Depression: One of the Many Sins the Church Tolerates.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).

There has been much talk about depression, anxiety, and, sadly, acceptance of these sins by the church.

Is it real?

Absolutely. I have been in a state of depression, I wrote about it in my book and in my husband’s book. I sought treatment and I indeed had a MEDICAL issue that needed to be corrected. NOT a psychological disorder – which is just a Spiritual issue misspelled.

It is real.

I see it on a daily basis. People who don’t know Jesus are depressed when their lives go awry – they have no hope… How can they? They don’t know Jesus! It is the very reason we will not, for one single moment, deviate from the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our ministry!

But living in a state of depression? Removing your sense of responsibility by giving it the title of “disorder” or disease, like cancer? And then professing Christianity?

No, that is a sin!

Depression is the depressed, hopeless person’s faith in their own desperation. The assurance, the conviction of their displaced hope…. That lies within themselves.

It is a flat-out denial of the power of the Holy Spirit – and that, my friend, is blaspheme.

The Bible declares Blaspheme to be unforgivable.

Depression is the outward expression of the inward feelings of what the person believes about themselves and the world around them.

What it is NOT, is a person who has the mind of Christ:

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped…” (Phil 2:5-6).

Claiming Depression as a disorder is nothing more than declaring yourself the god of your own hopelessness.  

No hope. Utter despair… and you get to be god of your domain.

“Nobody understands me!”

It is a person saying, “I am the most important person in the world. My feelings matter more than anyone else…”

And when that does not produce the desired result… We get the ultimate form of depression – “I will show you! I will make you live with this for the rest of your life! You will miss me! You will wish you did more! Now you will know how I feel…”

They declare that they are the god of their life and once and for all – “I’m going to ruin your life”.. and with one fatal shot, a gruesome hanging, or they simply don’t wake up from their slumber… And they will usually choose a place where they are sure to be found by the one person they really want to hurt – that is if they don’t do it in front of them… or the kids they claim to be “training up in the way they should go…”

Suicide: The ultimate pity party.

What sickens me is when, at the funeral, they want to expound on what a “good Christian” they were…

Do not spit on the Cross of Christ!

No. Depression is behavior unbecoming a disciple of Christ. And rather than be tolerated – and in some cases – celebrated – it is to be rebuked and condemned!

Depression is the product of anxiety. What is the Bible’s command regarding being anxious?

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS (Phil 4:6).

It is a reminder that God alone is sovereign and that He alone gets the victory and He gets to make the rules as to how that plays out (Pr 21:31).

As a matter of fact, IN CONTEXT – Phil 4:13 is all about not being anxious, depressed, or self-centered in your thoughts and behaviors – because of your circumstances. And you can only overcome circumstances through the strength supplied ONLY through Christ.

“…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil. 11-13).

God “shares His glory with no one” (Is. 42:8).

Not even you – or your filthy rags (Is. 64:6).

Nowhere in the Bible is the Christian commanded to display such an utter lack of faith. Instead, a Christian is a warrior of Christ’s army (Ps 144:1; Eph 6:11) who is called – Commanded to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim 6:12).  

You cannot do that when you are totally absorbed and consumed by yourself and/or your circumstances.

That is what we call being a victim. But Christians are more than conquerors through Christ (Rom 8:37).

No. You are no victim.

But I doubt you are a Christian, either.

There has only been one victim in the world’s history – His name is Jesus, and He did it voluntarily.

You, claiming the banner of Christ waives valiantly over your head, all while swearing allegiance to your depression – are nothing more than a wretched sinner who has the appearance of godliness but denies its power…”

You are to be avoided at all costs! (2 Tim 3:5).

 New creation? The old has passed away? Walk worthy of the call to which you have been called? (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 4:22-24, Rom 6:4, 6:6; John 3:3, 6; acts 2:38….).

Wake up and get over yourself.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

The only calling that you, “suffering with depression,” are walking is one of a dead sinner, stuck in his sin … and loving every single minute of the attention and approval you are seeking from men.

As I went through graduate school, earning my Master’s in Psychology at a “Christian” university, mind you – I argued with this false doctrine on many occasions – Usually with the chief sinner in charge of the class.

So much for a “Christian” education!

