What does the Bible say concerning the mentally disabled?

What does the Bible say concerning the mentally disabled?

Topic(s): Bible Authority, God's Will

Bob Prichard

Mental disability, like other disabilities, comes in many forms, and includes mental illness, mental retardation, illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, injury that affects mental ability and other. Mental illness in Bible times was sometimes complicated by demon possession, although there is no evidence that God allows demon possession today. 1 Samuel describes King Saul’s descent into apparent madness as he rejected God and became more and more jealous of David. “But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him” (1 Samuel 16:14). Later, as David was on the run from Saul, he wound up in the court of Achish, a Philistine king. To protect himself from Achish, David “changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard” (1 Samuel 21:13).

The Bible clearly indicates that not all illness involved demon possession. Matthew describes the healing ministry of Jesus: “And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24). Jesus healed the physical and mental illnesses, as well as casting out the demons.

John records a healing incident that puts things in perspective. As Jesus and His disciples passed by a man born blind, the disciples asked Him, “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2). The disciples held the common belief of the day that every illness was the direct result of sin. It seems that they were more interested in considering the man as a theological question, or in placing the blame for his condition, than in helping the man. But “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:2-5). Jesus was interested in helping the man. The end result of the healing was that the man worshipped Jesus as the Son of God (John 9:35-38).

Christians interested in following in the footsteps of Jesus will seek to help the mentally disabled as well as their caregivers. The care of a mentally disabled person is often very costly, not only in terms of money but also in terms of emotional stress and discouragement. The truth that Jesus cares for their needs must be stressed, and Christians should offer the same care. God wants the mentally disabled to reach their full potential as people. All of us should seek to do the will of God to the very best of our ability, trusting in Him to care for our needs. Jesus reminds us, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:26). God cares for us because He created us to be His children, even if mentally disabled.