Unusual Question #1 - “Would Logic be good for someone who is a schizophrenic and hears voices?”

Um, um… that’s a good question…  Actually, this was a real question that a father asked me recently at a homeschool event where I had my table set up at. While I must confess it caught me off guard a little bit, I asked him for clarification so that I would understand more of what he was looking for (and to give me time to think of an answer). The father went on to explain that his now grown son (history of medical condition) occasionally would hear voices telling him to do such and such, and he was believing that it was God/Holy Spirit telling him to do them. For example, the young man was ‘told’ to sell all his stuff and give away the money, as well as other activities. While God may ask that of some, when it is those with certain mental medical conditions, we must exercise caution and discernment.

After quickly asking the Lord for wisdom, we were able to get to the heart of the matter. The problem in this situation was not that the young man wanted to sell all his stuff to help others – that is commendable if that what the Lord clearly and unmistakably wants; which, by the way, I have met people who have literally sold everything and went to live in a travel trailer as they gave their life to evangelism. Nothing wrong with that if that is what God clearly directs. The problem for this young man, then, is identifying whether those directives were from God, mental malfunctions, or even the likelihood of demonic suggestion.

In I John 4:1-3, God gives clear advice on how to be sure of the source: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”  Just because we ‘hear’ voices, or are strongly led to do something, does not automatically mean it is from God. He gives clear advice that we must ‘try’ (discern and test) whether those influences square up with God and His Word.

I pointed out to the father, that this is one thing that makes The Logic Seminar unique – direct application and directions on how to build discernment. I showed him from the Student Handbook how Lesson 31 deals completely with how to use discernment in dealing with Human Testimony, and how Lesson 32 deals completely with how to use discernment in what claims to be Divine Testimony. I also showed him how a good number of the lessons in the Logic Seminar are dedicated to providing general directions for making good decisions and judging aright (26-32,37-38,40-41).

I explained that The Logic Seminar is not an academic exercise. I pray that it will not be seen as ‘just’ an academic exercise. The Logic Seminar is different because it puts in your hands tangible, outlined steps and directives of how to literally build your discernment – not just for everyday life, but in weightier matters of faith and eternity as well.

The father kindly thanked me for our discussion and obtained the curriculum to help him and his son “…have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14

Maranatha!