Study of the Mind, Eating Disorders, and God's Word: How Do They Live In Coexistence?

An article I wrote for Ezine Articles

Mental illnesses are, without a doubt, real. The more pertinent question that needs to be asked is, what are mental illnesses and are they inclusive to eating disorders? This question is debatable among Christians and non-Christians alike, but it need not be.

In my public school sixth grade health class, I remember learning the clinical definition of mental illness: an emotional impairment. That is an easily agreeable fact and is a nonissue.

But it begs the questions: does the average eating-disordered person have a dynamic amount of emotions? Yes. Does the average non-eating-disordered person also have a dynamic amount of emotions? Yes.

The NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) identifies many conditions as mental illnesses. When looking at their website, it is not difficult to note that all except two (eating disorders and substance abuse disorders; both are addictions) on their listing have one trait in common: they are characterized by skewed emotional tendencies, sometimes resulting in behaviors that are not learned, but rather, instinctual. When I use the word "instinctual," I am not implying that all humans act on these unhealthy behaviors, but rather, I am stating that only the mentally ill population does.

It is a known fact that a large majority of those diagnosed with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and EDNOS are also diagnosed with another mental illness, most commonly depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Rightly so -- sometimes. Eating disorders are, in some cases, the effect of said illnesses, not another illness altogether. Examples of this phenomena are easy to find.

Katie* suffers from major depressive disorder, so she binges to escape her negative emotions. Sarah is anxious about her body image, so she attempts to calm her worries with an eating disorder. Jessica has OCD, and her disease is manifested when she becomes ritualistic and numerically regimented in her diet.

Skewed emotions can also be an effect of eating disorders. Malnutrition messes with the brain's chemicals, and when emotions are placed into food and the toilet and not at the foot of the cross, they're gonna get a bit screwy. It is a known fact that, in my life, my times of freedom (times when I have not been actively using eating disorder symptoms) have been full of joy, socialization, trips abroad and across the country, a growing relationship with God and a desire to serve Him. My times of bondage have been occupied by hopelessness, lack of motivation, isolation, psychiatric hospitalizations due to suicidal tendencies, and a very distant and cold relationship with the Lord.

I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and I agree that I do have it. My depression began long before my eating disorder did, so I know that it is not only an effect of my addiction, but also a cause. I am not denying that the nonaddictive mental illnesses are rightly identified; I am only speaking about addictions, specifically eating disorders.

So what are eating disorders? That's an easy one: sin. All addictions (the list goes on and on -- eating disorders, cutting, gambling, sex, pornography, alcohol, drugs...) can be placed under the category of life-dominating sins.

Do all eating-disordered people foster one or more of the following mindsets, including but not limited to: perfectionism, all-or-nothing thinking, an addictive personality, a desire for control, insecurity (biblically named fear of man), body image issues, lack of boundaries, weak ability to regulate emotions, etc? Yes, of course. Does this indicate a disease? Maybe by the Bible's definition, but definitely not in scientific terms. The underlying roots of eating disorders are nothing more than sinful natures.

I won't go into the long explanation of why eating disorders are sins, but the biblical evidence is abundant (Psalm 104:14-15, Acts 14:17, 1 Timothy 4:3-5, Col. 3:5, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, to name a few). Researching psychologists and psychiatrists have found that every addict has underlying roots to their problems (duh). They don't know what to call said cause, so they name it illness. Close, but no cigar. Sinful nature.

So let's talk about sinful natures; there are a few basic facts to remember. First, everyone has a different sinful nature, depending on an array of things both biological and environmental. It is common for Americans to have a sinful nature that may link to an eating disorder (gluttony, greed, perfectionism, vanity, idolatry, etc.) because of our culture. On a recent mission trip to the Dominican Republic, I noticed that some people had a higher tendency to lie and steal because of the deep poverty they were living in. I, personally, do not struggle with sexual sin as much as I do say, gossip, but many others have the opposite scenario. It all depends on the way God made us and the environment we grew up in.

It is not a sin to have a sinful nature -- only to act on it. Even Jesus Christ Himself had a human nature, as He was fully man (but, of course, He was perfect and did not sin). He also was tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:1), so we know temptation alone is not a sin.

I could not have controlled whether or not I was born with a sinful nature; that occurred in the Garden. I could have controlled whether or not I acted on that with an eating disorder. I did so choose, and I am held responsible.

Then the question arises, is this biblically identified cause of eating disorders and other life-dominating sins genetic? Many say no, but I disagree. Generational sins are very real in that each generation carries the sins of Adam. Now, this is not to say that we have an excuse for our actions, but sin is passed through generations and is therefore genetic. Therefore, the notion in and of itself that this distorted way of thinking is genetically inherited is not incorrect, but only wrongly applied.

Another important keynote is that psychology is not bad -- although clinical psychology has its errors. Psychology is the study of the human mind, which God created. The Lord tells us in His Word that He wants us to seek out knowledge and wisdom (Prov. 3). Psychology is a specified field of science with some research-based errors. Those errors have, unfortunately, been somewhat detrimental. As is so with biology and its studies of the big bang theory, but biology itself is not seen as bad. Secular counseling is not the antichrist.** Biblical counseling should be favored and placed on a higher priority, but secular counseling has obviously displayed to be helpful even to Christians. Any believer who legitimately wants the Lord is both willing and able to direct herself to the cross even without the help of a biblical counselor.

The connotation of "sin" applied to anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and EDNOS does not imply that a person struggling with any of these is a failure, a lesser being, or is condemned to hell. Every human being is a sinner, and in God's eyes, every sin is equal. He died on the cross to atone for our sins. Repentance, healing, and renewal of the mind is found at His feet. The Bible speaks eloquently on this subject and tells us, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15) Jesus also said that we will "produce fruit in keeping with repentance." (Matt. 3:8) That means that if we persevere in our relationship with Him, we will one day be freed from our life-dominating sin. In the book of Romans, Paul instructs all believers: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2) The One who transforms and renews our minds is God. It is hard to overcome an eating disorder when you hate yourself or obsess about food, but Jesus alone can break through that. I am washed white as snow with the precious blood of Jesus (Sounds like they cancel each other out, right? Think again.) and He is making me beautiful. That is why I love Him so much.

* Names are not based on any real person and are only used for an example.
** The word antichrist is not meant to be literal but is rather a depiction of the way some modern biblical counselors treat secular counseling.