received Jesus Christ into your life and turned to God:

You are saved by grace:

- (Eph 2:8,9) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

- (Eph 2:4,5) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)

- (Acts 15:11) But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

In addition to being saved by grace, you are also constantly under grace. This means that you are equally acceptable when you pray 8 hours a day or when you are fallen. Your achievements or falls do not change this state to anything: 

- (Rom 5:1,2) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

- (Rom 6:14,15) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

- (Phil 1:7) Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace.

- (1 Peter 2:10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

- (1 Peter 5:12) By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein you stand.

You have been redeemed:

- (1 Cor 6:20) For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

- (Gal 3:13) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:

You are as righteous as Jesus, because you are in Him. Therefore, there is no need for you to try to be righteous by yourself:

- (1 Cor 1:30) But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

God is your father just like He is the father of Jesus:

- (Mark 14:36) And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what you will.

- (Rom 8:15) For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

- (Gal 4:6) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

You are a child of God, because you have received Jesus into your life. At the same time, you are a joint-heir with Christ:

- (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

- (Gal 4:5-7) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Why you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

- (Rom 8:15-17) For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

- (1 John 3:1,2) Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Jesus is your brother:

- (John 20:17) Jesus said to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brothers, and say to them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

God has loved you:

- (Eph 2:4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

- (Rom 5:8) But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

- (1 John 4:10) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God has chosen you:

- (Eph 1:4) According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

- (1 Cor 1:28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are:

God wanted you to be born:

- (Rev 4:11) You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.

You are a friend of God:

- (John 15:15) From now on I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.

Nothing can separate you from the love of God:

- (Rom 8:38,39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God is with you:

- (Ps 23:1-4) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.

- (Hebr 13:5) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

You will spend the eternity with God, who loves you:

- (Rev 21:3,4) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

The next quote also refers to how God can bring about change. It tells the story of a person who had suffered from depression for many years, but began to break free when she encountered God's love and forgiveness. In addition, she gained the strength to overcome her wrong thinking habits, which included bitterness towards others and self-pity. These three things, i.e. understanding God's love and freedom from bitterness and self-pity, are also cornerstones in biblical soul care:

As I looked at the face of this attractive young woman, I couldn't help but think how typical her case was. In the first place, she was triumphantly melancholic in character; because of that, she was negative, sensitive and prone to excessive self-observation. Moreover, she had lost all hope for the future. Growing up in a broken home, she was literally unwanted by both her parents and siblings.

    The first step in Beth's extraordinary recovery was taken when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. It was then that she found the love and forgiveness she had always longed for. She also gained the strength to overcome her thinking habits, which were filled with resentment and self-pity. When she received from Jesus Christ the power to forgive her parents, Jesus removed the roots of bitterness that had crippled her for years. (17)

DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE. When it comes to the Christian life, it can sometimes be misrepresented. It may be taught that when a person turns to God, all their problems are solved and that life is like sunshine. This may be emphasized, although it does not correspond to the truth at all.  Some may also have rushed to abandon medications (including psychiatric drugs) before a person has been ready for it. It is easy to make such mistakes.

    Despite everything, there are problems in life and they can depress people. Others get depressed faster. Especially people with a melancholic temperament drift more easily into depression and hopelessness. They have a natural "ability" to drift into negative thoughts.

    How can depression and hopelessness be combated? You certainly can't get rid of it entirely, but at least the following couple of remedies can help a little.

Thinking makes you unhappy. First, it is important to note that the circumstances themselves do not cause depression. (Like anger doesn't depend on what others do. Anger is a product of our own thinking.) Instead, depression depends on what we ourselves think about the circumstances. We make ourselves unhappy with negative thoughts. We fear losing the approval of others and think about it. We fear that our money worries will not be solved and we think about it. Or we think and worry about things that cannot be changed. We do not take into account the teaching of the Bible that we are forbidden to worry and that we should be thankful and joyful:

- (Matt 6:25-27) Therefore I say to you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature?

- (Phil 4:6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

- (1 Thess 5:18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

- (Phil 4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Thinking therefore plays an important role in the treatment of depression. If we don't understand that it is our own thinking that makes us unhappy and not the circumstances, our understanding is deficient. We blame circumstances and difficult people, but we forget that wrong thinking takes the joy out of life, not the circumstances themselves.

    What about the supernatural side of depression? It is true that depression is usually caused by natural causes such as family problems, traumatic experiences, feelings of inadequacy and money worries, as well as our negative thinking related to worries. However, is it possible that there can also be a spirit of depression in the background? This cannot be completely ruled out, because any sin or wrong thinking can lead before long to the pressure of the enemy. It can tease us with things that are the result of life's difficulties.

