Discouragement # 1a

     We’re going to pick up where we left off a few weeks ago. Last time we said that Discouragement is 1 of the biggest areas that the enemy will try to trip us up. We get discouraged in many different areas, it might be in your health, in your job, in your finances, it might be in ministry, maybe you fell that things aren’t happening as fast as they should be.

     I. If the enemy can get you into discouragement and keep you there, you’ll feel like giving up.

              A. An attitude will begin to grow on the inside of you that says, “What’s the use, what sense is there in me continuing to stand on the Word of God.”

                        1. This kind of attitude and thought process will keep you from the vision and dream that God has given you.

                        2. Something else that comes along with discouragement is complacency and a loss of zeal for the things of God.

              B. As the discouragement continues you will lose hope and depression will set in.

                        1. It’s important that we put a stop to discouragement before it begins to grow.

                        2. The Word of God shows us how to defeat discouragement, but it’s not going to come without some effort on your part.

                                  a. You have to be a doer of the Word.

     II. Last time we said, 1st “Don’t give in to it.”

              A. (JAM 4:7) Says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

                        1. When we use the word “Resist” I think that we have the idea that it means, “Not accepting something,” it means that but it goes a little further.

                                  a. In the Greek it has a little stronger meaning, it means, “to set one’s self against, to withstand, resist, and to oppose.”

                                           i. It doesn’t just means, “Don’t except it.” It means “Come against it.”

                                  b. Many times we give into Discouragement by meditating on it.

                                           i. James tells us to set ourselves against, resist, oppose and come against those thought.

                                  c. (2COR 10:5) Says, “Casting down imaginations.”

                                           i. “Imaginations” means “Thoughts and Reasoning.”

                                           ii. Paul is exhorting us to take control of our thought life, especially when it’s contrary to the Word of God.

                        2. (1PE 5:7) Says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (KJV)

              B. The 2nd thing that in necessary in getting out of discouragement and depression is, “Don’t get your eyes off the Lord.”

                        1. When we get our eyes off the Lord, we opening the door for failure and disappointment.

                                  a. We remember the story of Peter when he walked on the water.

                                           i. When he kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on the water, above the waves and the storm, above the problems.

                                           ii. But as soon as he got his eyes off Jesus the problem began to overtake him.

                                  b. This is a time when the enemy can get in and bring discouragement and depression.

              C. Even is Jesus life on Earth, when He needed something, like feeding the multitude, He 1st looked to heaven before the answer would come. (MATT 14:17-20)

                        1. Jesus knew where the answer comes from and where you find fulfillment.

                        2. (HEB 12:2) Says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”

                                  a. No matter how bad thing seem, we need to keep looking to the Lord Jesus Christ.

     III. But we can’t stop there, 3rd “Apply the promises of God.” 2COR 1:20

              A. This V means that if you ask God for a promise He says, Yes.

                        1. Many Christians don’t experience God’s blessings in their lives because they fail to appropriate His promises concerning their personal needs.

              B. We need to realize that God’s promises apply to our every need. We need to read them, remember them, meditate on them, and claim them as ours.

                        1. Sometimes the world tries to give you a negative report, but (ROM 3:4) says, “Let God be true, but every man a liar.”

                                  a. Often the Bible tells us that our God is a God of Truth.

                                  b. Even in (2 TIM 2 15) it says that the Bible is the Word of Truth.

                                           i. The word “Truth” means “That which is true, a reality, a fact, a certainty.”

     IV. 4TH “Remember that God is with you and that He will never leave you.” MAT 28:20

              A. Facts and Faith are more important than feelings. We may not always FEEL the presence of God, but the FACT of the matter is still the same, He is always with us.

                        1. (HEB 13:5) Says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

              B. We need to spend our time in the Presence of God, Praising Him and believe that He is there even when we don’t feel His presence.

                        1. To do that, is an act of faith in Him and to praise Him even brings God closer.

                        2. (JAM 4:8) Says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”

     V. 5th “FOLLOW AFTER the PEACE OF GOD”. PSA. 34:14

              A. The word “PURSUE” means “To Follow After, Aim to Secure, Chase, and To Run After.”

                        1. Many times people don’t put the peace of God to work in their lives because they don’t feel it and don’t know where to find it.

              B. But we need to recognize that His peace is available to them at all times.

                        1. Turn to COL 3:15

                                  a. The NIV Says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”

                                  b. He’s saying let your hearts be filled with peace. (Let God’s Peace fill your hearts.) Let’s God’s peace be in control, rather than fear and turmoil.

                                           i. This V is also referring to Letting the peace of God direct you, or control your steps.

                                  c. There are different ways that God directs you.

                                           i. 1st The highest authority of direction in from the Word of God. (There is no debating it.)

                                           ii. 2nd the voice of God down to the inward witness.

                                           iii. 3rd the Peace that you have. Sometimes we have a false peace.

                                                     a. Sometimes we use the phrase, “I have a peace about it,” just because it’s what someone else thinks we should do.

                                                     b. It’s easier to say that you have a peace, then it is to stand up and say, “That’s wrong.”

                                                               i. A note on the opposite, sometimes people will say that they don’t have a peace about it, because it means work.

                                                               ii. Be led by the Word of God and not by feelings and calling it a peace or lack of peace.

                        2. (PHI 4:7) Says, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

                                  a. God’s peace will keep our hearts and minds from Discouragement and depression.

                        3. ISA 26:3

                                  a. Literally, what this V translates into English is, “Thou wilt keep him in PEACE peace.”

                                  b. The Hebrew for the words “Peace” here means “completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, safety, health, prosperity, and contentment.”

                        4. When you know that you have the Peace of God in your lives, Discouragement and depression can’t set in.

     VI. 6TH “PROCLAIM the WORD OF GOD.”

              A. (MAT 28:18) Says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (KJV)

                        1. If we proclaim or confess the word of God, we release the power of God.

                        2. REV 12:11, REV 19:15

                                  a. (HEB 4:12) says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

                        B. Millions of people talk about horsepower, atomic power, and nuclear power but let’s stop playing with firecrackers and talk about some real power, the Power of God.

                                  1. Lets proclaim the power of God by confessing the Word of God.

                                  2. Paul made this confession in (PHI 4:13) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (KJV)

     VII. 7TH “DON’T GIVE UP” (MAT 10:22) SAYS, “He that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (KJV)

              A. In the book of (EPH) Paul said “When you’ve done all to stand, keep on standing.”

              B. ISA 61:3 We’re told here to put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. If you feel that discouragement coming on start to praise the Lord.

     VIII. 8th Don’t speak out your discouragement. PSA 105:2

              A. When people are discouraged, they are usually negative, and the more negative they are the more discouraged they become.

              B. We need to be positive. Look for the good, and not the bad. speak the positive, not the negative.

                        1. (PHI 4:4) Says, “Rejoice in the Lord always: {and} again I say, Rejoice.” (KJV)

                        2. There is well over 50 times that the Bible tells us to rejoice.

                                  a. (ISA 61:10) Says, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God.”

                        6. If we put our trust in the Lord, no one will be able to steal our joy.

                                  a. JOH 16:22-24

TFC and WOLCC SUN 12/29/91 AM and WOLCC SUN AM 4/14/96