IF WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS AND ARE OVERCOMERS THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB; THEN WHY SO MUCH SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS?

    WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS

Intro.

1. Anemia lit. means “no blood.” To be anemic is “lacking force, vitality, or spirit…lacking interest…lacking in substance or quantity” (Merriam-Webster Online).

 

2. Spiritual anemia (weakness) is real & challenges Christians. We must face it in ourselves & help others who are weak, 1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:10.

 

a. Jesus spoke of the weakness of the flesh, Matt. 26:41.

 

b. We are commanded to support the weak, 1 Ths. 5:14.

 

3. What do we mean by “spiritual weakness?” (Having little strength)

 

a. It is being weak in faith, cf. Rom. 4:19.

 

b. To be spiritually minded is to be ruled by the Spirit, Rom. 8:1-8.

 

c. So, to be worldly (fleshly) minded is to be ruled by the flesh.

 

4. Reasons, symptoms (remedies) & responses to spiritual weakness.

 

 

 

I. REASONS FOR SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS.

 

A. Immaturity (Spiritually Undeveloped), 1 Cor. 3:1-2.

 

1. New convert is unskilled in the word & must grow, Heb. 5:12-13.

 

2. Must grow to strength thru the word of God, 1 Pet. 2:2; cf. 1 Jno. 2:14.

 

B. Being Distracted of the World, Matt. 26:41.

 

1. Temptations to sin attack us where we are vulnerable, cf. Jno. 18:18.

 

-So, we must put on the armor of God to be strong, Eph. 6:11-13.

 

2. Trials challenge our diligence, Jas. 1:2-3.

 

-So, we must remain diligent in faith, Heb. 6:9-11.

 

3. Error hinders strength; producing weakness & death, Gal. 5:1, 7.

 

-So, we must stand fast in the faith to be strong in Christ, 1 Cor. 16:13.

 

C. Being Overcome by Sin, Gal. 6:1.

 

1. Sin turns spiritual weakness into spiritual death (Jas. 5:19-20).

 

2. Spiritual weakness can become an excuse for sin!

 

3. Spiritual weakness, when not addressed, becomes sin…and leads to even more sin!

 

D. Not Using God’s Word to Judge what is Right, 1 Cor. 2:12-16.

 

1. The spiritual person judges things by the “mind of Christ” (truth) & avoids condemnation.

 

2. Failure to do this caused many in Corinth to be weak, 1 Cor. 11:30.

 

E. Left Alone, Spiritual Weakness Becomes Carnality, 1 Cor. 3:1-3.

 

1. We must choose to be ruled by the Spirit by obeying truth, Rom. 8:5, 7.

 

2. Otherwise we are choosing the flesh & spiritual death.

 

 

 

II. SYMPTOMS OF SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS.

 

A. Weak in Resistance:

 

1. To temptation, Eph. 6:10, 13, 16. (cf. to complain, murmur, etc.)

 

a. The spiritually weak says “everyone is weak” as his excuse.

 

b. The apostle said we can be strong! 1 Jno. 2:14 identifies strong.

 

2. To error, Eph. 4:14.

 

-Spiritual weak produces shame of truth & fear to defend (Ro.1:16; 1Pe. 3:15)

 

B. Weak in Appetite, Matt. 5:6; Jno. 6:27.

 

1. Craving / eagerness for righteousness / for Christ (bread of life).

 

2. Most anemic Christians have a good appetite for many other things (recreation, entertainment, movies, ballgames…)–lit. “eat them up.”

 

3. Yet, he/she has little/no desire for:

 

a. The solid food (strong meat) of the word, 1 Cor. 3:2 (Heb. 5:14).

 

b. Need a priority check, Matt. 6:33.

 

c. Need to learn and live God’s word (2 Tim. 2:15).

 

C. Weak in Estimating His Ability & Responsibility, Matt. 25:18.

 

1. When asked to help in the work of the Lord he replies: “I can’t.”

 

2. The strong says, “I’ll try” – cf. Phil. 4:13.

 

 

 

III. WHY IS SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS SO BAD?

 

A. Left Unattended it Becomes Willful Sin, Heb. 10:26.

 

-God has made provisions for our spir. growth & strength (word of God).

 

B. It is Contagious.

 

1. Physical anemia is not, but spiritual anemia is! (Gal. 5:9)

 

2. Spiritual weakness influences & discourages others (Num. 32:6-7).

 

3. “No one goes to heaven or hell by himself.”

 

 

 

IV. RESPONSES TO THE SPIRITUALLY WEAK, Lk. 13:6-9.

 

A. Support the Weak, 1 Ths. 5:14. (We are our brother’s keeper!)

 

1. Don’t ignore, excuse or rationalize their weakness; Exhort, encourage, rebuke.

 

2. Support (uphold): “to keep one’s self directly opposite to any one, hold to him firmly, cleave to, paying heed to him.”

