Joyce Meyer, OCD and the Bible

[Faith1960]

I’ve gotten into the habit of watching Joyce Meyer most evenings. I know she’s not Catholic, but I find some of her talks pretty interesting.

I have OCD and tonight Meyer was talking about OCD, saying that mental health experts encourage patients to practice Exposier and Response Therapy, learning to control your behavior and your thoughts will follow.
Meyer pointed to her Bible and said that God’s Word says the opposite, that we need to get control of our thoughts and change in our behavior will follow.

Do mental health experts recommend therapy which contradicts His Word?
She did recommend seeing a doctor for OCD, so there’s that.

 

[Catholic_Wife]

To my knowledge, Joyce Meyer is not a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed therapist, licensed social worker, etc. Her talks/sermons are typical of the evangelical trend of taking selected passages from the Bible out of context and twisting them to fit their agenda. Many of these “name it and claim it” televangelists also believe that illnesses such as anxiety and depression are just “thoughts” and not true medical conditions, and that those with anxiety, depression or other mental health issues just don’t have enough faith.

I can tell you from personal experience that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help decrease anxiety dramatically. Exposure and Response Prevention is a form of CBT, so I would imagine it would work just as well for OCD. Honestly, I would trust those who have studied and successfully used ERP in practice instead of a televangelist on this matter.

 

[pwlj_christ87]

i have suffered various mental problems over the past 7 or 8 years now and I can honeslty say that reaching out to god , inviting jesus and praying for the holy spirit he can work a miricale in you… he did for me, that being said i still have professionals to help me and there is nothing wrong with that for our bodies are complex things and some lack various components so to speak while others do not, but … through the eucharist and sharing in Jesus’ divinity, my peace that i am a citizen of heaven, the fruits of the spirit are nothing but blessings and I encourage all who read this to take part!

 

[Faith1960]

To my knowledge, Joyce Meyer is not a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed therapist, licensed social worker, etc. Her talks/sermons are typical of the evangelical trend of taking selected passages from the Bible out of context and twisting them to fit their agenda. Many of these “name it and claim it” televangelists also believe that illnesses such as anxiety and depression are just “thoughts” and not true medical conditions, and that those with anxiety, depression or other mental health issues just don’t have enough faith.

I can tell you from personal experience that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help decrease anxiety dramatically. Exposure and Response Prevention is a form of CBT, so I would imagine it would work just as well for OCD. Honestly, I would trust those who have studied and successfully used ERP in practice instead of a televangelist on this matter.

I have a psychiatrist whom I really like a lot. My main concern with what Joyce Meyer said tonight was if the Bible contradicts current, up-to-date therapies?

 

[MJE]

I have a psychiatrist whom I really like a lot. My main concern with what Joyce Meyer said tonight was if the Bible contradicts current, up-to-date therapies?

And what scriptures, specifically?

 

[Catholic_Wife]

I have a psychiatrist whom I really like a lot. My main concern with what Joyce Meyer said tonight was if the Bible contradicts current, up-to-date therapies

?
I don’t think the Bible contradicts up-to-date therapies or vice versa. Without knowing exactly what Bible verses she quoted, I would say that modern therapy and Scripture complement rather than contradict each other.

 

[Faith1960]

And what scriptures, specifically?

I didn’t hear the whole thing. Not sure if she quoted Scripture or not, but she was saying that the Bible says we’re to change our thoughts and the change in our thoughts will affect our behavior. And she did, not surprisingly, suggest buying her books.

 

[Christine85]

I am not sure she has a right to say certain cbt therapies are wrong if they work then great. But what she proposes I believe is a way by intergrating the Bible.
Romans 12:2 says: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good acceptable and perfect.

Perhaps you can integrate bits of both or ask your psychologist?
At the end of the day we all must renew our minds as Christians.

God bless you

Bible verse taken from - openbible.info/topics/renewing_your_mind

 

[MaryT777]

To my knowledge, Joyce Meyer is not a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed therapist, licensed social worker, etc. Her talks/sermons are typical of the evangelical trend of taking selected passages from the Bible out of context and twisting them to fit their agenda. Many of these “name it and claim it” televangelists also believe that illnesses such as anxiety and depression are just “thoughts” and not true medical conditions, and that those with anxiety, depression or other mental health issues just don’t have enough faith.

