1. 1 John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”

2. 2 Purpose DefineInstructEncourage

3. 3 Attitude: 1. Manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, esp. of the mind: a negative attitude; group attitudes. 2. Position or posture of the body appropriate to or expressive of an action, emotion, etc.: a threatening attitude; a relaxed attitude. Source: Dictionary.com “Attitude” Defined

4. 4 What should our attitude be toward Spiritual Weakness?

5. 5 Introduction Spiritual weakness is real! It is a challenge! We all have faced it! We must help others face it! –Eph. 6:10 –2 Cor. 10:3-6 –1 Cor. 16:13 Matt. 26:41; 1 Thess. 5:14

6. 6 What We Will Discuss! The meaning of Spiritual Weakness Reasons for Spiritual Weakness Symptoms of Spiritual Weakness Why it is so bad! Proper response to the weak!

7. 7 Understanding the Meaning

8. 8 What Is “Spiritual Weakness”? Paul warned the Corinthians - 1 Cor. 15:58; Eph. 4:11-15 Abraham is an example of what it is NOT : –Left His Country - Gen. 12:1-7 –Offered Isaac - Gen. 22:1-19; Heb. 11:17-19 –Did not stagger - Rom. 4:19 Rom. 8:1-8 Spiritual Weakness - Without Root, Wavering Faith, Immaturity, Disobedience, Staggering At God’s Commands, Doubt, Apathy!

9. 9 Reasons for Spiritual Weakness

10. 10 It Is All of These! Reasons For Spiritual Weakness Spiritual Immaturity: –1 Cor. 3:1-2; Heb. 5:12-13 (1 Pet. 2:2; 1 Thess. 5:14) Distractions of the World: –Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:11-13; Jas. 1:2-3; Heb. 6:9- 11; Gal. 5:1, 7 Being Overcome By Sin: –Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19

11. 11 It Is All of These! Reasons For Spiritual Weakness Not using God’s Word as the standard: –1 Cor. 2:12-16; 11:30 –Prov. 14:12; 16:25 –Isa. 55:8, 9 If not addressed, it evolves into carnality: –1 Cor. 3:1-3 –Rom. 8:5, 7

12. 12 Symptoms of Spiritual Weakness

13. 13 Symptoms of Spiritual Weakness Weakness in Resistance: –To Temptation! Eph. 6:10-16 –To Error! Eph. 4:14 (Rom. 1:16; 1 Pet. 3:15) Weakness in Spiritual Appetite: –Matt. 5:6; Jn. 6:27 Weak Estimating Ability & Responsibility: –Matt. 25:18 (Phil. 4:13)

14. 14 Why is Spiritual Weakness Bad?

15. 15 Why is Spiritual Weakness Bad? If Left Unattended It Becomes Willful Sin! –Heb. 10:26 –Health of Physical Body - Spiritual Body Diet - Jn. 6:27 Exercise - 1 Tim. 4:7, 8 If not these, will eventually lead to spiritual death! –Rom. 6:23 It is Contagious! –Num. 13:1-14:10 –1 Cor. 5:1-8

16. 16 Response to the Weak

17. 17 Proper Response to the Weak Support the Weak! –Lk. 13:6-9 –1 Thess. 5:14; Rom. 15:1 Try to Restore the Fallen! –Gal. 6:1-2 Pray for the Weak! –1 Jn. 5:15-16

18. 18 Conclusion! Spiritual weakness is real! It is a challenge! We all have and will face it! We must help others face it!

19. 19 Galatians 6:1, 2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.