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             It is estimated that more that 5 million American adults over the age of 65 suffer with some form of dementia that includes problems with reasoning and judgment, memory, getting lost, etc. Most families have at least one loved one with some form of dementia. Just as dementia can affect one in a physical way there is what could also be called spiritual dementia that would have similar characteristics in a spiritual manner. What might be some of the signs of spiritual dementia?

            The mature thinking Christian is one that is able to use good or spiritual discernment regarding various situations of life. Paul wrote, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent…” (Philippians 1:9-10). Paul went on in the letter to provide an example of discernment. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). When a Christian can no longer make good spiritual judgments between what is right and wrong, or can no longer focus upon that which is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, then spiritual dementia has set in.

              The mature thinking Christian is one that is able to remember where, when, and with whom he should be in life. The author of Hebrews wrote, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” (Hebrews 10:25). As time passes with one that has spiritual dementia they will forget where they should be, when they should be there, and with whom they should be at those times. Instead of being with brothers and sisters in Christ on the first day of the week to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24) they will be other places doing other things with other people. Spiritual dementia has set in with the spiritual memory.

                The mature thinking Christian is one that is able to continue to walk in the light in order to be in a saved state. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Walking in the light is a sign of having good judgment and reasoning for the Christian. Walking in the light means that one is not lost. Sometimes those that have the physical dementia become lost and do not realize it. So it is with the Christian that has spiritual dementia and has become lost not walking in the light and does not realize it.

            Once dementia in a physical way has set in there is no real cure for it, but that is not the case for spiritual dementia. Spiritual dementia can be cured with the gospel of Christ and one that desires to return to their first love (Revelation 2:4). The brethren at Ephesus who had lost their first love because of spiritual dementia could return as Jesus pleaded with them, and so can you.