7 Symptoms Christians May Be Dying Spiritually (Part 4)
Symptom #5 – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Powerless Christians)
♦ Christians who feel like they are “running on empty” most of the time. There is no power in your life.
“And (Jesus) came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26: 40-41
CURE: Power in the blood of Christ.
“but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
♦ The “World” is having its way with you. Your testimony has faded to the point you blend in with the crowd which is a bad place to be if you are born-again in Christ.
CURE: In the world but not of it.
“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17
Too many Christians are unwilling to ‘come out and be separate’ and pastors afraid to encourage them to do so. The lost world is looking for differences they can see not hear. Talk is cheap. Walk is not.
Symptom #6 – Loss of Appetite or Cravings for the Wrong Food
♦ You no longer “hunger and thirst after righteousness”. That means you are filling yourself up with “stuff” of the world. What you read, watch , listen to…things you digest.
“For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.” Philippians 3:18-19
The Apostle Paul wrote this to Christians who were not growing in their faith.) “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,” 1 Corinthians 3:2”
CURE:“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:32-35
Symptom #7 – Coronary Artery Disease.
I am one of millions of Americans who suffer from this disease. Part of it may be genetic, but it often results from a poor diet that ingests too many unhealthy fats and too much sugar. I am sure you are quick to see the parallel to sinful lifestyles.
(Jesus speaking)“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. “All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” Mark 7:21-23
CURE:
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
“So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.” Joel 2:13
I chose this prayer of David as our closing because in it he seeks to only Source Who can cure any and all “diseases of the heart” that cause us to live and look like we are dying spiritually.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
For Christ’s sake,
