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.
Images of Christ
59-0525 §22
Now brother, sister, when we have that kind of spirit, we might as well get it in our mind that we're not Christians yet. No matter how much we confess; it's what we possess that counts. We cannot be Christians and not love all peoples. We might differ with peoples. But Jesus didn't put in and say, "Well now here, all you Pharisees, you're all going to hell, and there's no chance for you, because of this, that, or the other, because you are a Pharisee." But He went to them, and He ministered to them, and He helped...
The Supernatural
56-0129 §9
...s is like experience of a Christian. Sometimes we have to go through terrible chastisement, chastening of the Lord, many things to correct us, that we will be fruit-bearing Christians. Sometimes has to prune us, cut off, take away, take out of our hands. We think sometime, "O God, what are You doing to us?" But He knows what He's doing. But we pray, Father, that today, that You'll prune every one of us. From the least to the greatest, the pastor, God, we pray that You'll prune every one of us. Take away all that's...
Hidden Life with Christ
56-0213 §37
...mind; the devil works in that. You've got to go with your heart. So, her mind would tell her, "Now, it's reasonable, if these women can do that, why can't I? They're called Christians; they have good standing in the church; they have good standing in the community, so why can't I? I'm a Christian like they are, and if they can do that, then it's reasonable that I should do it too, 'cause I'll be one of them. If I don't, they'll think I'm an old fogy; and I won't do this, I'm better than they are." See, that's reaso...
Thou Son of David, have mercy on me
61-0215 §42
Now, we find out that just a little later, as Bartimaeus sat there a little longer, wondering what would take place... Then he remembered that, too, just below there, not five hundred yards from where he was sitting, that great Joshua (oh, my!) that great servant of God who took Moses' place, that come across the Red Sea; and come across also with only two of the old group in the wilderness back there that believed that they could take the land. They looked at the Word of God. They believed the Word of God. Nine of...
The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast, part 1
61-0216 §40
Notice Israel and Moab. Now it's the same. We find out that the church takes on a... They go out and take on a denominational ... bring in anything they want to. They just say, "Well, now, if you'll come and be baptized in our church, and stand up and say you believe Jesus is the Son of God, then we'll baptize you in the church and put your name on the book." Now, do you know the devil believes, too? Sure he does. I explained to you the other night, too---like trying to immerse this old turtle. It didn't do anythin...