Can Christians Take Antidepressants?
1) Direct Answer
Yes. A Christian may take prescribed antidepressant medicine under proper care, with prayer and faith in God as the true Healer, so long as it does not lead to bondage, loss of sobriety, or become a substitute for repentance and trust in the Lord.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- The Bible shows that practical helps for the body are permitted. “Use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23). That wasn’t unbelief; it was a measured, need-based help.
- Paul traveled with “Luke, the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). God did not condemn the presence of a doctor among His people.
- The Good Samaritan used oil and wine on wounds (Luke 10:34), showing the lawful use of remedies.
- Yet healing is God’s work: “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church… the prayer of faith shall save the sick” (James 5:14-15).
- We must not be ruled by anything: “I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12). And we must keep a clear, Spirit-led mind: “Be not drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
- God also addresses the inner life: He gives “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3), His peace guards the heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7), and we cast all our care upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- You see, some afflictions are mainly physical, some are wounds of the soul, and some are heavy spiritual oppression. A pill cannot forgive sin or cast out a devil, and a sermon cannot replace food, rest, or a necessary aid to the body. So we seek the Lord first, obey His Word, receive prayer, and, when needed, use lawful helps without condemnation.
- Medicine is a tool; God is the Healer. If a measured, doctor-directed treatment helps stabilize the body while you feed on the Word and walk in obedience, it’s not unbelief. But if any drug begins to rule you, dull your sobriety, or excuse disobedience, that’s wrong.
- Guard the order:
- Go to God first—prayer, repentance, confession, and the anointing of the elders.
- Stay in the Word, praise, fellowship, and clean living.
- If there’s ongoing need, use prescribed treatment wisely, avoid self-medicating, review it regularly with trustworthy care, and give thanks to God.
- Don’t condemn those who are struggling. Strengthen them. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and binds up wounds. He restores both mind and heart.
4) Reinforcing Statement
Now notice, the Bible never tells you to refuse help; it tells you to refuse bondage and unbelief. Keep Christ first, keep your mind clear, walk in the light, and let every remedy sit under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. God heals—sometimes instantly, sometimes by process—but always to the glory of His Name.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
Speak to this Rock
53-0512 §43
...y solemn affair. So just be as reverent as you can. Be in prayer. You can watch me, but be in prayer, 'less I tell you to put your head down. Then when you do, if something takes place... Sometimes, like epilepsy, it's very hard to deal with. And the thing will just carry on. Sometimes it throws the patient into spells, and I've just seen everything take place. Now when I ask you to do that, then you keep your head bowed, and just keep in prayer. Surely, Christians know how to hold onto God in that hour. All right.
Ordination
62-1104E §17
...to know that Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterian, Lutheran, whatever you may be, you're invited, and a brother with us if you're born of the Spirit of God, to stand here and take communion with us. We believe that these represent the broken body of Jesus Christ, and we believe that a Christian is duty bound to take it. We believe that a man that's not living right, that comes and takes it without being living right, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. That's why those churches calli...
The Lamb's book of life
56-0603 §39
Notice, how many in here this morning are Christians? Would you raise your hands? Just raise your hands up, "I'm Christian." God be praised that you are a Christian. How did you become Christians. Because you said, "I want to become a Christian?" because that you sought God with tears? Because God, by grace, called you. That's right. Not because you sought Him; because He sought you. Now, if you notice, on the Baptist side, or the Presbyterian---the Arminian belief---they all go to seed. They say, "Well if God call...
Hear ye Him
58-0301E §40
...y pass down the street, "If there ever was a Christian, there they go, for the sweetness of that person, though they don't belong to my denomination, but yet, they are real Christians. They are sweet and kind." Thou has said in Thy Word, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost it savour..." And God, I'm afraid that's what's happened to the church: it's lost its sweetness, it's lost its love, it's lost its influence to bring sinners to You. Just taking in a bunch of members, and baptize them, and let...
The Roman Nobleman
55-0621 §13
...st recently, in Africa, there was thousands there, was packing idols in their arms, sprinkled with blood. Are they sincere about it? Way more than we are, calling ourselves Christians. Over on the Ganges River, little mother taking their little black babies and pitch them into the alligators, to eat their sacrifice to their gods. That's a little more than Christianity would do ... I mean, a little more sincere. In India they lay on spikes, walk in fire. In China they break their feet, split their tongues, and many...