The Schizophrenic Bride

Schizophrenia – a condition defined as, “fragmented mind or ‘split mind’ referring to disruptions or ‘fractures’ in how a person thinks, feels, or perceives reality when symptoms are present.

This condition affects less than 1% of the general population world-wide. It lowers life expectancy by fifteen years. 5% commit suicide. 40% attempt suicide.

There are five types of schizophrenia that share a number of symptoms including:

• Trouble with telling the difference between what is real/unreal.

• Trouble thinking clearly (focus).

• Having a hard time managing emotions.

• Delusions/Hallucinations (paranoia/visual and/or auditory hallucinations).

I feel that the church today, the Bride of Christ is schizophrenic.

The church today does not have an accurate picture of who she is. Almost any church will agree that unity is a must, but they do not all seem to realize that unity in the body of Christ is not about unity within a single congregation, but rather, unity expands beyond their four walls.

I have been places where even talking about the Bride of Christ, it ended on the note of, “our church” and “this ministry” and “we” [this congregation]. There was a clear and intentional emphasis on the present attendees at this retreat. This so grieved my spirit. The Bride is meant to be more than that.

Ephesians 5:25-27 says:

“That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish…”

Jesus is coming back for a pure Bride. A whole bride.

He is not coming back to be playing the Bachelor, each congregation competing against another for the title of the Bride of Christ. He is coming back for a whole and pure bride. But the bride as she stands has a “fractured” mind divided by opinions and denominations creating within the body an “us” and “them” mentality. We [the Bride] need the mind of Christ, and be unified in mind.

Where do I see schizophrenia in the church?

In the symptoms:

Physical: Trouble with telling the difference between what is real/unreal

Spiritual: Trouble with telling the difference between what is moral/good/God & deceived/false prophets

Scripture: Colossians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 11:4

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Physical: Trouble thinking clearly (focus)

Spiritual: Double-minded man; Mind of the Spirit is life and peace.

Scripture: James 1:7-8; Romans 8:6

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Physical: Hard time managing emotions

Spiritual: Harboring unforgiveness/hatred/bitterness

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-26

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Physical: Delusions/Hallucinations

Spiritual: False beliefs/perceptions

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4

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The 5 types of schizophrenia are:

• paranoid (hallucinations/always in a panicked state of mind)

• Catatonic (stupor and physical immobility)

• Disorganized (disorganized thinking and speech, loses touch with reality)

• Undifferentiated (not in the other categories), and

• Residual (once the symptoms start to disappear).

It is time to wake up church! Recognize that the body expands beyond your four walls. How many different ways have we divided ourselves?

“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted to her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure” – for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” Revelation 19:7-8

Come together, church! Let us be of one mind.

How can you be an agent of unity to bring everyone together?

“Come, Lord Jesus, Come!”