The medical profession is awash in diagnoses where the last word in the phrase is “syndrome” or “disorder”. New terms and categories are being created rapidly so that, once identified, a treatment plan (frequently involving medications) can be developed and implement.
Many seasoned ministers and counselors in the Body of Christ contend that syndromes and disorders are spiritual afflictions that spiritual solutions more so than medication.
We’re not going to bog down in medical jargon, but understanding the terminology is important. The terms “syndrome” (a set of symptoms occurring together) or “disorder” (a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning) typically share at least one attribute: the cause is unknown!
Do your own research, and you will find this to be true. In many cases, there is no (effective) treatment and medication prescription to address the symptoms is the typical response.
Henry Wright, in his groundbreaking book, “A More Excellent Way to Be in Health”, asserts that these are primarily spiritual issues that medicine does not have answers for. The best hope for those afflicted is the word and power of God!
Demonic spirits seek to kill, steal and destroy. Some sicknesses are caused by viruses, infections and other physical enemies. Could demonic spirits be the source of some of these sicknesses we try to fight with medication? That would help explain why the causes are unknown, wouldn’t it?
Spirits of fear, for example, can open the door for infirmity spirits that lead to sicknesses such as Anxiety Disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, GERD (while called a disease it is classified as a disorder) or others.
The lexicon of names for syndromes and disorders is expanding by leaps and bounds and is also a moving target. Until 1973, the American Psychiatric Association categorized homosexuality as a mental disorder. There are disorders and groups of disorders with sub-groupings under them. I tried to find a current study that gave a number count, but was unsuccessful.
Why is this distinction for syndromes and disorders important?
God uses doctors and modern medicine to bring healing to people and we are blessed in so many ways by advances in vaccines, antibiotics and other medications that lead to wholeness. The track record of success with psychotropic medications to address fear, depression, anger and many mental illnesses is mixed at best and even the secular world knows tha. However, if the root of the problem is spiritual, we believe it needs a spiritual solution.
When sick people came or were brought to Jesus, he healed them directly (Mark 5:34, Mark 10:52) or cast out the spirit that was the source of their infirmity. Consider Luke 13:11: Jesus ministered to a woman who was crippled by a spirit of infirmity. Her healing came when the spirit left her, and the same can still be true today! If there is a spirit behind the sickness, it must be cast out.
Believers of Christ have been given authority to lay hands on sick people to heal them and also to drive out demons! In the words of the late John Wimber, “let’s do the stuff”. If a diagnosed problem is truly spiritual in nature rather than medical/physiological, doesn’t it make sense to seek a spiritual solution?
If you have been diagnosed with a specific syndrome or disorder and are dissatisfied with the medical options, seek out a competent local counseling / deliverance ministry or consider contacting us.
What has been your experience in the world of syndromes and disorders? Have medications cured you or help you to cope? Do you think the problems could be spiritual?
Get all of our popular videos, podcasts, presentations, and guides in one place.