Mind Warrior of Faith

Christian Faith and Spiritual Warfare with Mental Illness

Welcome to Mind Warrior of Faith, a blog about my Christian faith and spiritual warfare with mental illness. Check below for my most recent posts.

  • The Spiritual Dangers of (Worldly) Mental Health Practices

    As someone who has gone through a mental health program for psychosis, I can confidently say that so many of the techniques taught to patients are not Biblical. All of the techniques teach patients to either rely on themselves or to fixate their minds on their bodies or on the world, neither of which should be practiced by Christians. As believers, we ought to be relying on Christ, not ourselves, since we are flawed, whereas Christ is perfect. We also should not occupy our minds with the world, but direct our minds into loving the Lord completely and giving ourselves to Him.

    Remember, we Christians are in a spiritual war. God surely has the victory in the war, but we must allow Him to grant us victory in the battles. His word tells us what we must do to get those victories for God’s glory. To better understand the dangers of the worldly coping methods, you should first understand what God would have us to do. If you haven’t read my post on spiritual warfare and the armour of God, click here to read it.

    (Before reading further, are you born again? You can only have the peace of God once you are at peace with God. Click here to see what the Bible says about the only way to get saved. The following will be pointless to you if you are not truly saved.)

    The Worldly Methods

    Meditation

    There are different types of meditation that the world promotes. One of them is “emptying the mind.” Clearly, this goes against what we mentioned earlier (loving the Lord with all your mind). Adversarial spirits would love for you to empty your mind; without God in your mind, your empty mind is a vacuum. If God isn’t filling your mind, you can definitely bet spiritual wickedness will. In fact, Jesus warns that there will be even MORE evil spirits that would fill your mind.

    When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. (Matthew 12:43-45)

    Okay, so instead of emptying the mind, the world also promotes “mindfulness.” This meditation practice is also detracting from God. Mindfulness is focusing the mind on your thoughts and just acknowledging them. What’s wrong with this? First, you would be literally accepting whatever is attacking you, when the Bible instructs us to “resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Do you sense that an evil spirit is giving you thoughts of rage (or whatever evil comes to mind)? The mindfulness approach would have you say, “I have this evil thought. It’s okay though.” By not properly fighting the devil, you are allowing him to have a place in your mind, and you can definitely expect more of the same, or worsening, attacks.

    Second, mindfulness has you listening to your body. Now, don’t get me wrong. I understand there may be times when listening to your body is a good thing, notably if you feel physically unwell. Listening to your body in such situations could get you the medical treatment you need. However, the problem with listening to your body through mindfulness is that you are giving more attention to your body than the Lord. We should be “casting down” whatever is trying to replace God in our minds. Remember: after being born-again, we have the Holy Spirit in us, but we still have our physical bodies, referred to as the “flesh” in the Bible, which have the sinful nature of fallen mankind. Read what Paul wrote in Galatians 6:7-8 below:

    Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:7-8)

    Lastly, mindfulness meditation actually has spiritual roots in Hinduism and Buddhism. As you read the Bible and grow spiritually in Christ, you’ll come to know that true Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with the Lord, and that God actually hates religion. As Christians, we are not supposed to do pagan religious practices. Deuteronomy 12:30-31 reads:

    Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? Even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. (Deuteronomy 12:30-31)

    Grounding

    Grounding is the practice of focusing your mind on something immediate. Commonly suggested focus points are breathing patterns and what your five senses currently detect. Again, these are listening to your flesh and not to the spirit. If there’s any “grounding” to be done, we should be grounded in the spirit, not the flesh.

    Yoga

    Yoga is heavily promoted as exercise or stretching, so many think it is harmless. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I speak with a bit of personal experience; at the request of my mother, I demonstrated a yoga pose that an email mentioned to her. Although nothing happened to me then, I tried the pose a second time in private and experienced a burning feeling on my back. Yoga is connected to Hinduism, and yogis have said that yoga cannot be separated from Hinduism. We’ve already discussed how Christians should not be involved in pagan religions. Yoga will open you up to demonic attacks from entities like the Kundalini spirit, which can afflict you with psychosis.

    Reiki / Tai Chi / Qi Gong

    Reiki, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong are Asian practices that revolve around the idea of channeling or focusing “life energy” to assist in healing. Whether you view this as a reliance on a “universal energy” or on one’s own abilities, this is to be avoided. Depending on the creation and not the Creator is despising the Creator and His ability to heal you. Leaning on one’s own abilities is definitely not Christian-oriented, as that is replacing the Lord in your mind with yourself. Remember the devil’s thoughts in Isaiah 14:13-14? Or what he said to Eve in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:4-5?

    For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:13-14)

    And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:4-5)

    Tai Chi and Qi Gong in particular also have the practitioner focusing his or her mind on posture, slow body movements, and breathing. Again, Christians should be dedicating their minds to God and not be focused on oneself.

