Understanding

Spiritual Weakness

Jude 20-25

The Problem

is Real! • It’s why we have such admonitions as found

in Jude 20-25.

• Spiritual weakness (anemia) is real and it challenges Christians.

• We must face it in our life and help others. 1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:10

• Jesus warned us about this. Mt. 26:41

• We must be of help. 1 Thes. 5:14

What is

Spiritual Weakness? • Spiritually strong is to be ruled by the Holy

Spirit (living by God’s teaching)... Romans 8:1-8 – And worldly minded is to be ruled by the flesh.

• Spiritual weakness then is a mind ruled by fleshly/worldly thinking... Romans 4:19

–Little wavering faith… Matthew 6:30; Jas. 1:6

• So let us understand about this problem by seeing the reasons for it, how to recognize, and remedy it.

Reasons For

Spiritual Weakness: • Spiritually immature (undeveloped). 1 Cor. 3:1-3

–Unskilled and must grow. Hebrews 5:12-13

–Must grow to strength through the word of God! 1 Peter 2:2; 1 John 2:14

• Distracted by the world.

–Temptations to sin will attack when we’re vulnerable! 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 Cor. 10:12-13

–Trials test us. James 1:2-3

–Error hinders your strength. Gal. 5:1, 7

Reasons For

Spiritual Weakness: • Being overcome by sin... Galatians 6:1

– Turns into spiritual death. Jas. 5:19-20

• Not using God’s word to judge what is right. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; 1 Tim. 1:8 – Failure to do this caused many to be weak.

1 Cor. 11:30

• If left alone spiritual weakness becomes carnality. 1 Cor. 3:1-3 – We must choose to be ruled by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:5, 7

Recognizing

Spiritual Weakness: • Weak in resistance:

– To temptation… Eph. 6:10, 13, 16; 1 Jn. 2:14

– To error. Eph. 4:14

• Never be ashamed of truth. Rom. 1:16

• Weak in appetite: Mt. 5:6; Jn. 6:27

– Many weak Christians have a strong appetite for other things like ball games, recreation, and entertainment but need the desire for solid food! Heb. 5:14

– Need a priority check. Mt. 6:33

– Need to learn and live God’s word. 2 Tim. 2:15

Recognizing

Spiritual Weakness:

• Weak in estimating your ability & responsibility:

Matthew 25:18

–When asked to help in the work of the Lord he replies: “I can’t.”

–The strong says, “I can try”! Phil. 4:13

Spiritual Weakness Is

Bad! • Because if left unattended it becomes willful

sin! Hebrews 10:26-27

– God has made provisions for us to grow and get spiritual growth and strength. 2 Peter 3:18

– The church. Hebrews 10:22-25

• Because it is contagious! Gal. 5:9

– It influences and discourages others. Num. 32:6-7

Remedies For the

Spiritually Weak • Do what you can do... Luke 13:6-9

– Support the weak. 1 Thes. 5:14

–Help them grow through Bible study. 6-9

– Set good examples for them to see. 1 Tim. 4:12

– Try to restore those that have fallen. Gal. 6:1-2

– Teach, correct, warn, & rebuke them. 2 Timothy 2:24-26

–Pray for them. James 5:16

What To Do About

Spiritual Weakness • The Responsibility of the weak is to grow in

personal faith! Jude 20-21

• Your Responsibility toward the weak: In mercy & compassion, try to help strengthen & save them! Jude 22-23

• You must also rely on God who is able to keep us from stumbling & present us without blemish in His presence! Jude 24