    So how do we get rid of these things? Of course, we can resist the forces that cause depression and command them to leave in the name of Jesus Christ, and they will leave. Still, what remains is our own thinking. Is it positive or are we still harboring negative thoughts? It should also be reformed, and it is a long-term process. Well-known teacher Derek Prince shares his own experience on the subject. He talks about his liberation from the spirit of depression, but also about how he had to reform his thinking:

A decisive moment in my life had come. I had always considered my depression and negative attitude to be an expression of my own nature, something I was born with. I had felt guilty for not being a "better" Christian. Now it became clear to me that my battle was not at all against some part of my personality.

    Immediately the Holy Spirit reminded me of the promise in Joel 3:5: “whoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered” I decided to take the promise as my own and act on it. I said a simple prayer that went something like this: “Lord, you have shown me that the spirit of depression has depressed me, but you have promised in your word that those who call on your name will be saved. So I ask you to set me free in the name of Jesus!”

    The answer came immediately. It was as if a huge heavenly vacuum cleaner came over me and sucked away the gray haze that had surrounded my head and shoulders. At the same time, the pressure on my chest was greatly relieved and I gasped for breath.

    God had answered my prayer. Suddenly everything around me seemed brighter. It felt like a great burden had been lifted off my shoulders. I was free! All my life I had been anxious. It felt strange to be free. However, it quickly became clear to me that it was normal to be free and anxiety was abnormal.

    My old enemy did not give up on me. I was still able to fight depression. But the big difference was that now the attacks came from without and not from within. Little by little I learned to resist them.

    The main target of the attacks was to make me act and behave pessimistically. When everything seemed to go wrong, I started to harbor negative thoughts about what was going to happen. Very soon I felt the all-too-familiar fog begin to settle around my head and shoulders again.

    At that point, God taught me another important lesson: he would do for me what I can't do myself, but He wouldn't do what He wants me to do. God had answered my request and freed me from the spirit of depression, but now it was my responsibility to practice biblical discipline in terms of my thoughts. (18)

Do we take experiences from God's hand? Another reason for depression is that we don't see God's hand behind everything, but look at circumstances and people. Daily events are things he has allowed into our lives. We don't think that God is doing His good work in us through these circumstances, but we get depressed and grumble. It's a normal reaction to having difficult things in our lives.

    What if we accept the difficult things in our lives and take them from God's hand? It doesn't eliminate problems, but it makes life a little easier. The burden is lightened if we accept the difficult things and don't try to get rid of them. Madame Guyon has taught on this important subject where our deficiency becomes apparent:

How should you react when the Lord does His work in your life through a cross? When something comes into your life that your flesh, your own self, feels aversion to, immediately surrender to God. Accept that thing. Give yourself in that moment as a sacrifice to Him.

    By doing this, you will eventually make a huge discovery: when the cross comes into your life, it will not be nearly as heavy as you first feared. Accept it from God's hand, whatever it may be. The burden is much lighter this way. The burden is lightened because you willingly accepted it.

    Don't misunderstand these words. I have not described to you how to get rid of carrying the cross. Even if you leave yourself completely to God and love your cross, it does not prevent you from feeling the pain it produces. Feeling pain is one of the most essential aspects of suffering. Suffering is woven into the essence of the cross. Remember that your Lord took to endure the ultimate suffering of the cross. (19)

Watchman Nee continues on the same topic. He mentions how we may look at other people but fail to see God behind the circumstances. Difficult people or difficult circumstances can be a hidden blessing from God that we do not understand. They are God's love for us. We need His revelation to grasp it. He allows difficult circumstances so that we understand that He is with us even in them. We should start thanking God instead of complaining about other people's mistakes or worrying about things.

First, many live in darkness and do not see the hand of God. When God acts and does His work of destruction, they do not realize that it is from Him. They are devoid of light and only see people opposing them. They imagine that their environment is too difficult and consider that the circumstances must be blamed. Thus they continue in darkness and despair.

    May God give us a revelation, that we may see what is from His hand, and that we may kneel down and say to Him, "It is You, because it is You, I accept." At least we should know whose hand is shaping us. It is not a human hand, not a member of our family, not the hand of a brother or sister in our church, but God's. We must learn to kneel, kiss and love the hand that does its work in us. We must come to the light of accepting and believing everything the Lord has ever done. The Lord cannot make a mistake. (20)

3. Influence of evil spirits

- (Mark 5:14-16) And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

- (Acts 8:5-8) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

In connection with depression, doctors have tried to figure out what causes it. They often talk about a chemical imbalance in the brain that is tried to be balanced with drugs. Many have received at least temporary help through medication. However, if a person does not get better even after a long time, one can ask whether there are other factors behind; those for which no solution can be found through ordinary aids.