I can tell you from personal experience that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help decrease anxiety dramatically. Exposure and Response Prevention is a form of CBT, so I would imagine it would work just as well for OCD. Honestly, I would trust those who have studied and successfully used ERP in practice instead of a televangelist on this matter.

Well said.

 

[LegoGE1947]

To my knowledge, Joyce Meyer is not a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed therapist, licensed social worker, etc. Her talks/sermons are typical of the evangelical trend of taking selected passages from the Bible out of context and twisting them to fit their agenda. Many of these “name it and claim it” televangelists also believe that illnesses such as anxiety and depression are just “thoughts” and not true medical conditions, and that those with anxiety, depression or other mental health issues just don’t have enough faith.

I can tell you from personal experience that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help decrease anxiety dramatically. Exposure and Response Prevention is a form of CBT, so I would imagine it would work just as well for OCD. Honestly, I would trust those who have studied and successfully used ERP in practice instead of a televangelist on this matter.

Many pastors I know of who are “fans” of these “name it/claim it” televangelists will discourage you from seeking professional help. One I know of essentially beat me over the head with Psalm 1 which begins “Blessed are those who do not walk in the counsel of the wicked”… meaning psychiatrists, clinical social workers, etc are “wicked” and we should not seek their counsel. He then proceeded to do an “exorcism” on me in front of an entire Sunday morning congregation, having me “chase the devil all over the room and yelling at him to get away from me.” This scenario left me worse than I was previous to this happening. So I’d advise you, based on experience, seek out a doctor if you feel this is needed, and forget those clowns on tv. (BTW the “name it/claim it” theology came from the early 20th century a preacher named E.W.Kenyon who had studied the works of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christ. Science, and he adapted it so people would think he was preaching some ancient Christian doctrine that he had just “rediscovered.”)

 

[Faith1960]

I am not sure she has a right to say certain cbt therapies are wrong if they work then great. But what she proposes I believe is a way by intergrating the Bible.
Romans 12:2 says: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good acceptable and perfect.

Perhaps you can integrate bits of both or ask your psychologist?
At the end of the day we all must renew our minds as Christians.

God bless you

Bible verse taken from - openbible.info/topics/renewing_your_mind

I don’t think she’s totally anti-psychology/psychiatry, she did suggest getting medical help if needed but what I’m wondering is, if the Bible tells us to change our thoughts and behavior will follow (not in those exact words), does the Bible and is God contradicting modern medical
beliefs or therapies?

 

[InLight247]

I don’t think she’s totally anti-psychology/psychiatry, she did suggest getting medical help if needed but what I’m wondering is, if the Bible tells us to change our thoughts and behavior will follow (not in those exact words), does the Bible and is God contradicting modern medical
beliefs or therapies?

The Bible talks about thoughts in many places. And our thoughts affect our behaviors for sure.
The following are a few quotes.

**Ezekiel 38:10 **
" 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme.

**Matthew 9:4 **
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?

**Matthew 15:19 **
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

**Mark 7:21 **
For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,

**Ephesians 2:3 **
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.

Bible has nothing contradicts with psychology or therapy. While our thoughts definitely steer our behavior, our behavior can also help modify our thoughts. This is not an issue of “either or”.

Joyce Myer is a decent preacher. I hope people don’t stigmatize all Protestant preachers as prosperity, name and claim preachers. My parish library has several of Joyce Myer’s books. Some of her moral teachings are very practical. For example, she said to follow Jesus by doing little things right. If you push a shopping cart to the parking lot, make sure walk a few extra steps to put it back to the cart rack, do not leave it wherever it is…… With my limited knowledge, I have a good impression on her.

 

[ccmcmg]

Many pastors I know of who are “fans” of these “name it/claim it” televangelists will discourage you from seeking professional help. One I know of essentially beat me over the head with Psalm 1 which begins “Blessed are those who do not walk in the counsel of the wicked”… meaning psychiatrists, clinical social workers, etc are “wicked” and we should not seek their counsel. He then proceeded to do an “exorcism” on me in front of an entire Sunday morning congregation, having me “chase the devil all over the room and yelling at him to get away from me.” This scenario left me worse than I was previous to this happening. So I’d advise you, based on experience, seek out a doctor if you feel this is needed, and forget those clowns on tv. (BTW the “name it/claim it” theology came from the early 20th century a preacher named E.W.Kenyon who had studied the works of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christ. Science, and he adapted it so people would think he was preaching some ancient Christian doctrine that he had just “rediscovered.”)

