But what if you have Tourette syndrome and your tics are disturbing to others, perhaps including coprolalia, the involuntary outburst of offensive words? You can draw comfort from what the Bible says. It assures us: “God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.” (1 John 3:20) He knows that you would ‘put away’ this “obscene talk” if you were physically able to. (Colossians 3:8) Yes, the Creator understands this disorder better than any human. He does not hold one accountable for a physical disorder over which one has no control.

Mark used to give talks in the Theocratic Ministry School, held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Now, at age 15, his coprolalia and screaming tics prevent him from doing so. “This does not make him any less of a Witness,” says his mother. “Mark loves Jehovah very much and is looking forward to the time when he will be cured of this terrible disease.”