Does God save people who develop Alzheimer’s?

Question: Dear Brother Hamilton, My sister has a friend who has been a lesbian all her adult life. This friend now has Alzheimer’s. Will she now be saved because she can no longer decide to follow Christ? I’m wondering who qualifies as the mentally ill who will be saved. Answer: You are ignoring the fact…

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Genetic Link Between Marijuana Use and Psychiatric Disorders

Source: “Shared Genetics for Cannabis Use and Psychiatric Disorders,” Neuroscience News, 21 May 2023. “Researchers discovered shared genetic underpinnings for cannabis use and psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.” “Some genetic variants can have opposing effects – increasing risk of cannabis use while decreasing the risk of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.” “These findings may…

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Insecurity

by Matthew W. Bassford The other night, I dreamed about my high-school crush. This was strange; I haven’t had any contact with her for a quarter century. Perhaps my life is passing before my eyes in slow motion. It did remind me, though, of the way things went with her. She was interested in me…

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Can a narcissist make it to heaven?

Question: Can a narcissist make it to heaven after they die? I read that they lack the empathy and love that God expects from us. It’s also proven to be a mental illness for which there is no cure, therefore no true repentance can take place. But God says all sins are forgiven except for…

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Is the Bible not recommended for mental health?

Question: Greetings, I was told by a psychologist the Word of God (the Bible) is not recommended for mental health. If this is not true, may I please have some biblical evidence please? Answer: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according…

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The Link Between Depression and Serotonin Questioned

Source: Joanna Moncrieff and Mark Horowitz, “Depression is probably not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain – new study,” The Conversation, 20 July 2022. [I’m posting this to demonstrate that even in areas where people have been certain of the answers, they find that things are not always as they seem to be -…

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Would God throw me away because I’m mentally disabled?

Question: I am disabled (Autism, SchizoAffective, and BiPolar Type 2) and on disability. Does that mean God isn’t pleased with me? I know the verse “He who doesn’t work ought not eat”. I’ve been mulling this over a lot. My attitude toward it has been even though I don’t work to earn money if anyone…

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How can I go to church when I have a schizoaffective disorder?

Question: I found your website recently and have been uplifted by your responses to the questions under the mental health topic. So I decided to ask you one too. I have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. I’ve had severe symptoms for over ten years, starting at the age of 40. At the time that I…

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I suffer from mental illness. Was my baptism legitimate?

Question: Much love to the Brethren at La Vista and to you brother. You heard from me a few years ago. My situation is much better than before, but I still have struggles and questions. I suffer from Autism, SchizoAffective, and BiPolar Type 2. Recently, I was rebaptized as I felt like it was needed…

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How do I help a mentally ill parent?

Question: Hello, Thank you for all of the work that you do to inform people about what the Bible has to say about various matters. I need some help trying to understand my role in a situation dealing with my mother. I have a 70-year-old mother who is physically disabled (she has all of her…

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Do I have to keep vows that I make because of my compulsive disorder?

Question: Hi, I would first like to mention that I often struggle with compulsive or intrusive thoughts. An issue that I’ve particularly been dealing with is a compulsion to condemn myself by making “deals” with God. These thoughts would often range from “If I do (random activity), then God please to that”. Recently I was…

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Is Satan behind mental illnesses?

Questions: Hello, I was flipping through the pages of a small book filled with handwritten verses loved ones made for me when I was in the psychiatric hospital. I still read through it from time to time, and tonight I found a small piece of paper tucked in a hard-to-notice spot. It’s in my mom’s…

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Inconsistent Treatment of Transgenderism

Source: Michelle Cretella, “I’m a Pediatrician. Here’s What I Did When a Little Boy Patient Said He Was a Girl.” The Daily Signal, 11 December 2017. “Biological sex is not assigned. Sex is determined at conception by our DNA and is stamped into every cell of our bodies. Human sexuality is binary. You either have a…

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I put a lot of pressure on myself

Question: I put a lot of pressure on myself to do things right. I sometimes think of rules that sound plausible, and because they sound plausible I follow them. As an example the “Bible says to be responsible with money, so you can’t buy anything that’s unnecessary.” This causes a lot of anxiety and makes…

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God doesn’t want me

Question: Hello, I had romantic feelings for a woman who goes to the same church as I do.   She used to work where I do and I talked to her every day. But then she got fired and she moved away for several months. Recently, she moved back. I wrote her a letter expressing…

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Should I see a doctor about my OCD?

Question: Hello, This whole year has been quite a nightmare. At the beginning of this year, I started to realize how I wasn’t living the right way. I wanted to start making changes in my life and be a better Christian. In hindsight, I went about it the wrong way. I was trying to “be…

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Does my anxiety mean I don’t have a relationship with Jesus?

Question: I have been diagnosed with clinical anxiety. I have been anxious all my life but recently it became extreme to the point of shaking and freezing. I am always asking the question “What if and what will thus be the result of it.” I am very involved in several activities at the Lord’s church…

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I’m so lonely that I look at pornography at times

Question: Hi! You have a great site. I’ve used it many times over the years, and I’ve listened to the sermons. Two questions: I have a problem. I don’t feel lust, but I end up looking at women on sites — usually those with clothes on. I think it comes from loneliness and wanting to…

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How do I stop compulsive handwashing?