    One unexplained cause of suffering can also be the influence or pressure of evil spirits. A very large part of the activity of Jesus and the apostles was concentrated in this area. They not only preached the gospel and healed the sick, but also freed people from the oppression of evil spirits.

    The following example is related to the topic. The author says that even though he was a Christian, he was under the pressure of spirits. He had a slight nervous breakdown, but when he was prayed for, he was freed from the oppressive spirits:

In 1984, I was faced with a big problem... I was overwhelmed with fear and weakness for a whole year. My life was thrown around; I was overwhelmed with confusion, gloom, panic, and constant anticipation that I would have a heart attack or the doctors would find from me a cancer. I fought to stay alive, but I didn't have the strength to change anything. I floated like a ball on the waves of the sea.

    One day, when I was supposed to lead our meeting, I had a mild nervous breakdown…

    In one meeting I fell from the power of God. As I lay on the floor, God gave me for the first time the vision I described at the beginning. Afterwards, I felt I had to ask the staff to pray for me to be freed from the influence of evil spirits. They prayed a simple prayer without any outward signs. Inside me, however, everything changed! I was reassured that I had finally found an understanding of the root cause of the year-long suffering. I felt with apparition-like certainty that I had been possessed by evil spirits. You understand that assuming the truth or even believing it is not enough - you have to commit to the truth, because faith without works is dead.

    I have never experienced any truth that helped so much - I was able to move from a state of suffering to a state of peace, freedom, strength and assurance! I have now lived in this revelation for years and used it in prayer to help myself, my family and countless people from different nations. (21)

Two extremes. When it comes to the influence of evil spirits, one can go to two extremes in that area. Both can be harmful in their own way. The first course of action produces unnecessary fears. The latter leaves people to their problems and suffering.

The first wrong course of action is to explain all problems as coming from evil spirits or to try to drive away demons that don't exist. Others may also be under the fear that they have evil spirits, even if there is none. This is another extreme we can drift to in this area. We don't understand that problems can only be caused by natural factors. For example, if someone suffers because of their difficult mother-in-law, it does not mean that the mother-in-law is possessed.

The second wrong course of action is that we deny the existence and influence of evil spirits. This is common especially in Western countries, where nothing supernatural is believed. On the other hand, in other parts of the world, these things are believed in and are known about. The main reason for this difference of opinion is surely the fact that idolatry and witchcraft have been practiced in other parts of the world for centuries. Therefore, people are aware of the existence of the spirit world, but they have no solution on how to free themselves from the influence of spirits.

    A small practical example shows how one has to face such problems in missionary work. The solution to these problems is found when a person submits to Jesus Christ, confesses his sins, and then resists evil spirits in the name of Jesus Christ. Mere social work, no matter how good it is, is not enough on its own:

Doctor Charles Kraft, my colleague from Fuller’s theological seminary, tells what happened to him in Nigeria. He tried to teach, what the Letter to the Romans has to say, to a small tribe. After a few months the same people came to him and explained very politely that his teachings are good, but did not cater to their needs at all. They needed wisdom for their nightly battles with bad spirits that were tormenting them. Doctor Kraft had to admit that, unfortunately, he never received training to act against bad spirits. (22)

Despite everything, if we take the teachings of the Bible as they are and also the experiences of practical life, this area cannot be bypassed. Many unexplained problems may be caused by the influence of evil spirits, where psychiatry and conventional medicine cannot help much. The more occultism (spiritism, spirit healing, passive meditation, witchcraft, etc.) begins to appear in Western countries, the more problems similar to those that have occurred in other parts of the world for centuries will emerge.

    The following quote is related to the topic. It is an article in the Ultra magazine, where the author tells how many people have mental health disorders after they started practicing border knowledge. These are matters where, based on the Bible, it is a question of false spirits, i.e. evil spirits. Those who deal with boundary knowledge usually do not understand this themselves, because they do not believe in the teaching of the Bible that the evil spirit world exists and deceives people.

Need for Crisis Service in the Area of Occultism

What exactly is happening in the area of occultism? Have we gone too far to something that many can no longer cope with on their own? The much-talked about expansion of consciousness in the Age of Aquarius apparently happens too quickly, the chakras are opened too early. After all, they should be allowed to unfold in peace by themselves as a person is ready to withstand the sharpening of his psychic abilities.

    Many of us are so eager to see, hear, and experience things beyond our limited physical senses that we will do almost anything to speed up the process of opening our astral sight and hearing. Unfortunately, the consequences are not completely clear.

    The opening of astral vision before the protective mechanisms are built is frightening. Apart from figures, some people can see distorted, mischievous faces, even exceptionally moving ones, whose appearance in a dark room is a very unpleasant experience.

