Pastor Sam Adeyemi, senior pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, tried to talk about mental illness, and caused a bit of a furore on Twitter this morning.
He tweeted that the root cause of mental illness is sin. The response to that declaration is sweeping. There is now an ongoing discussion on Twitter on the merit of his declaration.
Christians and Agnostics, everyone has something to say.
So! See below – and the reactions.
Pastor Sam
Sound health is part and parcel of our Salvation package. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
The Prosperity and Health of the Soul is the foundation of the prosperity of the physical body. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
There is a controversy amongst Christians on Mental Health issues because we believe it is a Spiritual issue. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
Mental illness is as real as physical illness. The lack of understanding gives room for a lot of Ignorance & stigmatisation #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
Mental Health is the state of emotional, psychological and social well being. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
As a result of ignorance on this issue, we label mental patients and run away from them. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/sam_adeyemi/status/792621703126024193
To maintain mental health feed your spirit and soul with healthy diet of God's word. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
If you don't get your identity from God's word you will believe everything the enemy tells you. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
If you allow Satan and your circumstances to define who you are it will distort the balance in your mental state. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
I speak on mental health not as an expert in psychiatry but on the believe that sound health is part of our Salvation #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
Feed on God's word, believe you have the mind of Christ. Interpret your life circumstances through the eyes of God's word. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
You must fight and win the battles in your Mind. 2nd Corinthians 10:4. You have all it takes to win as a Christian. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
The quality of your life will not be better than the quality of your thoughts. Fight and Win your mind battles. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
Use faith to fight the fiery darts of the enemy. (Ephesians 6:16) Quench every negative news that comes into your life. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
If you want to maintain your sanity, you have to be sensitive to God's word. Be anxious for nothing. Philippians 6:8. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
* Sorry about this. Philippians 4:8 https://t.co/buweUY9XLq
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
If something is wrong and you need medical attention or If you know anyone with mental illness. Please seek medical help. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
Seeking medical help for physical or mental illness does not contradict God's word or having faith for your healing. #MentalHealth
— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 30, 2016
Reactions
Our culture is very close to that of the biblical days where people are labeled by their circumstances – @sam_adeyemi @DaystarNG
— Yinka Ogunnubi (@yinkanubi) October 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/OlayAkins/status/792654960332726272
@sam_adeyemi not personal sin but Adamic sin nature.it is the root of all sickness, physical, spiritual and ultimately death
— Tishe Edgal (@Teashay1) October 30, 2016
Less than thrilled
Since Pastor Sam has chosen today's topic, let me just remind us of this bit of Nigerian classism: https://t.co/5XedmCbxEd ?? pic.twitter.com/ISdtiBxfg5
— AYO SOGUNRO (@ayosogunro) October 30, 2016
JESUS replied: "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. The End.
— Karo (@karoagono) October 30, 2016
dear praise, pls advice that the church remove from or reword the tweet on the venerable pastor's verified account. Dasall. ?
— Funmi Iyanda (@Funmilola) October 30, 2016
"the problem in Africa is to keep thinking mental health issue is a spiritual problem and that thinking is dangerous"
— praise fowowe (@praisefowowe) October 30, 2016
"some could have been caused by sin while others have other causes and we must use professionals"
— praise fowowe (@praisefowowe) October 30, 2016
"God has given men wisdom to solve some of these issues and we must maximise every avenue" that was what he said
— praise fowowe (@praisefowowe) October 30, 2016
Context
Sophisticated ignorance and mob judgement is wrong. There is a classic biblical reference that proves Rev. Sam is right. I will tell you
— Adewunmi Emoruwa (@eadewunmi) October 30, 2016
Jesus told a paralytic person "your sins are forgiven" in the healing miracle, people were outraged. See Jesus Reply. You are guilty of same pic.twitter.com/MEq2MvFoaK
— Adewunmi Emoruwa (@eadewunmi) October 30, 2016
In Christianity, it is correct to see any form of sickness as consequence of man's fallen state and sinful nature that faith in God can heal
— Adewunmi Emoruwa (@eadewunmi) October 30, 2016
I believe Rev. Sam referred to the root cause of sin. There's a lot of context in scripture. Paul acknowledged slavery. Throw my bible away?
— Adewunmi Emoruwa (@eadewunmi) October 30, 2016
I'm not even a christian but I get it, but some people here who claim "Superior Knowledge" totally misconstrued his tweets.
— Ólakúnlé Abióla Sómóyè (@MrSomoye) October 30, 2016
Understanding Pastor Sam in context is important.
The cause of all sickness,diseases & mental issues is as a result of sin committed by Adam— Tosin Olugbenga (Minding My Business) (@TosinOlugbenga) October 30, 2016
And we are still on the matter
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