Q. Is depression always the result of sinful choices? How will I know if it is?

Short answer: Yes. Sin is a result of a sinful choice. When Adam and Eve chose to trust themselves over God (sin) the result was depressing. Long answer: Today we need to remember that while depression *can be the result of a sinful choice(s), we need to be careful to not assume that depression is always the result of a sinful choice(s) in a person’s life. For example, we would never take this view when seeking to help people who have cancer, had suffered a stroke, or had broken a leg, or developed diabetes or Alzheimer’s. We would believe that these physical problems are most likely the result of living as fallen creatures in a fallen world and need to be addressed with a physical remedy. Why should our starting point with a person who is suffering from depression be any different? The brain like any other part of the body can have ailments. Part of the normal expectations for a person with a Biblical worldview is that we live in a fallen world and that we are broken people.

*Depression in the life of a person can be a result of sinful choices. Physical ailments such a heart disease certainly can be caused by abusing the body with smoking or alcohol, just as some diabetes can be cause by gluttony, just as a broken leg can be caused by pushing the body beyond God-given limitations, so depression can be caused by personal sin. However, to start with the assumption that sin must be at the root of all depression is not wise and could potentially cause more damage to an individual seeking help. The starting point in our understanding of how our body responds to life through the symptoms of depression should be no different from that of understanding other physical problems such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or even the need for getting eyeglasses.

Unfortunately, Christians may give the impression that to become a Christian is to have been simultaneously inoculated from any hint of depression. The standard line of thinking goes like this: the Christian has both a temporal and eternal hope in their Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, depression is an emotion that denies the truth of this hope and is, thus, sinful. There are three reasons as to why this overly simplistic assessment is not helpful. First, we are physical being that operate in broken bodies due to the Fall. Therefore, we do not always function as we were made to function. Our bodies can break down and require physiological help in order to regain the ability to function. Depression in an individual can function as an indication that something is wrong at a physiologically level. While it may be true that there are actions that are contributing to this imbalance, it is not necessarily a cause (sin) and effect (depression) dynamic.

Second, Christians still possess an unredeemed flesh that is charged and naturally bent to pursue self-centered values. The Christian is simultaneously a sinner and a saint (lit. simul iustus et peccator, Latin). This dynamic brings with it a form of “depression” in that we do not live as though we would like. While it may be said this qualifies as being the result of our sinful-self, the tension of having this form of depression is actually good and helpful. This is because a true and godly Christians should expect to experience a form of depression or they are not growing as a Christian or may not even be a Christian.

Three, our hope is exercised through a moment-by-moment trust in God. However, since we do not trust in God in every moment, it is important to realize that we have need of others around us to remind of this hope. While there are those who would quickly say, “See depression is brought on by not hoping in God”; I do not believe that dismissing the greater picture of our frailty is helpful.

Therefore, while depression can, and often is, a result of outright disbelief (“sin”) of God’s sovereignty or provision in a particular context of life, we must remember that the outworking of our hope in God is weakened and inconsistent given our physiological, psychological, and spiritual condition as a broken and yet- to-be-redeemed people. This is precisely why the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so sweet. If a Christian finds themselves in a time of darkness and despair, we are to remind them of the secure hope in Jesus that is fully charged and sufficient to rescue us by the truth of God’s love and provision. A reminder of this type should not be a harsh rebuke for a lack of faith, but as a gentle reminder of who our God is and what our Savior has done on our behalf. It is in this context that an individual will be aided by the Holy Spirit in finding strength for the journey, even if this strength is characterized by a moment-by-moment struggle to overcome depression.

Stay Tuned:
In Part 2, I will provide historical examples to support my perspective and in Part 3 I will give a particular process in which to better determine if depression is spiritual (psychological) or physiological with accompanying suggestions for remedy.