Outrage As Popular Pastor Sam Adeyemi Says ‘Root Cause of Mental Illness is Sin’

Sam Adeyemi

Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre has sparked a conversation on mental health after he made controversial statements on mental illness, asserting that there is a link between physical and spiritual well-being, hence why he thinks sin is the root cause of mental illness.


“Mental illness is as real as physical illness. The lack of understanding gives room for a lot of Ignorance & stigmatisation,” the popular pastor said in his series of tweets. “Mental Health is the state of emotional, psychological and social well being.”

Adding, “The root cause of mental illness is Sin. (Rom 6:23)and the foundational solution to mental health is Salvation. To maintain mental health feed your spirit and soul with healthy diet of God’s word. If you allow Satan and your circumstances to define who you are it will distort the balance in your mental state.”

The tweets gained attention. Nigerians called out the pastor for making assertions in a field he is not trained to speak on. Seeing the barrage of tweets he was inundated with, Pastor Sam Adeyemi made clarifications.

“I speak on mental health not as an expert in psychiatry but on the believe that sound health is part of our Salvation,” he said, adding, “If something is wrong and you need medical attention or If you know anyone with mental illness. Please seek medical help.”

See his tweets below:

There is a controversy amongst Christians on Mental Health issues because we believe it is a Spiritual issue. #MentalHealth

Mental illness is as real as physical illness. The lack of understanding gives room for a lot of Ignorance & stigmatisation #MentalHealth

The root cause of mental illness is Sin. (Rom 6:23)and the foundational solution to mental health is Salvation #MentalHealth

To maintain mental health feed your spirit and soul with healthy diet of God's word. #MentalHealth

If you don't get your identity from God's word you will believe everything the enemy tells you. #MentalHealth

If you allow Satan and your circumstances to define who you are it will distort the balance in your mental state. #MentalHealth

I speak on mental health not as an expert in psychiatry but on the believe that sound health is part of our Salvation #MentalHealth

Feed on God's word, believe you have the mind of Christ. Interpret your life circumstances through the eyes of God's word. #MentalHealth

You must fight and win the battles in your Mind. 2nd Corinthians 10:4. You have all it takes to win as a Christian. #MentalHealth

The quality of your life will not be better than the quality of your thoughts. Fight and Win your mind battles. #MentalHealth

Use faith to fight the fiery darts of the enemy. (Ephesians 6:16) Quench every negative news that comes into your life. #MentalHealth

If you want to maintain your sanity, you have to be sensitive to God's word. Be anxious for nothing. Philippians 6:8. #MentalHealth

If something is wrong and you need medical attention or If you know anyone with mental illness. Please seek medical help. #MentalHealth

Seeking medical help for physical or mental illness does not contradict God's word or having faith for your healing. #MentalHealth