Questioning Guidance from Experts

We’re often advised to “trust the experts,” but what if those in religious circles lead us astray?

Recently, on the “Ask Deace Anything” segment of the “Steve Deace Show,” a viewer brought up a troubling situation involving his girlfriend, who has PTSD and bipolar disorder. She had been hospitalized amid a severe episode.

While at the hospital, a pastor told her she possessed “empathy” and “spiritual abilities.” This seemed to bolster her sense of being “spiritually empowered,” but it also appeared to deepen her alignment with New Age ideas. Unfortunately, she seems resistant to any criticism coming from her pastor.

Deace responds emphatically, saying, “It’s a demon.” He emphasizes that the most crucial step would be to bring her to a church where both she and her partner can embrace traditional Biblical teachings.

He suggests that the pastor has given her an idol, allowing her to find meaning in her suffering. “We all go through hardships, and we often seek purpose in our struggles. Sadly, many modern Christian churches tend to complicate the notion of suffering,” Deace explains.

He continues to stress the importance of finding a church capable of delivering God’s true wisdom, highlighting that this situation puts the viewer in a difficult position. “You’ve lost something here because this individual has offered her something you might not be able to provide: a reason for her suffering,” he concludes.