Strong Reasons against Spiritual Discouragement (1)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.—1 Thess. 5:16-18
There is no reason, which the wisdom from above allows to be a reason, why believers should be discouraged. There is not only no reason for it, but there are strong reasons against it. Consider:
(1) Discouragement indisposes a man to all good duties; it makes him like an instrument out of tune, and like a body out of joint, that moves painfully. It makes one unfit for duties to God, who loves a cheerful giver, and especially a thanks-giver. Also, in our duties to men, if the spirit be dejected, they are unwelcome, and lose the greatest part of their life and grace; a cheerful and a free spirit in duty is that which is most accepted. We observe not so much what is done, as from what affection a thing is done.
(2) Spiritual discouragement is a great wrong to God himself, and it makes us think dark thoughts of him, as if he were an enemy. It is like injuring and calling into question a generous father, who has given many gracious evidences of his favour and love!
(3) So it makes a man forgetful of all former blessings and stops the influence of God's grace for the time present and for that to come.
(4) So, again, for receiving of good, it makes us unfit to receive mercies. A quiet soul is the seat of wisdom; therefore, meekness is required for the receiving of that 'engrafted word which is able to save our souls' (James 1:21). Until the Spirit of God meekens the soul, say what you will, it minds nothing; the soul is not quiet enough to receive the seed of the word. It is useless to sow in a storm; so, a stormy spirit will not allow the word to take root. When we cast ourselves down sullenly, and neglect our spiritual comforts, or undervalue them, it proceeds from pride. When we think to ourselves, 'Why should it be so with us?’ As if we were wiser to dispose of ourselves than God is. Satan has never more advantage than when we are discontent.
(1) Discouragement indisposes a man to all good duties; it makes him like an instrument out of tune, and like a body out of joint, that moves painfully. It makes one unfit for duties to God, who loves a cheerful giver, and especially a thanks-giver. Also, in our duties to men, if the spirit be dejected, they are unwelcome, and lose the greatest part of their life and grace; a cheerful and a free spirit in duty is that which is most accepted. We observe not so much what is done, as from what affection a thing is done.
(2) Spiritual discouragement is a great wrong to God himself, and it makes us think dark thoughts of him, as if he were an enemy. It is like injuring and calling into question a generous father, who has given many gracious evidences of his favour and love!
(3) So it makes a man forgetful of all former blessings and stops the influence of God's grace for the time present and for that to come.
(4) So, again, for receiving of good, it makes us unfit to receive mercies. A quiet soul is the seat of wisdom; therefore, meekness is required for the receiving of that 'engrafted word which is able to save our souls' (James 1:21). Until the Spirit of God meekens the soul, say what you will, it minds nothing; the soul is not quiet enough to receive the seed of the word. It is useless to sow in a storm; so, a stormy spirit will not allow the word to take root. When we cast ourselves down sullenly, and neglect our spiritual comforts, or undervalue them, it proceeds from pride. When we think to ourselves, 'Why should it be so with us?’ As if we were wiser to dispose of ourselves than God is. Satan has never more advantage than when we are discontent.
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Soul's Conflict with Itself, Works, vol. 1, pp. 143-44
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
The Soul's Conflict with Itself, Works, vol. 1, pp. 143-44
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
Categories
Recent
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 22
December 22nd, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 21
December 21st, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 20
December 20th, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 19
December 19th, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 18
December 18th, 2024
2024
January
One Thing (1)One Thing (2)Our Thoughts and Desires Reveal Who We AreThe Christian's Desire for God's House (1)The Christian's Desire for God's House (2)What the Soul Was Made ForGod Makes the Heart TenderMaintaining a Tender Heart (1)Maintaining a Tender Heart (2)Maintaining a Tender Heart (3)Maintaining a Tender Heart (4)Test to See if Your Heart is TenderHow to Recover a Tender HeartBenefits of a Tender HeartKings Must Humble Themselves Before GodHow to Humble Ourselves (1)How to Humble Ourselves (2)How to Humble Ourselves (3)Proneness to PrideHumilityTrue versus False Humility (1)True versus False Humility (2)True versus False Humility (3)Both Outward Devotion and Inward AffectionWeeping for the ChurchWeeping and Rejoicing Mixed (1)Weeping and Rejoicing Mixed (2)God Hears Our Prayers--His PartWhen It Seems God Doesn't HearThe Privilege of PrayerGod Hears Our Prayers--Our Part
February
Death Is a Gathering (1)Death Is a Gathering (2)The Righteous Preserve their NationGod's Righteous JudgmentThe Importance of Knowing God Loves Me (1)The Importance of Knowing God Loves Me (2)Abundance Is Not an Accurate Sign of God's LoveRun to GodChristian UnityChrist In Us (1)Christ In Us (2)Christ In Us (3)Christ In Us (4)Christ In Us (5)Christ the Servant: the MediatorThe Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (1)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (2)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (3)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (4)God Knows Our FrameLittle at First (1)Little at First (2)Sometimes Tender, Sometimes Tough (1)Sometimes Tender, Sometimes Tough (2)Avoiding Unnecessary RulesThe Weaker BrotherExtend Grace to One AnotherThe Covenant of GraceThe Light of God Compared to Fire (1)
March
The Light of God Compared to Fire (2)The Light of God Compared to Fire (3)Temptation (1)Temptation (2)The Source of DiscouragementsResponding to Christ's KindnessVictory in Spiritual BattlesHis Power Not OursCourage Until the End (1)Courage Until the End (2)Our Hearts—God's TempleSin in God's PeopleSigns of God's Impending Judgment (1)Signs of God's Impending Judgment (2)Signs of God's Impending Judgment (3)Preventing God's Judgment on Our Nation (1)Preventing God's Judgment on Our Nation (2)The Ugliness of Sin (1)The Ugliness of Sin (2)Far but NearChrist's Dying Words of ComfortThe Wrong of Excessive SorrowSteps to Bring Comfort to our Hearts (1)Steps to Bring Comfort to our Hearts (2)Steps to Bring Comfort to our Hearts (3)When We Feel Our Faith Is Weak (1)When We Feel Our Faith Is Weak (2)When We Feel Our Faith Is Weak (3)Christ and the Holy SpiritChrist Is the Heart and Power of the Scriptures (1)Christ Is the Heart and Power of the Scriptures (2)
No Comments