We must remember a most important principle, namely, that God always holds us responsible for the motives of our behavior. A small child may be more prone to misbehave because it did not get a proper afternoon nap, but wise parents will not totally excuse such bad behavior, although making an allowance for the lack of a nap. In the same way, we cannot altogether blame a physical disease for bad behavior, although the disease may make it more difficult for us to do what is right. Scripture tells us “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities” (Romans 8:2626Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)), and this includes such things as bipolar disorder or post head injury emotional problems. Furthermore, a physical disease, whether affecting the brain or some other part of the body, cannot prevent us from following the Lord and looking to Him for help in the situation. Paul could say to the Corinthians, “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:1616For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)). Likewise, the Lord Himself could say to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:99And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)). While it is certainly not easy to find one’s natural abilities distorted, reduced or even taken away, yet it is an opportunity for us to recognize our weakness and look to the Lord for strength and help. Many dear believers have found this to be true and have been overcomers and bright testimonies for Christ, even with such disabilities.
In making these statements, we must, of course, distinguish between abnormal and sinful behavior. As a result of mental deficiency or mental illness, an individual may exhibit abnormal behavior which is characteristic of that particular illness. For example, the manic and depressive phases of bipolar disorder are largely beyond the individual’s control and will cause certain types of behavior that he cannot help. The lack of memory and inability to reason that go with Alzheimer’s disease are characteristic of that disease and cannot be helped. However, sinful behavior (that which is morally wrong) is something over which we have control, at least as to motive, although the distortions of our spirit, soul and body because of man’s fall may make it harder for us to control such tendencies. No doubt there is sometimes a fine line between what is abnormal because of mental illness and what is sinful because our will and wrong motives are involved.
The subject of willful sin and our responsibility before God brings up the question of addictions, which we will now look at.