    As a result of the opening of the astral hearing, the domestic peace of the human polo has gone. He is guaranteed to never be alone. Sometimes he is controlled by only one zealous harasser who has comments on everything his victim does. This calls for doing all kinds of crazy and dangerous things; to walk to the edge of a cliff or drive a car into a ditch. The victim is intimidated and threatened with all kinds of accidents. Sometimes the harasser announces his name, which may be the same as the dark lord's... (23)

Other comments tell more about the same topic. They are about UFO phenomena, the consequences of which are negative. Some people may experience physical improvement, but in the long run, people's joy in life decreases. The consequences of UFO experiences are similar to what occultism (spiritism, witchcraft...) has been found to be in general. The first comment is from well-known UFO expert John Keel. He mentions in one of his books:

Working with UFOs can be just as dangerous as black magic (…) the consequences range from paranoid schizophrenia and demonic mania to suicide.  (24)

John Keel continues his account of what usually happens to the lives of the people who have been in contact with UFOs:

"I have watched helplessly as UFO contactees sank into a hopeless state of personality decay and became insane or even committed suicide."

Bob Larson continues along the same lines in his book UFO. He describes problems of people who have been in contact with UFOs and says that he has not yet met anyone who has in the long run considered their UFO experiences positive. The humanoids did not offer them any peace of mind. This is all understandable in the light of the fact that the so-called aliens are not aliens from other planets, but they are false spirits (evil spirits) deceiving people:

In hundreds of accounts and personal interviews I have researched, not a single victim has expressed that there was anything comforting about their encounter with aliens. Aliens do not offer peace of mind. Instead, psychiatrists who have studied abductees report that most encounters lead to severe trauma, followed by haunting nightmares and terrifying flashbacks. This initial reaction of fear usually gives way to submission when one submits to being the medium through which supernatural knowledge passes. These people feel like manipulated robots who do not have any other possibility than to obey these more developed beings.

    Because these people are completely under the influence of these beings, they feel that they are controlled by them so much that they no longer have any life of their own. Every decision in their life is controlled by these higher beings. If these bearers of messages really mean well and are mentally more developed, as they generally claim, why do their appearances not offer any comfort?

What is the answer of the Christian faith to those people whose problems are the result of the influence of evil spirits? Can Jesus help people who suffer from mental health disorders and whose problems do not seem to have a reason? This is what we will explore next.

Freedom through Jesus. First, you have to understand that in Jesus there is not only salvation and eternal life. He also has deliverance from evil spirits. Freedom is found through him and in his name there is power over evil spirits. Therefore, turn to Jesus Christ with all your heart and surrender your life to him. You can pray the salvation prayer in the following way, for example: Lord, Jesus, I turn to You. I confess that I have sinned against You and have not lived according to Your will. However, I want to turn away from my sins and follow You with all my heart. I also believe that my sins have been forgiven through Your atonement and I have received eternal life through You. I thank You for the salvation that You have given me. Amen.

- (John 5:39,40) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

- (Luke 10:17-20) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through your name.

18 And he said to them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

19 Behold, I give to you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

When a person turns to God and Jesus Christ, he can still experience hard spiritual battles afterwards. What is the reason for this, or what is usually the reason why people have become bound? There are e.g. the following reasons for this.

1. Committing sin. The first reason is that the person himself has exposed himself to the influence of evil spirits by committing sin. The occult in particular is an area that was found to bind people. If a person has visited spirit healers, had contact with UFOs, practiced passive meditation, or has been involved in other areas of borderline knowledge, he may have become bound.

    However, the most common sin is bitterness, unforgiveness and judgment of others. If a person does not want to forgive, he can remain bound and not be forgiven by God (Matt 6:15: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.). That's why forgiveness is essential when seeking liberation.

2. Family influence. Another reason why a person may be bound is that the person's family has practiced occultism, recited lights, or committed other serious sins. Demonic strongholds can be passed down from generation to generation. An example of this is e.g. clairvoyance, which can be passed from parents to children. When a person then turns to God, he may not know anything about this bond, but it can limit his faith life and take away his joy. It can be a cause of depression and hard spiritual battles are also possible.

   How to get rid of this bond? It occurs when one confesses and disassociates oneself from the sins of parents and ancestors. This is not way to affect the fate of one’s ancestors, but it takes away the devil’s right to influence that person’s life. The prayer and command can take place, for example, in the following way:

Oh Lord, Father, I confess to You all the sins of my ancestors and parents such as witchcraft, spiritualism, spirit healing, immorality, false oaths, etc. and I break away from them. Thank You that I may be free from the effect of these sins and from all the evil spirits through the atoning work of Jesus. Thank You that my spiritual inheritance comes from Christ and not from the sins of my ancestors. Amen

"Satan and you evil spirits, I have confessed to God the sins of my ancestors and parents and the false oaths and broken away from them. Now you no longer have any legal right in this regard, because through the blood of Jesus these matters have been forgiven and their effect has been broken. Therefore, I command you now in the name of Jesus Christ to leave me and my surroundings, and never to return!

