Spiritual Sickness Part 2 Some signs The cure

Spiritual Sickness (Part 2) (Some signs/ The cure)

The format of today’s study �There will be some questions for you to consider. � Try your best to answer these questions of yourself as honestly as possible. �For the 2 nd part of the lesson, we will examine Scripture to see how we may overcome these weaknesses.

Questions to ask of myself � What is my attitude towards authority? � Do I find myself resenting authority? � Do I find myself looking for alternate means of authority outside the Bible?

Questions to ask of myself � How do I interact with others? � Do I have trouble resisting peer pressure? � Do I harbor feelings of neglect? � Am I constantly looking for something of which to be critical?

Questions to ask of myself � Reactions to spiritual activity? � What are my preferences? � Is it difficult for me to engage in spiritual activity?

Questions to ask of myself � What is my attitude toward sin? � Do I find myself growing comfortable with sin? � Do I try and minimize sin? � Am I more focused on the one correcting than the one in need of correction?

We must humble ourselves… � When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. Prov 11: 2 � A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. Prov 18: 2 � Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. 9 The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. Psalms 25: 8 -9

Am I constantly looking for something of which to be critical? � (We all need to be willing to take earnest direction) � Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored. Prov 13: 18 (NKJV) � He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Prov 29: 1(NKJV)

Am I constantly looking for something of which to be critical? � Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. Eccl 5: 2 (NKJV) � Proverbs 11: 2, 15: 1 -4, 26: 12; Galatians 5: 13 -15 � Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Eph 4: 29 (NKJV) � Do all things without complaining and disputing Phil 2: 14 (NKJV) � …bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Col 3: 13 (NKJV)

Reactions to spiritual activity; what are my preferences? � Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 1 Cor 13: 4 -6 (NKJV) � For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. James 3: 16 (NKJV) � And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. Eph 5: 18 -21 (NKJV)

Is it difficult for me to engage in spiritual activity? � And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD. 2 Chron 12: 14 (NKJV) � You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16: 11 (NKJV) � Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! 4 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! 5 Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, Psalms 105: 3 -5 (NKJV) � Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! Psalms 119: 2 (NKJV)

Is it difficult for me to engage in spiritual activity? � I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. Prov 8: 17 (NKJV) � And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jer 29: 13 (NKJV) � The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. Lam 3: 25 (NKJV) � Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Col 3: 16 -17 (NKJV)

Do I find myself growing comfortable with sin? � Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down, " says the LORD. Jer 6: 15 (NKJV) � Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed, Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; In the time of their punishment They shall be cast down, " says the LORD. Jer 8: 12 (NKJV) � Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron 1 Tim 4: 1 -2 (NKJV) � Ezra 9: 1 -6; Nehemiah 8: 8 -12…

Am I more focused on the one correcting than the one in need of correction? � He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. Prov 10: 17 (NKJV) � Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. Romans 16: 17 (NKJV) � Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Gal 6: 1 (NKJV)

Am I more focused on the one correcting than the one in need of correction? � Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. 1 Tim 5: 20 (NKJV) � Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 2 Tim 4: 2 (NKJV) � But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. Titus 3: 9 -11 (NKJV) � James 5: 19 -20, This should be the whole reason for our reaching out to anyone!

Conclusion � We’ve been seeking to diagnose any areas of spiritual sickness within ourselves. � Not just to find fault, but to see where we might be missing out on some wonderful blessings. � We also want to inspire a true hunger for Bible study; realizing that God’s word DOES provide all the answers we are searching for! � What does God say about any potential I may have, or am neglecting to develop? � Am I constantly looking for something of which to be critical? � What are my reactions to spiritual activities (My preference; Difficult to engage)? � What is my attitude toward sin?