The Spiritual Battle Of Depression - The Silent Killer

Depression is such a heavy subject, and there are so many facets to the issue. In expounding on this topic, I found I had so much inspiration coming to me on this subject, that it is necessary to break this up into several articles.

Depression is known as the “silent killer” of mankind, and the reason it is known as such is because it kills internally by attacking the heart. When I make reference to the heart at this time, I’m referring to the seat of our emotions and intellect, which is referred to biblically as the heart. I’m referring to the mind, which is the “heart” of man. But when that heart is attacked and overcome, it can also lead to stress on the physical heart as well.

Depression happens when our hearts get overwhelmed. This can happen in several different ways, but all of them lead back to the same universal problem. We can be emotionally overwhelmed, and our emotions, if unchecked will overwhelm our intellect, and result in bad decisions.

Depression is about three main issues. All other issues fall in sub-categories under these three, but are important because they are equal contributors to the overall scope of these issues. The first issue is perspective, and this issue dramatically affects outcomes. The second issue is faith. The third issue is control.

In looking at this, we see the number 3, and this number will come up frequently. I’m pointing it out now, because it is the number of God. I also want to note that the enemy, being the great counterfeiter that he is, will move in threes, but the purpose for him is to create confusion.

The last time I made mention of something like this regarding numbers and God, I got a very negative reaction from an individual who considered himself to be “learned,” by measure of his time in seminary and theological institutions. I have no claim to any such education. My understanding comes via God, and what He shows me through personal study and experience.

Therefore, I try to keep my eyes, ears and heart open to hear from God, and I don’t claim to be an expert on anything. My claim is that I’m a believer that studies scripture with the purpose of hearing from God, and gaining greater understanding. I don’t rely solely upon any “man of God,” to tell me what scripture is or means. I search it out for myself, because it is my responsibility to do so. I am accountable to God for my time here on earth and what I do with it, so I prefer to utilize the manual provided to navigate the best path and use of my life and purpose.

That being said, I have seen evidence of God in the number 3, and his movement and patterns in the number 3. God is a trinity; a three part, but unified entity. Christ started his ministry at 30, which is 3 x 10(the number of completion), and His ministry lasted 3 years. Then He died and rose 3 days later. The number 3 is the number of confirmation.

I’ve also found that the number of the Spirit is 4 or more specifically, 40. Christ was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days, and the enemy-the great counterfeiter, attacked him in 3 ways. Why? Literally, the purpose was to pull Him off of His high throne. This ought to catch the attention of anyone who focuses on God and scripture, because it should be a signal as to how the enemy pulls a believer out of the spirit (or off their proverbial “high horse”) and into the flesh.

Therefore, the enemy counteracts God in every way, and subsequently uses a 3-fold attack to affect us and our wellbeing, causing an avalanche effect with the three issues that can potentially spin us into a depression. These three, perspective, faith, and control, I will individually break down and explain.

However, you must first know that the enemy has a vision, mission, and goal. In other words, he’s organized. There’s an attack methodology, a purpose, and an outcome that he seeks, but there is also a way to overcome it all. First, let’s look at his vision, mission and goal, and then we will examine how he attacks to fulfill those purposes.

In order to see the enemy’s vision we need to visit several places in scripture. This information is taken from a portion of the subject of my upcoming book, “In His Image.”

We have to go to the end to see the beginning, and I explain this more thoroughly in the book. For now, however, and in consideration of time, we are going to skip the full history and jump forward to a specific time in the story to see the intent of the heart.

Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Isa 14:13 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:
Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Isa 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Verse 12 gives a synopsis of the history that brought forth the vision, mission and goal of the enemy. Satan’s vision is found in verses 13-14, and gives the reason for this history lesson: a god complex or lack of humility. This also gives a demonstration of those who are vain-glorious enough to be “self-anointed,” and “self-appointed.” Verse 15 indicates what happens to those caught up in this sin of self-idolization or self-sufficiency, which is the result of self directed effort, which I expound upon further in the book.

So how does all of this relate to depression? Be patient. I will tie this together in the next few segments.