    These are the techniques that my former therapist has suggested to me. A common theme behind all of the techniques though is that they focus on what YOU can do. A common theme in the Bible is that we as human beings are flawed and therefore need to TRUST IN GOD. We ought to rely on Him, not on ourselves.

    And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6)

    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

  • An Intro to Spiritual Warfare

    If you, or someone you know, has strong beliefs that they are under spiritual attack from devils, demons, and evil spirits, you’re not alone. The Bible describes the life of a Christian as spiritual warfare. All Christians are fighting this war. Thankfully, Christians are promised the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ. If you’re not born again, click here to read the gospel and get saved; without Jesus Christ as your Saviour, there is no victory for you.

    But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

    The Armour of God

    In spiritual warfare, we will fail if we rely on ourselves. We need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ as our spiritual armour in order to triumph.

    Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:10-18)

    There are some things to note in the above passage from Ephesians. First, note that the only part of the armour of God which is offensive and not defensive is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Without the word of God, you literally do not have a fighting chance. When Jesus himself was tempted in the wilderness by the devil, he responded to each of the devil’s temptations by quoting the scriptures. This is one of the many reasons why having a perfect Bible is important: would you like to bring a knife, or even a rubber knife, to a swordfight? Or would you rather have the true word of God, which is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword” (Hebrews 4:12)?

    Second, note that you are instructed to take “above all” the “shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Faith is of great importance to God. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” This shows the importance of reading the Bible for spiritual warfare: it serves as your sword, and it bolsters your spiritual shield. As an experienced brother in Christ told me, there’s a difference between optimism and faith. Optimism is wishful thinking, but faith is believing God’s words.

    The “sword” and the “shield” stand out to me, but we must not neglect the other components of the armour, as we are instructed to put on the “whole armour.” In the Bible, the spiritual “loins” do not refer to a part of the body, but to the mind. The mind is to be supported by truth. Jesus called himself “the truth” in John 14:6. Your mind needs to be Christ-centered, especially when demonic attacks come; Jesus labels the devil as “a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44) The truth always overcomes the lies.

    The breastplate of righteousness is also critical, as it protects the heart. In Genesis 6:5, the Bible reveals that thoughts come from the heart. Proverbs 4:23 reads, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” It is imperative that you do not rely on your own righteousness. Isaiah 64:6 says that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” The righteousness that you need is that of the Lord Jesus Christ. He imputes His righteousness to those who have been born again.

    And being not weak in faith, he [Abraham] considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:19-25)

    Do not forget the “helmet of salvation.” The helmet protects the head, and when demonic attacks come, they will target your head. When God cursed the serpent in the Garden of Eden, he said that the seed of the woman (Jesus) would bruise the serpent’s head, but that the serpent would only bruise his heel. The devils hate that, which is why they will target your mind. If they get you to doubt your salvation in Christ, then you’re in grave danger. To put the helmet on, you have to not just remind yourself that you are saved, but also what was done for your salvation. I admit, I have spent many days continuously saying to myself, “I’m saved by God’s grace,” but even with verses backing up this Biblical truth, I often failed to remind myself about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Remind yourself at least on a daily basis.

    The “preparation of the gospel of peace” is probably the easiest to neglect, but it is also quite easy to put on. Christ commissioned us to “preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) You have to “be instant in season, out of season.” (2 Timothy 4:2) In other words, be ready to give the gospel to anyone. If you don’t feel confident enough to verbally talk about the gospel, then you can start with gospel tracts. Even leaving tracts where they can be picked up will be better than withholding the gospel.

    Power of Prayer

    Also note that “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” is the action mentioned after equipping yourself. This is how you are to fight: equip yourself, and pray. Note also that you are told to be “praying always,” so make it habitual.

    For those new to the faith: yes, you can make the same request in multiple prayer times, and in fact this is something Jesus preaches in Luke 18:1-8:

    And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:1-8)

    It is important that you pray scripturally. What do I mean by that? It’s simple: pray as though you are talking with God. Prayer should NOT be vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7), like the Catholic rosary prayers. Mention in your prayer what you want God to do. (Of course, I’m assuming you want deliverance from demonic attacks if you’re reading this. Asking the Lord for intervention is something I definitely believe He wants to answer, as He is “not the author of confusion, but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) Obviously, if you ask for something that contradicts His will, don’t expect your request to be fulfilled.)

    Also, make note of any promises that you notice from the Bible. When you pray, quote those verses back to the Lord. The Lord cannot lie (Titus 1:2), so He will uphold His promises. Plus, He magnifies his word above His own name (Psalms 138:2), so by bringing scripture to God in prayer, you are showing that you have been esteeming His word also. Appeal to His glory and reputation, like how Moses did and was able to change His mind:

    And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? And how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they. And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;) And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness. And not, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. (Numbers 14:11-21)

    Remember: we are in a spiritual war. You may feel overwhelmed at times, but keep in mind that Jesus has the victory. Stay strong in the faith, and He will not disappoint you.

    For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. (Proverbs 24:16)