Question: I am suffering from a problem of excessive hand washing. I wash my hands for hours after using the toilet or touching private parts.  I fear touching things which I touched earlier with dirty hands and wash and rub my body again and again after having sex. I’m not bothered about about germs, but I…

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Overcoming Emotional Problems

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/OvercomingEmotionalProblems.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 4:4-9   I.         It is a simple idea; so simple, you probably think it is obvious. Yet, the ramifications are far reaching.             A.        How we think influences our emotions                         1.         It is profound because the world sees it the other way around.                         2.         In the world emotions dictates behavior and thought.             B.        Anxiety…

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Marijuana and Mental Illness

Source: Alex Berenson, “Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence,” Imprimis, vol. 48, no. 1, Jan 2019 “They’ve told you marijuana has many different medical uses. In reality marijuana and THC, its active ingredient, have been shown to work only in a few narrow conditions. They are most commonly prescribed for pain relief. But they are rarely tested…

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Why doesn’t God give me my sanity back?

Question: I became a member of the Lord’s church back when I was 14, and I was faithful until mental illness struck me when I was 16. I tried to live faithfully, but I started feeling that I was never good enough for God.  At times I would purposefully do the wrong things because I…

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Can I treat promises I fear as void and non-binding?

Question: Hello again! I’ve been wondering: since I suffer from OCD, then are all my promises, which I’m struggling to avoid, nullified the very moment I make them? The problem is that I’m having trouble knowing when my OCD mind is playing games with me or when it’s really me making these promises. I’ve read…

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I’ve suffered from OCD too

Question: I was searching for answers to my mental condition, and I came across your site. I read the story of a person who was worried about a certain problem. I’ve suffered the same thing since 2007. I’ve been on medication since then. The medication does help, but it’s not a cure for OCD thoughts,…

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I have had guilt since I let an escort do oral sex on me

Question: Hello, The other day I spent the night with an escort but did not have sex. I am still a virgin in my 30’s. I did, however, receive protected oral sex for several minutes. Since then I have had immense guilt over it. I have had depression since I was a teenager and have…

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I compulsively wash my hands

Question: Hi, I am a very strong believer in Christ. He has my whole heart and soul. I have very strong faith in Him. I have seen miracles that He performs. I have severe OCD. It happens when I read the Bible, take communion, fast, and prayer. I get all these twisted thoughts in my…

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How do I make good choices when I am bipolar?

Question: Hi, I do try to be a Christian, but I slip up a lot. My fellow brothers and sisters know I’ve been battling alcohol for a while and battling bipolar too. I don’t want to sin, but I slip up drinking, thinking it would help me with my bipolar. I get tired of my…

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Is God telling me to kill everyone around me?

Question: I am really struggling with worry. My biggest worry in life is ending up in hell. I read lots of questions and answers on your site, and it makes me more worried than ever. I wish I knew what the to-do list was for each day. So as long as somebody follows the to-do…

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I’m not sure if my thoughts are sin

Question: I saw a website that makes going to heaven seem really difficult. I have religious OCD and I get blasphemous thoughts constantly and repent all day long. Some of the thoughts feel like I want them. What should I do? If I’m not sure if my thoughts are really sins, so I ignore them,…

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I don’t know if these thoughts are God’s or not

Question: I need an answer. I’m bipolar, and I have all kinds of thoughts and feelings. I don’t know if it’s God or not. I argue with my husband a lot about this. Answer: “”For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8). Just because you…

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Should I take medication for my bipolar disorder?

Question: Greetings Brother, I have been reading your site for some months since I was investigating the church of Christ, and I was baptized about six months ago. Your articles on marijuana and drinking have been a great encouragement to me and have helped me walk my thoughts through the Scriptures in making some decisions.…

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Are vows made because of OCD compulsions to be kept?

Question: Hello, I have a question about OCD and the Bible. I have been a member of the church of Christ for about five years. I have been diagnosed with OCD and most of my issues revolve around my faith. I went for a few years undiagnosed and untreated because I didn’t know what was…

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Thank you for your article on religious obsessive-compulsive disorders

Question: Hello, I would just like to thank you for your article on religious obsessive-compulsive disorders that I just stumbled upon. For years I have been suffering from this condition without realizing that it was a real condition, and thinking that I was the only person who had some of the thoughts you listed. I couldn’t…

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Are you required to keep promises that you think about?

Question: Hi, I’m wondering if promises that randomly pop up in your head are considered valid. Are you required to keep the promises, even though they’re just thoughts? I have OCD and get these thoughts constantly. They cause me a deal of anxiety. Also, in order to treat OCD, am I allowed to purposefully think…

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How can I avoid panic attacks?

Question: I have recently read the thread on your page about OCD-religion and have a few questions. I have recently developed this disorder. Though never diagnosed, I’ve struggled my whole life with anxiety. I grew up a Christian (saved at a very young age) and attended a Christian school where I was taught God’s Word daily. I…

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