 

3. Help them grow thru Bible study, 6-9.

 

4. Set good examples for them to see (1 Tim. 4:12).

 

B. Try to Restore the Weak who have Fallen, Gal. 6:1-2.

 

-Teach, correct, warn & rebuke, 2 Tim. 2:24-26.

 

C. Pray for the Weak, 1 Jno. 5:15-16.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

Jude 20:25:

 

1. Responsibility of the weak: Grow in personal faith (20-21).

 

2. Responsibility toward the weak: In mercy & compassion, try to help strengthen & save (22-23).

 

3. Rely on God who is able (dunamai, power) to keep (guard) us from stumbling (stand firm) & present us without blemish in His presence (24

 

PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO STAND….

                      “A  BIBLICAL  LOOK  AT  THE CHRISTIAN’S ARMOR”

 

Intro.

 

1. Many reject Christ & Christianity due to a false sense of security!

 

2. We know we have an enemy who wants to destroy us! (1 Pet. 5:8)

 

3. 1 Pet. 5:9 – Steadfastly resist him! How? Eph. 6:10-17

 

 

 

I. THE CHRISTIAN’S STRENGTH COMES FROM CHRIST – 6:10; Phil. 4:13; Rom. 8:37 (through faith & obedience to Him).

 

A. What Do I Need The Strength To Overcome?

 

1. Sin & temptations – 1 Pet. 2:24; Heb. 4:14-16.

 

2. Trials of life – cf. Rom. 8:35-39.

 

a. Tribulation (“pressed down,” affliction) – External presses.

 

b. Distress (narrowness of place; anxiety) – Internal stress.

 

c. Persecution (put to flight) – Threats, etc.

 

d. Famine, nakedness, peril (dangers), sword (death threats).

 

B. We Must Be Humble Enough To Accept His Strength! – 2 Cor. 12:7-10.

 

 

 

II. WHY WE MUST RELY UPON HIS STRENGTH FOR OUR SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING – 6:11-12.

 

A. Our Adversary Is The Devil – 1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 2:11.

 

B. Our Battleground Is In The Spiritual Realm – cf. 2 Cor. 10:3-4.

 

-(The battle ground is over our souls, & the effects are seen in how we live in the flesh! – cf. Rom. 6:12-14).

 

 

 

III. BE STRONG IN THE LORD BY PUTTING ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD – 6:13-17.

 

A. Each Christian Must Put On God’s Armor.

 

1. You must be able to withstand when trials come- 6:13.

 

2. When worn, God’s armor will protect us & assure our victory in Christ!

 

C. The Whole (entire) Armor Must Be Worn:

 

1. The girdle of truth (v. 14):

 

a. Trust in God & your salvation found there – Eph. 1:13.

 

b. Speak truth in love – Eph. 4:15.

 

c. Truth is in Jesus – Eph. 4:21.

 

d. Always speak truthfully – Eph. 4:25.

 

e. The fruit of the Spirit in your life – Eph. 5:9.

 

2. The breastplate of righteousness (v. 14):

 

a. Character of the “new man” – Eph. 4:17-24.

 

b. Holy living protects you against the devil!

 

3. Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace (v. 15):

 

a. To walk in good works of God – Eph. 2:10.

 

b. To walk worthily of our calling – Eph. 4:1.

 

c. To not walk like the lost in the world – Eph. 4:17.

 

d. To walk in love – Eph. 5:1.

 

e. To walk as children of light – Eph. 5:8.

 

f. To walk carefully throughout life – Eph. 5:15.

 

4. The shield of faith (v. 16):

 

a. A faith which is lived & known – Eph. 1:15.

 

b. A faith which relies on God for salvation – Eph. 2:8.

 

c. A faith by which Christ dwells in our heart – Eph. 3:17.

 

d. A faith that is one (united) in Christ – Eph. 4:5, 13.

 

5. The helmet of salvation (v. 17):

 

a. Present reality – Eph. 2:5.

 

b. Future reward – Eph. 1:13.

 

6. The sword of the Spirit…the word of God – (v. 17):

 

a. Secures one’s faith – Eph. 1:13.

 

b. The word of peace Jesus preached – Eph. 2:17-18.

 

c. Revealed, written & understandable – Eph. 3:3-5.

 

d. To be spoken in love – Eph. 4:15.

 

e. By it Christ sanctifies & cleanses His church – Eph. 5:26.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

1. Will you stand in the strength & power of the Lord? Only if you put on His armor……Do it now!

 

2. There is no other protection & no other confidence of victory over sin except in the strength of His might! (Eph. 6:10)