3. Traumatic experiences are the third reason why people have problems. If someone has been in an accident or has had traumatic interpersonal experiences, they can suffer because of them. Satan is an accuser (Rev 12:10) and a tempter (Matt 4:3) and reminds us of unpleasant things. We ourselves may harbor false thoughts or wrongdoings committed by others. It allows the devil to influence our lives more and more.

- (Eph 4:26,27) Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

- (2 Cor 2:10,11) To whom you forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Those who have had difficult interpersonal experiences and those who have been hurt, should notice two things in particular: bitterness and accusations towards others and accusations towards oneself. First of all, anger, accusations and bitterness towards others must be recognized as a sin. In other words, we should give up the role of accuser and forgive. If we are in the role of the accuser and do not forgive, we are cooperating with Satan, who is the accuser (Rev 12:10). So forgive that you experience liberation! If you feel that it is difficult for you to forget the wrongs you have experienced, ask God for the desire to forgive!

    Self-hatred, suicidal thoughts and accusations against oneself must also be recognized as sin. If you harbor suicidal thoughts or blame yourself, you are doing just as wrong as those who blame others. So confess to God also the false accusations and thoughts about yourself! Also accept the teaching of the Bible that God has loved and loves you.

- (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

- (1 John 4:9,10) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

If you have traumatic experiences, it is likely that they haunt you in your memories and dreams. However, such things can be handed over to God and Jesus Christ. It can be difficult to free yourself from the burden of unpleasant memories, but God can help. After all, it is written: "Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Likewise, Jesus gave the following promises:

- (Matt 11:28-30) Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

- (John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Confess your sins and resist the devil! After you have turned to Jesus, you must next close the gates through which the devil has been able to influence your life. It simply happens by confessing all the sins that come to mind and then resisting the forces of evil that have come to influence that area. You can tell the accuser and the bully to leave your life (James 4:7: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.) Confessing Sins and resisting can be said, for example, in the following ways:

"Lord, Father, forgive me for participating in spiritism, spirit healing... Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son Jesus."

"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God that I have participated in spiritism, spirit healing....Now you no longer have any legal right in these areas, because through the blood of Jesus I have been forgiven by God for these things. Therefore, in the name of Jesus Christ, I now command you get out of me and around me, and you must never come back!"

__________

"Lord, Father, forgive me for emptying my mind and making it inactive because it is not your will. Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son Jesus."

"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God that I have emptied my mind and made it inactive. Now you no longer have any legal right in this area because through the blood of Jesus I have been forgiven by God. Therefore, in the name of Jesus Christ, I now command you get out of me and around me, and you must never come back!"

__________

"Lord, Father, forgive my wrong connections with the spirit world! I ask that you take away from me now those supernatural gifts and abilities that are not of you and that you also take away from me any connection with the spirit world that is not of you. Thank you for cleansing my body, my soul and spirit from all wrong through the blood of Jesus. In Jesus name, amen."

"Now, in the name of Jesus Christ, I command all evil spirits that give me the ability to communicate with the spirit world to leave my life immediately, and you must never come back!"

__________

"Lord, Father, forgive my involvement in extramarital affairs, pornography and other sins in this area! Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son Jesus."

"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God that I have been involved in false relationships and pornography that are not God's will. Now you no longer have any legal right in this area because through the blood of Jesus I have been forgiven by God for these things. Therefore, I now command In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of me and around me, and you must never come back!"

__________

"Lord, Father, forgive my bitterness and accusation against ....! Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son Jesus."

"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God that I have been bitter towards.... Now you no longer have any legal right in this area because through the blood of Jesus I have been forgiven by God for these things. Therefore, in the name of Jesus Christ, I now command you get out of me and around me, and you must never come back!"

_________

"Lord, Father, forgive my self-hatred, suicidal thoughts and self-pity! Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son Jesus."

"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God my self-hatred, suicidal thoughts and self-pity. Now you no longer have any legal right in these areas, because through the blood of Jesus I have been forgiven by God for these things. Therefore, in the name of Jesus Christ, I now command you to get away from me and around me, and you must never come back!"

__________

"Lord, Father, forgive my pride and envy of others. Also forgive my rebellion and disrespect for those you have placed above me. Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son Jesus."

"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God my pride, my envy and my rebellion. Now you no longer have any legal right in these areas because through the blood of Jesus I have been forgiven by God for these things. Therefore, I now command you in the name of Jesus Christ to leave me and around me, and you must never come back!"

