“All men are liars”

“Take my

life God, I’m no good”

“All my work

is for nothing”

“I c

urse

the

day

of m

y b

irth”

“Nobody cares”

“I’ll just run away”

When Christians Get Discouraged

Numbers 21:4; Galatians 6:9

Introduction:• In the enemy’s arsenal, discouragement is In the enemy’s arsenal, discouragement is

one of the most destructive weapons they one of the most destructive weapons they have. have. Num. 21:4; Gal. 6:9Num. 21:4; Gal. 6:9

• But we have God’s Word to inform and But we have God’s Word to inform and equip us for everything. equip us for everything.

Eph. 6:10ff; 2 Cor. 2:11; 2 Pet. 1:3-4Eph. 6:10ff; 2 Cor. 2:11; 2 Pet. 1:3-4

When Discouraged, We Do Many Wrong Things

• We We PrayPray the Wrong Kind of Prayers… the Wrong Kind of Prayers…– Moses: Moses: Numbers 11:15Numbers 11:15– Elijah: Elijah: 1 Kings 19:3-41 Kings 19:3-4

• We We SaySay the Wrong Things… the Wrong Things…– Job: Job: Job 3:1Job 3:1– David: David: Psalm 116:11Psalm 116:11

“Listen to

God!”

When Discouraged, We Do Many Wrong Things

• We We ThinkThink the Wrong Things… the Wrong Things…– John in prison: John in prison: Matthew 11:2-3Matthew 11:2-3– Mary & Martha: Mary & Martha: John 11:21, 32John 11:21, 32

• We We DoDo the Wrong Things… the Wrong Things…– Moses: Moses: Numbers 20:8-12Numbers 20:8-12– Elijah: Elijah: 1 Kings 19:31 Kings 19:3

“Listen to

God!”

When Discouraged, We Do Many Wrong Things

• We We SeeSee the Wrong Things… the Wrong Things…– Giants instead of God: Giants instead of God: Numbers 13:30-33Numbers 13:30-33– Difficulties instead of the power of God: Difficulties instead of the power of God: Mark 5:30-31Mark 5:30-31

• We We Get IntoGet Into the Wrong Place… the Wrong Place…– Jonah: Jonah: Jonah 1:17Jonah 1:17– Elijah: under the broom tree:Elijah: under the broom tree: 1 Kings 19:41 Kings 19:4

“Listen to

God!”

When Discouraged, We Do Many Wrong Things

• We We Get IntoGet Into the Wrong the Wrong SpiritSpirit……– Spirit of Defeatism. Spirit of Defeatism.

• Elijah: Elijah: Romans 11:3; cf. 1 Thes. 3:2Romans 11:3; cf. 1 Thes. 3:2– Spirit of Murmurings. Spirit of Murmurings. Philippians 2:14Philippians 2:14– Spirit of Grouchiness. Spirit of Grouchiness. John 16:33John 16:33– Spirit of Criticism. Spirit of Criticism. Luke 9:49-50Luke 9:49-50

“Listen to

God!”

When Discouraged, Don’t Respond with Wrong Things

• Don’t… – Pray the wrong kind of prayers– Say the wrong things– Think the wrong things– Do the wrong things– See the wrong things– Get into wrong places– Get in the wrong spirit

“Listen to

God!”

When Discouraged, Let God Help You!

• So many things can get us down, one God and Savior who can get us up! Phil. 4:4

• When we get discouraged we need to:– Admit to ourselves that we’re discouraged.– Read and seek encouragement and direction

from the Bible. Joshua 1:9; Prov. 3:5-6– Pray truthfully confessing to God your

discouragement. Matthew 7:7– Speak with a close Christian friend, elder,

minister, etc. who can help guide you out of discouragement. James 5:16

“Listen to

God!”

Salvation Can Be Yours!

• Come to Jesus and be saved. Come to Jesus and be saved. 2 Tim. 2:102 Tim. 2:10• How…How…

– Hearing Him. Hearing Him. Mt. 7:21; 17:5Mt. 7:21; 17:5– Believe the gospel. Believe the gospel. Rom. 1:16; Mk. 16:16Rom. 1:16; Mk. 16:16– Repent of sin. Repent of sin. Luke 13:3Luke 13:3– Confess faith in Jesus Confess faith in Jesus Acts 8:37Acts 8:37– Baptism Baptism Rom. 6:3-6 Rom. 6:3-6

“I’ll

Follow Je

sus!”