The Spirit is Willing

We hear a great deal about mental illness these days because of the isolation brought about by the measures used to control the spread of the corona virus.  As a Christian counsellor I have worked with some spirit-filled believers who had been diagnosed with one form of mental illness or another.  These forms of the illness can be managed with medication and counselling, but because they are physiological in nature, they need the healing power of Christ for complete victory.

There are other forms of what the medical field calls mental illness.  These have similar symptoms, but they are spiritual, mental, or emotional in nature, not physiological.  From a Christian perspective, I do not think of them as illnesses, but rather conditions of the soul.  We are all affected, in some measure, by these types of conditions.  As humans, we are created three-part beings: spirit, soul, and body (1Thess. 5:23).  Each of these parts has its own independent nature, but each is affected by the other.  Problems of the soul are not cases of the body affecting the soul, but vice versa.  Although medications can alleviate some of the symptoms, they can also hinder a person’s recovery because they mask the problem.  For troubles of the soul, what we need is to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Rom. 12:2).  This is the process of obeying the truth through the Spirit by faith (1Pe. 1:22).  It is a struggle that requires the “pulling down of strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2Cor. 10:4,5).

Whether the soul is being affected by the body, or the body by the soul, the way of victory is in our spirit.  When we believe unto salvation, our spirit is renewed and comes into communion with the Spirit of God.  The life of God flows from our spirit to our soul and our body.  Although our body may have weaknesses, even hereditary ones, these need not rule our natural life.  These weaknesses can be an opportunity for the life of God to be manifest in our mortal bodies (Rom. 8:10,11).  Let me give you an example in my own life.  A few years ago, I started to wake up on occasion because I would stop breathing.  I needed to sit up in bed to begin breathing again but as soon as I tried falling asleep, it would happen again.  It seemed apparent at the time that this was an allergic reaction to something in the air, so I tried using allergy medication.  It worked to prevent these episodes, but I did not like the side effects.  With the understanding that this was a physical problem, I started instead to take the medicine of the word (Prov. 4:22).  I would rebuke allergies as a curse of the law (Deut. 28:15) and look to the Lord for His peace to rule in my heart (Col. 3:15).  I have never had to take that medication again, but I still on occasion need to fight this battle.  This happens if I have been exposed to a high concentration of dust, or if I have been under a great deal of mental or emotional stress.  For either situation, the answer is still the authority and peace of Christ.  When I let the peace of Christ rule in my heart, I allow the life of God to flow from my spirit to my soul and body.

The example I have given above can apply to any physical weakness.  We can receive complete healing for our bodies, or we can stand in victory over these weaknesses by the grace of God, as we wait for healing.  Standing in victory is very beneficial to our soul.  “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast of my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2Cor. 12:9).

What about problems in our soul like anxieties or depression?  These will certainly affect our thinking and even our bodies.  The answer to our needs is still the grace of Christ, which is received by faith (Rom. 5:2).  The first step in overcoming these problems is to realize that we are walking in the flesh, not the spirit.  People do not readily want to receive that, but only the truth brings us freedom.  Examine the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians Chapter 5.  If you are not experiencing peace and joy, you are not walking in the Spirit by faith.  You may not be walking in outright sin, but you are not letting Christ be your life (Col. 3:1-3), which means you are giving in to the pride of life (self-preservation).  This may be the result of offenses or having been overcome by challenging situations in this world.  Do not give in to condemnation but rather look to Christ for salvation (deliverance, peace, and healing). 

After realizing that you are not walking in the Spirit, the next thing to realize is that your spirit is above your problems.  “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:41).  See yourself as a spirit being in Christ.  “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2).  Pray under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26,27).  Be ready to obey whatever the Spirit directs you to do.  Sometimes the cause of our walking out of step with the Spirit is pride as we have just discussed, but sometimes it is unconfessed sin.  It may also be unforgiveness.  Another cause of problems in the soul are lies from the enemy.  We must use the spiritual weapons to cast down these imaginations with the Word of God in prayer, confession, and worship. (2Cor. 10:3-5).

One way the enemy tries to keep us from the grace of God is to lie to us about the character of God.  We will not draw near to Him if we do not trust Him.  Instead of believing these lies, we should meditate and believe in the love that God has for us (1Jn. 4:9-19).  Even when we were sinners, He died for us (Rom. 5:8).  Remember that your spirit is willing to trust God, so even if your flesh is weak, look to God with your spirit.  Like the psalmist said, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” (Ps. 42:5).