__________

"Lord, Father, I bring before you all the fears and feelings of shame and inferiority that have come to me through traumatic events. Thank you that I can be free through your Son Jesus Christ, because he said:  “Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30)

"Satan and you evil spirits, I have confessed to God all the fears and feelings of shame and inferiority that have come to me through traumatic events at school, at home or accidents. Now you no longer have any legal right in this area because through the blood of Jesus these things are forgiven and their influence is cut off. Therefore, I command you now in the name of Jesus Christ to get out of me, and you must never come back!"

_________

"Lord, Father, I confess to you that it is wrong to worry about things that cannot be changed. Thank you that I can bring all my sorrows to you and believe that you will take care of me and I will not have to worry and be depressed about the future.

"Satan and you evil spirits, I have confessed to God my unnecessary worry and depression and have said goodbye to them. Now you no longer have any legal right in this area, because through the blood of Jesus these things have been forgiven and their influence has been cut off. Therefore, I now command Jesus Christ in the name of all spirits of depression and despair depart from me and around me, and you must never come back!"

__________

"In the name of Jesus Christ, I break all curses that have been placed against me. At the same time, in the name of Jesus Christ, I command all demonic powers and diseases to leave me and around me and my family's life, and you must never come back!"

    And Lord, dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you give me protection against anger and that you cut off all connections between me and the attacks of the spirit world. In addition, I want to bless those people who have spoken ill of me and cursed me. In the name of Jesus, amen."

_________

4. Special groups

HOW TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE HOMOSEXUAL TENDENCIES? When many attack the Christian faith, one of the targets of attack is sexuality. It is explained that the Christian faith represents sexual negativity and is a philosophy that is negative for life. That is why it is thought to cause emotional traumas. In this context, many also bring up homosexuality and think that the Christian faith represents a narrow-minded and old-fashioned concept that has nothing to do with modern times. Likewise, they may think that the God of the Bible especially hates gays.

    So how to help those with homosexual tendencies? How should one proceed and how to help them in the church? That's what we'll try to deal with next.

God has loved people. When we start to deal with this topic, the first misconception is that God is angry with some special group of people like gays. On the contrary, God has loved all people and wants them to come to Him. That is why Jesus, the Son of God came into the world. Through him, every person can get in touch with God, no matter what their background is. There is no sinner so great that he cannot be forgiven by God if he turns to Him.

- (Rom 5:6,8) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

8 But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

- (1 John 4:9,10) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Is everything right? Secondly, it is worth asking, is all behavior right and is all sexual behavior right? Here is where people’s opinions divide, and that is because some people do not consider sex outside of marriage and homosexual relationships as wrong, whereas others do. According to the Bible, sexuality in itself is not a bad thing if it happens between a man and a wife in marriage. Other sexual relationships, on the other hand, are wrong.

    Another important factor is the truth. If we presume that Jesus' and the disciples’ teaching is an announcement from God, we must realize that the willful practice of homosexuality is a sin that will lead to damnation. It is not the only sin leading to damnation but one amongst many. Those who support this lifestyle and other improper lifestyles in the eyes of God, are leading other people to hell. These persons do not help anyone, as they give people false confidence concerning their eternity.

    One can also ask, how do the defenders of these things know better than Jesus and the apostles that God has a favorable attitude towards it if someone commits adultery, lives intentionally in homosexual relationships or does other wrong things? Isn't the perception of these individuals based on their imaginations because they have no personal knowledge of what lies beyond the border?

- (1 Cor 6:9,10) Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Understanding different backgrounds. Thirdly, it is important to understand people’s backgrounds. Those with homosexual tendencies often have similar underlying factors which have impacted their lives. Men might have had a difficult father relationship, rejection from schoolmates, and other traumatic experiences, including sexual abuse. Similarly, women might have had similar experiences with people of their own gender. Some women may also have had a father or other male figure who abused or belittled them.

   Those who become homosexuals are often driven to it by natural causes. They have normal and natural needs to gain acceptance from the same sex, which they have not received in previous stages of life. It only unravels in the wrong way, that is, through sexual relations. They fill the void with it and not through ordinary friendships. The following honest comments will tell more about this topic. The comments come from two men who have had homosexual tendencies and background, and they tell how their difficult relationships with the same gender, especially with their father, impacted their lives:

A large part of my early sexual development reflected an alienation from my own masculinity. I felt inadequate and unsuited to the role of a man. It had a lot to do with my emotional distance from my father, which was as much due to my own expectations and misperceptions as my father's shortcomings. My separation from my father was reinforced by constant rejections from my male peers that began in elementary school and continued through adolescence. Because I had distanced myself from my father and my male peers, I began to feel strong homosexual longings. I didn't understand the mood of hurt and judgment I had towards men. I also didn't realize how difficult it was for me to come to terms with my own masculinity. (25)

I had many broken relationships, but one was particularly painful – the relationship with my father. The vulnerability I experienced through him was so great that I felt him as a dark presence watching my every move, even though we lived a thousand miles apart…

    Unlike many children, I never wanted to imitate my father, because I did not see any admirable qualities in him. He not only left me unconfirmed as a man, but also demeaned and mocked my emerging masculinity. As a result, I suppressed my masculinity and distinguished myself from everything that my father practically stood for. I even remember the inner oath that I would never become like him...

