1. Spiritual Weakness Anemia of the Soul

2. 2 Be Strong in the Lord Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 1 Cor. 16:13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Eph. 6:10 The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matt. 26:41 …Uphold the weak… 1 Ths. 5:14 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 1 Cor. 16:13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Eph. 6:10 The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matt. 26:41 …Uphold the weak… 1 Ths. 5:14

3. 3 Spiritual Weakness? Weak in faith, Rom. 4:19 Worldly minded, Rom. 8:1-8 –Ruled by the flesh instead of by the Spirit Weak in faith, Rom. 4:19 Worldly minded, Rom. 8:1-8 –Ruled by the flesh instead of by the Spirit

4. 4 Reasons for Spiritual Weakness Immaturity, 1 Cor. 3:1-2 –Undeveloped spiritually –Unskilled in word; must grow, Heb. 5:12-13 –Grow by the word of God, 1 Pet. 2:2; 1 Jno. 2:14 Immaturity, 1 Cor. 3:1-2 –Undeveloped spiritually –Unskilled in word; must grow, Heb. 5:12-13 –Grow by the word of God, 1 Pet. 2:2; 1 Jno. 2:14

5. 5 Reasons for Spiritual Weakness Distractions, Matt. 26:41 –Temptations, Jno. 18:18 Armor of God, Eph.6:11-13 –Trials, Jas. 1:2-3 Remain diligent, Heb. 6:9-11 –Error, Gal. 5:1, 7 Stand in truth, 1 Cor. 16:13 Distractions, Matt. 26:41 –Temptations, Jno. 18:18 Armor of God, Eph.6:11-13 –Trials, Jas. 1:2-3 Remain diligent, Heb. 6:9-11 –Error, Gal. 5:1, 7 Stand in truth, 1 Cor. 16:13

6. 6 Reasons for Spiritual Weakness Overcome by sin, Gal. 6:1 –Sin turns weakness into spiritual death, Jas. 5:19-20 –Weakness can become an excuse for sin –Left unaddressed, weakness becomes sin! Overcome by sin, Gal. 6:1 –Sin turns weakness into spiritual death, Jas. 5:19-20 –Weakness can become an excuse for sin –Left unaddressed, weakness becomes sin!

7. 7 Reasons for Spiritual Weakness Not using God’s word, 1 Cor. 2:12-16 –Spiritual person uses the “mind of Christ” (revealed truth) to judge right & wrong –Failure to do so is weakness, 1 Cor.11:30 Not using God’s word, 1 Cor. 2:12-16 –Spiritual person uses the “mind of Christ” (revealed truth) to judge right & wrong –Failure to do so is weakness, 1 Cor.11:30

8. 8 Reasons for Spiritual Weakness Left alone, weakness becomes carnality, 1 Co. 3:1-3 –We must choose to be ruled by the Spirit of God by obeying truth, Rom. 8:5, 7 –If not, we are choosing the flesh & spiritual death Left alone, weakness becomes carnality, 1 Co. 3:1-3 –We must choose to be ruled by the Spirit of God by obeying truth, Rom. 8:5, 7 –If not, we are choosing the flesh & spiritual death

9. 9 Symptoms of Spiritual Weakness Weak in resistance –To temptation, Eph. 6:10,13,17 “Everyone is weak” We can be strong, 1 Jno. 2:14 –To error, Eph. 4:14 Weakness causes shame & fear Rom. 1:16; 1 Pet. 3:15 Weak in resistance –To temptation, Eph. 6:10,13,17 “Everyone is weak” We can be strong, 1 Jno. 2:14 –To error, Eph. 4:14 Weakness causes shame & fear Rom. 1:16; 1 Pet. 3:15

10. 10 Symptoms of Spiritual Weakness Weak in appetite –For righteousness, Matt. 5:6; Jno. 6:26-27 Appetite for the flesh, but not for the spirit Solid food, 1 Cor. 3:2 Check priorities, Matt. 6:33 God’s word, 2 Tim. 2:15 Weak in appetite –For righteousness, Matt. 5:6; Jno. 6:26-27 Appetite for the flesh, but not for the spirit Solid food, 1 Cor. 3:2 Check priorities, Matt. 6:33 God’s word, 2 Tim. 2:15

11. 11 Symptoms of Spiritual Weakness Weak in estimating responsibility & using ability, Matt. 25:18, 25 –Weakness says, “I can’t” –Strength says, “I’ll try…I can” (Phil. 4:13) Weak in estimating responsibility & using ability, Matt. 25:18, 25 –Weakness says, “I can’t” –Strength says, “I’ll try…I can” (Phil. 4:13)

12. 12 Why is Spiritual Weakness so bad? Left alone it becomes willful sin, Heb. 10:26 Contagious, Gal. 5:9 –Discourages, Num. 32:6-7 –“No one goes to heaven or hell by himself.” Left alone it becomes willful sin, Heb. 10:26 Contagious, Gal. 5:9 –Discourages, Num. 32:6-7 –“No one goes to heaven or hell by himself.”

13. 13 Responses to the Spiritual Weakness Support the weak, 1 Ths.5:14 –Do not ignore, excuse or rationalize spiritual weakness –“Keep oneself directly opposite to any one…paying heed” Help them grow (Lk. 13:6-9) Set good examples (1 Tim. 4:12) Support the weak, 1 Ths.5:14 –Do not ignore, excuse or rationalize spiritual weakness –“Keep oneself directly opposite to any one…paying heed” Help them grow (Lk. 13:6-9) Set good examples (1 Tim. 4:12)

14. 14 Responses to the Spiritual Weakness Restore fallen, Gal. 6:1-2 –Teach, correct, warn & rebuke 2 Tim. 2:24-26 Pray for weak, 1 Jno.5:15-16 Restore fallen, Gal. 6:1-2 –Teach, correct, warn & rebuke 2 Tim. 2:24-26 Pray for weak, 1 Jno.5:15-16

15. 15 Jude 20-25 Responsibility of weak: –Grow, 20-21 Responsibility toward weak: –In mercy & compassion help strengthen & save, 22-23 Rely on God –He is able, 24-25 Responsibility of weak: –Grow, 20-21 Responsibility toward weak: –In mercy & compassion help strengthen & save, 22-23 Rely on God –He is able, 24-25