King Saul’s life in 1 Samuel 22–26 reveals how unrepentant sin can destroy the mind and heart. Saul’s jealousy of David grew into paranoia, self-pity, and ultimately madness. Yet David, who walked closely with God, displayed peace and wisdom. Learn that true wisdom—and true mental and spiritual stability—come only from walking with God.
https://youtu.be/lWwGBiHE5nA
Table of contents*
Sin Can Cause Mental Illness*
Saul's Violent Outbursts*
Saul’s Paranoia*
Saul’s First Mental Breakdown*
My Friend’s Bipolar Disorder*
Saul’s Bipolar Disorder or Unrepentance?*
The Wisdom From Walking with God*
Saul’s Change of Heart?*
Saul’s Second Mental Breakdown*
Outward Sorrow Is not Evidence of Repentance*
Jimmy Swaggart’s Outward Sorrow*
Noah’s And David’s Repentance*
Gain Wisdom from walking with God
The first mission trip I went on was with my previous church,
Grace Baptist. We traveled with World Impact to Los Angeles, primarily for a work trip to assist them with repairs to one of their buildings. However, we also conducted some evangelism in Central City East, which is more commonly referred to as Skid Row. It contains
one of the largest populations of homeless people in the United States.
You can see that many of the homeless people are mentally ill. Now, let me be clear: I believe some of these individuals are mentally ill through no fault of their own. Their mental illness is no more their fault than other illnesses or diseases are anyone's fault. However, just as some illnesses and diseases are caused by sin, mental illness can also result from sin.
Sin Can Cause Mental Illness
Saul is one of the most vivid portrayals of mental illness in Scripture. We can watch his mental decline throughout 1 Samuel.
Saul's Violent Outbursts
I believe his sickness began with his insane jealousy of David:
1 Samuel 18:7 The women sang…“Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 And Saul eyed David from that day on.
Soon after this, there are three recorded instances of Saul trying to pin David to the wall with his spear. When Saul started to believe his son, Jonathan, was with David, he also began trying to kill him. These violent outbursts show him unraveling mentally.
Saul’s Paranoia
David knew he was no longer safe in Jerusalem, so he fled and began hiding in the Judean wilderness. Saul went after him:
1 Samuel 22:6 Now Saul heard that David was discovered,