    … My own father's glances at me never expressed love or support; they were often full of cruel mockery. One of my father's workers once said to me: "Mario, your father is the only man I know who can turn another man upside down with one evil look." (26)

The third comment is related to female homosexuality. In the background, there is often a difficult relationship with the mother. It is the most common background factor:

Like Bette, Bonita had also missed her mother's arms. Although he had become a joyful and enthusiastic Christian, the memories of early rejection were still painful within her and shaped her life. Her history included that the mother had tried to have an abortion, even though a previous pregnancy had already been terminated. Mother did not hesitate to tell Bonita these things when she was still small. Her mother, who had failed in her attempt to destroy her even before birth, had always rejected her because the girl had invaded her life and actively hated her if she received any kind of affection from her father.

    … I told these two stories briefly to emphasize what I already talked about with Lisa. Very often, the one who falls into a lesbian relationship is in the same situation as Lisa, Bette and Bonita – it is a careless moment and is related to the fact that the woman did not receive a mother's affection in her childhood. Bette and Bonita became whole like Lisa when they allowed Christ to come into the midst of their inner loneliness and heal old losses and rejections. (27)

Temptations are still present 

- (Matt 16:25,26) For whoever will save his life shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Fourth, it's good to understand that those who struggle with homosexual feelings are in a similar position to people who have temptations for other things. Some may feel drawn to heterosexual pornography, others to alcohol, others to extramarital sex, others to anger and bitterness, others to something else. Each may have different tendencies and temptations.

    Those who struggle with homosexuality and want to get rid of it can often be disappointed that they still have homosexual temptations. However, God rarely takes away all temptations from people. Of course, He can do so and some have experienced it, but in general, man himself should resist temptations—not in his own strength, but trusting that God influences will and doing. The only person who never fell in the face of temptation was Jesus. Through Him, imperfect people can draw near to God; whatever their background.

- (Hebr 4:14,15) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Friendships. Important channels in inner healing can be people that are close. When a person expects to be rejected, but gets to experience acceptance from others, it helps him to accept himself in a new way. This is a normal way in inner healing.

    Those with a homosexual background and inclination are no exception. We are not often well prepared to help such people in congregations, and we should work on that. Normal friendships, especially from people of the same sex, can help them. A person who himself lived in a homosexual relationship tells about it:

In the end, I agreed to explore a little of my own soul world. What exactly kept my homosexual feelings alive? I noticed an unnatural emotional level of coldness towards my own father. As I looked into it more closely, I became aware of my own deep feelings of anger and resentment towards him that I had suppressed for years… I cried because my need for male friends was so great. Something inside me cried out for an affirming and tender partner who would not, however, bind me. I didn't want sex or romance from men - I simply wanted friends! For years I had experienced a lack of positive sources of male acceptance, and my soul had additionally suffered from my attempts to fill that lack with homoerotic relationships. God made me whole at this deeper level to distinguish the real from the fake. (28)

HOW TO HELP CHILDREN?

When Jesus lived on earth, it is told how He took children in his arms and blessed them. He, who was and is the perfect image of God and one with God the Father, loved children and wanted them well. He also stated how the kingdom of God is for those who are like children. Similarly, He also stated how those who misguide children from believing in Him would have a bad fate:

- (Mark 10:14-16) But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Truly I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.

- (Matt 18:1-7) At the same time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child to him, and set him in the middle of them,

3 And said, Truly I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoever shall receive one such little child in my name receives me.

6 But whoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe to the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

So how do you help children in terms of mental health? When the subject of this article is mental health, it is important to note that the majority of mental health disorders arise as a result of difficult experiences in childhood and adolescence. Usually the reason is experiences that the child doesn't feel important to their parents or resistance from schoolmates. Here we will briefly look at only the first reason and how to fix it. It involves three important cornerstones, each of which is important in its own way. These three cornerstones are the relationship between the parents, the relationship between the parents and the child, and the child's relationship with God. If all of these are in balance, it gives children a secure foundation for life:

Stay together with your spouse! One of the best ways to improve children's mental health is simply for parents to stay together, forgive and love each other. A warm relationship between parents is the key to a child feeling safe. The relationship between the parents does not have to be perfect, but if the children have basic trust that the parents will stay together despite the difficulties, that is a good basic starting point for mental health. A small example shows what it means for parents to stay together and the lack of it. Fatherlessness in particular is a modern problem:

When I was speaking at a certain men's camp in Hume Lake in California, I mentioned that the average father spends only three minutes of quality time with his child a day. After the meeting, one man questioned my information.

