[Biblemat] S:> Spiritual Weakness
Ethan R. Longhenry
disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com
Mon Sep 10 18:14:08 CDT 2007
http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/outlines/index.html
Spiritual Weakness
I. Introduction
A. Hebrews 5:12-6:2
1. If one can be spiritually strong, one can be spiritually
weak
2. The Hebrews had not lived up to the potential they had
B. Spiritual weakness unfortunately often prevalent
C. A topic worthy of consideration
1. What is spiritual weakness?
2. What are the reasons for it?
3. What is to be done about it?
4. What are the dangers of it?
D. Let us consider this today
II. What is Spiritual Weakness?
A. Three aspects of spiritual weakness
B. "Absolute" weakness: the state of being immature in the faith
1. Reasons for it discussed below
2. 1 Corinthians 8, Romans 15:1
C. "Momentary" weakness: having a "weak" or "low" point in one's
faith
1. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
2. Recognition of Christianity as journey, sometimes difficult
times happen
3. On account of trials, difficulties, etc., we may have a weak
moment in the faith
4. Could be true equally of those "absolutely" strong or weak
in the faith
D. "Relative" or "doctrinal" weakness: not having faith in a given
practice
1. Romans 14 especially
2. The "weak" are those who do not have conviction in the
propriety of a given action (Romans 14:1-3, 23)
3. Such persons could be "absolutely" strong or weak
4. Such ones are to be respected, and are to respect those who
have confidence in the liberty (Romans 14:2-3, 12-14)
5. Matters of "food and drink", not righteousness, peace, and
joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17)
E. We will focus on "absolute" weakness for the duration of the
lesson
F. Realization must exist, of course, of inconsistent development
1. As humans, we have our strengths and weaknesses generally
2. Each has their own talents (1 Corinthians 12:12-28,
Romans 12:4-8)
3. Realization, then, that each person will likely be strong in
some aspects of the faith and weaker in others
III. Reasons for Spiritual Weakness
A. What causes spiritual weakness?
B. Newly born or young in the faith
1. Just as all human beings are born physically in a weak and
dependent state, thus those who are born again spiritually
start out weak and dependent (John 3:1-5,
1 Corinthians 8:7, 11)
2. Just as humans physically need time to grow and develop and
learn, so do those spiritually reborn (2 Peter 3:18,
Matthew 28:19-20)
3. Such ones should be given time to grow and the tools by which
they may develop; such ones themselves, however, must realize
that their growth is dependent on them (2 Peter 3:18)!
C. Spiritual indolence
1. There are many who are spiritually weak not because of lack
of time in the faith but on account of lack of effort!
2. While physical growth and development is a given if one lives
for a certain amount of time, such is not true spiritually!
3. Hebrews 5:12-6:2
4. The Hebrew brethren, by all accounts, should have been
strong, if not the strongest, having heard the Gospel for
over 30 years
5. Nevertheless, they had need to be fed on spiritual milk!
6. You only gain strength in the faith by applying yourself to
spiritual things (2 Peter 3:18, Titus 3:8, etc.)!
D. Spiritual complacency
1. Others are weak or become weak on account of becoming
spiritually complacent
2. Many think that they have "arrived" in some way or another,
and stop being as diligent in the faith as before
3. Revelation 2:1-7: Ephesus called upon to return to their
"first love"
4. They were to do the works they did "at the first"
5. Many today ought to return to the beginnings of their walk
with God and return to the love and zeal they once had!
E. Spiritual Delusion
1. Others are weak because they believe that they are stronger
than they are, deceiving themselves, and feeling as if they
do not need to change
2. Galatians 6:3-5 warns against this
3. James 1:22-25 does also
4. Revelation 3:14-22: Laodicea believed itself to be strong
when they were in fact weak, about to be cast off by the
Lord!
5. Such weakness is dangerous, since it is wrapped up in the
pretense of strength
6. Let us judge sober judgment regarding our own state!
IV. Solutions to Spiritual Weakness
A. Having seen the reasons for spiritual weakness, what is to be
done to gain strength?
B. Recognizing weakness
1. 2 Corinthians 13:5, James 1:22-25
2. One has to first recognize the condition he or she is in
3. There must be humility present to accept the idea that one
is not where one ought to be
4. If one refuses to believe that he or she is weak, the proper
form of growth is not going to be present!
C. Repentance
1. Luke 13:3,5; Acts 3:19, Acts 8:22, Acts 17:30
2. We speak of repentance within God's plan of salvation, and
this is right
3. Repentance does not end, however, at baptism
4. Repentance: Greek metanoeo: change of mind
5. If the weak are to grow in the faith, they must realize the
weakness, and then make the mental determination to grow and
develop as they ought (2 Peter 3:18)
6. If there is no change of mind toward change, growth will
not occur
D. Fruit Worthy of Repentance
1. Matthew 3:8, Acts 26:20
2. It is not enough to simply change the mind!
3. There is an expectation that there will be fruit of growth
in the faith
4. Such can be seen in different ways
5. More knowledge of God (2 Peter 3:18, 2 Timothy 2:15)
6. More fruit of Spirit, less works of the flesh
(Galatians 5:17-24)
7. More presence and devotion to the saints, less worldliness
(Hebrews 10:24-25, Romans 12:10-13)
8. More work to promote the Gospel in one's life
(Matthew 5:13-16)
E. When the realization of weakness is there, the mind is changed,
and the actions follow, spiritual growth occurs
V. Dangers of Spiritual Weakness
A. Why, however, should we do such things?
B. There are many dangers associated with spiritual weakness
C. Temptation of the Devil
1. 1 Peter 5:8
2. Let us consider Peter's imagery: the lion
3. Who does the lion attack first-- weak or strong prey?
4. The weak prey are attacked first
5. Such is no less true in spiritual terms
6. Those who are weak in the faith are more easily seduced by
the Devil and fall away (Hebrews 3:12-14)
D. Led away into the world or by false teachers
1. James 4:1-7, 2 Peter 2:14
2. Those who are weak are more likely to compromise with the
world, act in worldly ways, and therefore be at enmity
with God
3. The truth of God may be too severe for those who are weak,
and those who teach smooth things easily entrap them
E. Sins of omission
1. Those who are weak are also more likely to not be doing what
they ought to do!
2. James 4:17
3. Matthew 5:13-16
4. Galatians 6:10
5. Many other such things are left undone
6. The result? Consider the "one talent" servant in
Matthew 25:14-30
7. Loss of one's soul
F. Loss of salvation
1. All the other dangers get wrapped up in this one
2. To be seduced by the Devil and fall away is to lose
salvation!
3. To return to the world or follow false teachers leads to
the same!
4. Sins of omission without repentance also condemn!
5. While spiritual strength is no sure antidote to all of these,
the weak place themselves in much greater danger of losing
their salvation!
G. Such are grave dangers to consider
H. Let us grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ,
having put on the full armor of God (2 Peter 3:18,
Ephesians 6:10-18)!
VI. Conclusion
A. We have examined spiritual weakness today
1. We have seen what it is and the reasons for it
2. We have seen what is to be done about it
3. We have seen the dangers attendant to it
B. Remaining spiritually weak is never established as the goal
for any believer in the New Testament
C. Let us all press on to strength and maturity in Christ!
D. Invitation/songbook
Ethan R. Longhenry/ disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com
Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio
(http://www.norwalkchurch.org)
Website: http://www.deusvitae.com
AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ#: 28317056
MSN Messenger ID: deusvitae at hotmail.com
Yahoo! Messenger ID: discipuliiesus
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