There Is A Big Difference Between Wickedness And Mental Illness
In a world that often mislabels and misunderstands human suffering, we must ask: Is there a difference between wickedness and mental illness? The answer is a resounding yes. Yet, in many societies—both ancient and modern—this distinction is blurred, leading to the wrongful condemnation of the mentally ill and the excusing of the truly wicked.
Many people struggling with mental illness suffer in silence, unfairly judged as if they were evildoers. Others, whose hearts are filled with wickedness, manipulate and destroy lives, hiding behind false narratives of mental instability. But the Bible provides us with clarity, separating sin from sickness, evil from affliction, and rebellion from brokenness.
Let us uncover the truth with the guidance of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and the words of Jesus in the Gospels, so that we may discern what is truly righteous in the eyes of God.
---
Wickedness Is a Choice—Mental Illness Is Not
The wicked choose to do evil. They reject God’s ways, oppress the innocent, and act with malice in their hearts. Mental illness, on the other hand, is a condition of suffering, something that a person does not choose. The Bible makes this distinction clear:
The Way of the Wicked
"The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men." —Psalm 12:8
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" —Jeremiah 17:9
"They have no fear of God before their eyes." —Psalm 36:1
These verses show that wickedness comes from a heart that willfully turns away from God. Wicked people are not sick; they are rebellious. They walk in pride, deceit, and destruction. They love their sin and refuse to repent.
But what about those who suffer from mental illness?
Mental Illness in the Bible: Suffering, Not Sin
The Scriptures acknowledge that the mind and spirit can be afflicted just as the body can. Those who struggle with mental illness experience deep pain, confusion, and distress, but this is not the same as wickedness.
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." —Psalm 34:18
"My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long?" —Psalm 6:3
"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God." —Psalm 42:11
These verses reflect the inner torment of those suffering—a far cry from the malicious intent of the wicked.
Even Jesus, in His compassion, healed those who were tormented in mind and spirit.
"And they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and He healed them." —Matthew 4:24
Jesus did not condemn the suffering. He healed them. He understood that affliction is not sin, and He showed mercy to the broken.
---
The Wicked Harm Others—The Mentally Ill Often Harm Themselves
One of the clearest distinctions between wickedness and mental illness is seen in who they harm.
Wicked people seek to destroy others. They exploit, manipulate, and bring suffering upon the innocent.
Those suffering from mental illness often turn their pain inward. They wrestle with despair, depression, and hopelessness.
The wicked take pleasure in their wrongdoing, but the mentally ill cry out for relief.
The Wicked: Harming Others with Intent
"They delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil." —Proverbs 2:14
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." —John 10:10
The truly wicked person takes joy in destruction. They intentionally deceive, abuse, and cause pain.
The Mentally Ill: Harming Themselves in Distress
"My days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food." —Psalm 102:3-4
"My tears have been my food day and night." —Psalm 42:3
Mental illness often manifests as self-inflicted suffering—an internal battle of despair and confusion. Those struggling seek healing, not destruction.
Jesus recognized this and brought healing to those who were afflicted.
---
The Wicked Reject God—The Mentally Ill Seek Him
Another crucial difference is in how they respond to God.
The wicked reject God. They mock Him, deny His laws, and refuse to repent.
The mentally ill cry out to God. They seek comfort, even when they struggle to find peace.
The Wicked: No Repentance, No Shame
"Fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good." —Psalm 14:1
"They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity." —Ephesians 4:19
The wicked deliberately harden their hearts. They do not struggle with sin; they embrace it.
The Mentally Ill: Seeking God in Pain
"Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!" —Psalm 130:1
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me." —Psalm 23:4
Even in darkness, those suffering yearn for God’s presence. They may not always feel His nearness, but they long for His mercy.
And God hears them.
---
God’s Judgment for the Wicked, God’s Mercy for the Afflicted
The Bible teaches that God will judge the wicked—but He is merciful to those who suffer.
Judgment for the Wicked
"The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, He hates with a passion." —Psalm 11:5
"But the wicked will perish: The Lord’s enemies are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away." —Psalm 37:20
God will not be deceived. He knows the difference between the wicked and the afflicted.
Mercy for the Afflicted
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." —Psalm 147:3
"Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." —Matthew 11:28
God is compassionate to those who suffer. He does not cast them away but calls them to His love and healing.
---
Final Thoughts: Walk in Discernment and Mercy
We live in a time when society confuses mental illness with wickedness—but God does not.
The wicked willfully sin, reject truth, and harm others.
The mentally ill suffer, cry out to God, and long for healing.
As followers of God, we must walk in both discernment and compassion. We must not excuse the wicked, nor should we condemn the suffering. Instead, we should pray for justice and extend mercy where it is needed.
For God Himself is both a righteous judge and a loving healer.
"For the LORD is righteous, He loves justice; the upright will see His face." —Psalm 11:7