    He scolded, "You preachers only say things. According to the latest research, the average father doesn't spend even three minutes daily with his children, but 35 seconds."

   I believe him because he worked as a school inspector in central California. Actually, he gave me another startling statistic.

   In a certain school district in California there were 483 students in special education. None of those students had a father at home.

   In a certain area on the outskirts of Seattle, 61% of children live without a father.

   The absence of a father is a curse nowadays. (29)

Respect your children!

- (1 Thess 2:7,11 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children:

11 As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father does his children,

Peter wrote in his time (1 Peter 2:17): "Honor all men". It also has good instructions for treating children. If children are valued regardless of their achievements, appearance or external circumstances, it is a good foundation for mental health. It can also mean a listening attitude and speaking to children in a normal voice when there is a temptation to get angry (James 1:19: Why, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath).  In addition, giving time is important. It can happen in the form of a game or play, but just as well so that the parent includes the child in his/her own activities, which he/she do anyway. Of course, there are other ways to value children. The basic starting point is the parent's own positive attitude towards the child.

Tell about God's love! Two basic things for children's well-being were brought up above: parents' mutual relationship and parents' positive relationship with children. They are key issues for children's well-being. Still, it is important to also tell about a loving God, to whom the child can tell his worries. Today's world is in many respects an unsafe world, where a child can experience disappointment and fear, but the knowledge of the existence of a caring God is a good help when facing disappointments. The child himself can turn to the good shepherd Jesus Christ and his Father.

- (John 10:10,11) The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

- (Matt 11:28-30) Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

REFERENCES:

1. Andrew Sims: Is Faith Delusional? Why Religion is Good For Your Health, London, Continuum, 2009

2. Sama, p. 100

3. Nicholas Beale / sir John Polkinghorne: Questions of Truth, Westminster, John Knox Press, 2009

4. Saara Karppinen: Ahtaasta uskosta avarammalle, p. 17

5. Dwight L. Moody – elämäkerta

6. Martin Ski: T.B. Barratt - Helluntaiapostoli, p. 108-110

7. Charles G. Finney: Ihmeellisiä herätyksiä, p. 309,310

8. Sven Reichmann: Vapauteen kutsutut (Kallad till frihet), p.64,69

9. Kris Vallotton & Bill Johnson: Elämä kuninkaan perheessä (Supernatural Ways of Royalty), p. 42,43

10. Corrie Ten Boom: Lyöty vihollinen, p. 11,12

11. Mark Driscoll: Kuka ajattelet olevasi (Who do you think you are?), p.  16,17

12. Joseph Prince: Anna armolle mahdollisuus, (Destined To Reign), p. 9,10

13. Jack Frost: Tie Isän syliin (Experiencing Father’s Embrace), p. 31-33

14. David A. Seamands: Kristitty ja tunteet, s, 112

15. Charles G. Finney: Ihmeelisiä herätyksiä, p. 89-91

16. Ritva ja Kristian Sand: Isän sylissä, p. 85

17. Tim LaHaye: Vapaaksi masennuksesta (How to win over depression), p. 162,163

18. Derek Prince: He karkottavat demoneja (They Shall Expel Demons), p. 32,33

19. Madame Guyon: Syvempään Jumalan tuntemiseen (Moyen court et tres-facile de faire oraison), p. 63,64

20. Watchman Nee: Hengen vapautus (The Release of the Spirit), p. 22,23

21. Ritva ja Kristian Sand: Isän sylissä, p. 29,30

22. John Wimber, Kevin Springer: Ihmeet ja merkit (Power Evangelism), p. 60

23. Ultra 12/93, Rita Castren

24. John R. Keel: "UFOs: operation Trojan horse", p. 220. Sit. kuitenkin kirjasta "Rajan taakse ja takaisin", Maurice Rawlings, p. 203

25. Andrew Comiskey: Täyteen miehuuteen ja koko naiseksi, p. 131

26. Mario Berger: Rakkauden uusi suunta (Setting Love in Order), p. 25,59,100

27. Leanne Payne: Särkynyt minäkuva (The Broken Image), p. 111,112

28. Andrew Comiskey: Täyteen miehuuteen ja koko naiseksi, p. 132

29. Edwin Louis Cole: Miehuuden haaste, p. 104