WOW. What ‘brand’ of religion was that in, that you were ‘exorcised’?

As for motivational speakers or religious pastors discounting modern medicine, especially in the use of mental illness…that’s not much different than Tom Cruise on the Today Show a few years ago (and that’s the reason I no longer watch Tom Cruise movies).

I don’t think the Bible contradicts up-to-date therapies or vice versa. Without knowing exactly what Bible verses she quoted, I would say that modern therapy and Scripture complement rather than contradict each other.

 

[Faith1960]

The Bible talks about thoughts in many places. And our thoughts affect our behaviors for sure.
The following are a few quotes.

Bible has nothing contradicts with psychology or therapy. While our thoughts definitely steer our behavior, our behavior can also help modify our thoughts. This is not an issue of “either or”.

Joyce Myer is a decent preacher. I hope people don’t stigmatize all Protestant preachers as prosperity, name and claim preachers. My parish library has several of Joyce Myer’s books. Some of her moral teachings are very practical. For example, she said to follow Jesus by doing little things right. If you push a shopping cart to the parking lot, make sure walk a few extra steps to put it back to the cart rack, do not leave it wherever it is…… With my limited knowledge, I have a good impression on her.

Thanks. Could some of you join us on Sacred Scripture, a thread called “demons ?”

 

[LegoGE1947]

WOW. What ‘brand’ of religion was that in, that you were ‘exorcised’?

As for motivational speakers or religious pastors discounting modern medicine, especially in the use of mental illness…that’s not much different than Tom Cruise on the Today Show a few years ago (and that’s the reason I no longer watch Tom Cruise movies).

The same “name it/claim it” brand we’ve been talking about since this thread opened.

 

[Meemai]

I’ve gotten into the habit of watching Joyce Meyer most evenings. I know she’s not Catholic, but I find some of her talks pretty interesting.

I have OCD and tonight Meyer was talking about OCD, saying that mental health experts encourage patients to practice Exposier and Response Therapy, learning to control your behavior and your thoughts will follow.
Meyer pointed to her Bible and said that God’s Word says the opposite, that we need to get control of our thoughts and change in our behavior will follow.

Do mental health experts recommend therapy which contradicts His Word?
She did recommend seeing a doctor for OCD, so there’s that.

Thoughts are systems within systems within systems that affect systems within systems. Interesting huh? Of course everyone has a different aproach on these systems. But let’s say accepting yourself is one system. Which will result in also better thought control or at least respecting your OCD and working on it.

Then I would say work on accepting yourself first. Now God can help with this because he will accept you for whom you are. So trough God you can work on accepting yourself and your OCD with it.

As for Meyer’s aproach she is right as the brain works in certain ways.

To the defense of Jesus however, if you would meditate daily and really focus on controlling your thoughts you would probably get more control. But this is a really hard task the Meyer aproach is easier. But if you do not feel comfortable with that, just try to accept yourself and your OCD trough God.

I hope I have been of help.

 

[Aussieman88]

I don’t know anything about OCD and how this relates to it but Meyer is right about controlling your thoughts. If I get a thought in my head and I know its about a sin or a negative thing about or towards anyone, I’ve taught myself to stop the thought, reject it in Jesus name and think about something else. It’s made me a better person and its putting me in a better frame of mind continually. As a result I sin less, and the things I want to do have changed. for the better I might add.

 

[LegoGE1947]

I don’t know anything about OCD and how this relates to it but Meyer is right about controlling your thoughts. If I get a thought in my head and I know its about a sin or a negative thing about or towards anyone, I’ve taught myself to stop the thought, reject it in Jesus name and think about something else. It’s made me a better person and its putting me in a better frame of mind continually. As a result I sin less, and the things I want to do have changed. for the better I might add.

I feel uncomfortable following the advice of any televangelist except possibly Bishop Sheen, since he was Catholic.

 

[Meemai]

I feel uncomfortable following the advice of any televangelist except possibly Bishop Sheen, since he was Catholic.

Well they all do the same sort of thing… I don’t think other religions in christianity mean any harm.