When Christians Become

Discouraged

Get Ready, Discouragement Will Come!

• The Problem of Discouragement:– Israelites became discouraged… Num. 21:4– God tells us not to grow discouraged… Gal. 6:9

• The Devil has an arsenal of weapons. – Discouragement is one of the most productive and

destructive weapons he uses. Ephesians 6:11; Romans 10:17; Luke 8:12

– 2 Corinthians 2:11 “that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan:

for we are not ignorant of his devices.” ASV

When We Become Discouraged, We Do Many Wrong Things…

• We Pray The Wrong Kind Of Prayers…– Moses: Prayed to die - Numbers 11:15– Elijah: Prayed to die – 1 Kings 19:3

• We Say The Wrong Things…– Job: Cursed the day of his birth - Job 3:1– David : Said, “All men are liars” Psalm 116:11

When We Become Discouraged, We Do Many Wrong Things…

• We Think The Wrong Things…– John: Doubted Jesus was the Christ – Matt. 11:2-3– Mary and Martha: John 11:21

• We Do The Wrong Things…– Moses: Smote the rock – Numbers 20:8-12– Elijah: Ran away – 1 Kings 19:3

• We See The Wrong Things…– Giants Instead of God - Num. 13:30-33– Difficulties Instead of the Power of God Mark 5:30-31

• We Get Into The Wrong Place…– Jonah: Went the wrong way and got into the big

fish! Jonah 1:17– Elijah: Under the broom tree – 1 Kings 19:4

• We Get Into The Wrong Spirit…– Spirit of Defeatism: Romans 11:3; 1 Thes. 3:2– Spirit of Murmurings: Phil. 2:14– Spirit of Grouchiness: Opposite of cheer Jn. 16:33– Spirit of Criticism: Luke 9:49-50

When We Become Discouraged, We Do Many Wrong Things…

The Cures For Discouragement• Many things can get us down… One God can get us up! Phil. 4:4, 13• When Discouraged we need to…– Acknowledge that we are discouraged. – Read and seek direction from the Bible.– Pray truthfully, confessing discouragement to God.– Speak with a close Christian friend, minister, etc. who

can help guide you out of your discouragement.• 10 Rules For Getting Rid of Discouragement:– Go do something good for someone else, then repeat it

nine more times! Acts 20:35

Be Encouraged In Jesus

• He will save you! Acts 16:30-31• Be encouraged, through Christ - Col. 2:1-3• Come to Jesus to be saved…–Hear and believe the gospel – John 6:45–Repent of sinning – Acts 2:38–Confess Jesus – Acts 8:37–Be Baptized into Christ - Gal. 3:27; 2 Tim. 2:10–Be faithful to Jesus – Eph. 6:6; Rev. 2:10