Nevertheless, this false doctrine has become the norm of the modern-day church, along with many other psychological “disorders” that the church has openly joined in fellowship with – even though the Bible is clear that we are called to be holy (set apart, 1 Pt 1:15-16) and not to be unequally yoked (2 Cor 6:14).

The Bible says we are not to be conformed to this world!  We are to change the way we think (Rom 12:2).

We are not to be consumed by it!

“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD” (Psalm 112:7, ESV)

The Bible tells us that our ways are not His ways (Is. 55:8-9). We are to trust in Him (Ps 62:8) because we cannot trust in our own hearts; they are deceitfully wicked (Jer 17:9-10).

So, stop with the drama.

It is not about you. It is all about Jesus. And He will not be mocked.

“Sometimes God chooses to bless us and make us people of integrity in the midst of abominable circumstances, rather than change our circumstances.” (Carson, 1998).

A depressed man has lost the fight with integrity.

“You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruit” (Matt 7:16-20).

It only takes a minimal stroll through the “depressed” Christian’s social media pages to see their fruit… They want you to see a vine of the tree of truth, bearing diseased fruit.

And then say, but it’s ok… I have an APA-diagnosed disorder.

That is, in fact, it is a false gospel, and the Bible declares it is accursed!  

What you will see are pictures of themselves over and over and over again – With pathetic calls for prayers of the Saints…

“Oh poor, poor, pitiful, me….”

Save it.

The only thing you are doing is leading people astray –

And for that, I DO pity you!

Woe to you, you whitewashed tomb! … and I can assure you, It will be better for you to have a millstone tied around your neck…

“For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, He swore by Himself… an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath… SO THAT THOSE… We who have fled for refuge might have STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT TO HOLD FAST TO THE HOPE SET BEFORE US. WE HAVE THIS AS A SURE AND STEADFAST ANCHOR OF THE SOUL…” (Heb. 6:13-20).

If the Bible is the true, infallible word of God, and He is indeed unchangeable and cannot lie – then how is it possible for the Spirit of God, living within us (2 Tim 1:6), to deny the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul?”

He cannot.

“He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim 2:13).

A person who declares himself a victim… Who has found his own form of victory in the APA diagnosis of depressive disorder is void of the Spirit who guarantees our hope. For it is the Spirit of God Almighty, who promises (swears an oath by Himself) that the believer does not have a spirit of fear and timidity, but rather power, love, and self-discipline (2 Tim. 1:7).

The depressed victim has no power of the Spirit dwelling in him.

None.

Nadda.

The Bible promises that the Christian has unlimited, powerful resources for every circumstance (Lk 12:11-12; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:26).

But rather than “fan the flames” by walking in the Spirit, the depressed man has chosen to deny the power (blaspheme) and walk in darkness.

Why?

Because you love your sin – and the attention it receives – more than you love the Jesus you claim to serve.  

Depression makes you feel “special.”

Jesus told us that we will know our fellow brothers and sisters by their fruit.

I see your fruit.

You are a liar. And the ax is laid at the root of the tree… (Matt 3:10).

We live in a world that is literally going to hell. We do not need any more people telling them “It’s not your fault.”

We cannot allow any more false teachers, let alone false converts – usually holding highly regarded, “double portion,” positions within the Bride of Christ.

Becoming depressed is a natural part of life – Living in depression and allowing it to claim victory over a professing Christian’s life is blaspheme.

It cannot be tolerated. It must be vehemently condemned.

So, I suggest you take the banner of Christ and remove it from your midst until you repent. Set yourself right with God through the blood of Jesus and surrender your entire life to His mission.

Make clean the outside of the cup and platter—make it as clean as you can, but take care also that the inward is made clean. Look to that first. Ask yourself such questions as these—“Have I been born again? Am I passed from darkness to light? Have I been brought out of the realms of Satan into the kingdom of God’s dear Son? Do I live by private communion near to the side of Jesus?” (Spurgeon).

Holly T. Ashley is a domestic/sexual assault advocate, speaker, published researcher, and author. She holds a Master’s degree in forensic psychology and is the Executive Director of Redemption. Restoration. Recovery. A Christ-centered, biblically based, non-profit organization. A subsidiary of Cross Strength Ministries and is under the authority of her husband, Pastor David Ashley, MAA, MDiv.