We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Don’t Let Evil Depress or Discourage You


Turn now to another category — depression and discouragement.  This is one of the most remarkable manifestations of the activity of the devil.  He does it with non-Christians as well as with Christians.  He depresses the mind.  He does it generally by making us concentrate overmuch on ourselves.  He keeps us looking at ourselves and examining ourselves, always looking at the past, at something we did in the past which we should not have done.  He will keep us looking back until we are utterly depressed.  We doubt whether we are forgiven, we doubt whether we are children of God, we feel unworthy, we feel unclean, we feel out lives are a failure.  That we become miserable and unhappy, causes the devil to rejoin, for he is able to say, “There is a typical Christian! that is your Christianity!”  Cannot you see that this is an aspect of the wiles of the devil?  How wrong it all is!  And how we ought to detect it!  You have no right to remain in such a depression, because you are assured by God’s own word that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  He is a God who heals the backslider; He is a God who receives back the prodigal son.  “The past shall be forgotten, a present joy be given.”  You have no right to look back; you have no right to be perpetually looking within; you have no right to be depressed.  If you are depressed, you are merely succumbing to the influence of the evil.  Depression, discouragement, a sense of failure, a sense of utter and complete hopelessness, are generally the result of the devil’s activities.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-13,” pg.90-91


2 comments:

Matt said...

Thank you brother Glenn! I needed to read this post a long time ago. Thank you so much for this encouraging and biblical thought.

Matt

Anonymous said...

I might have to meditate on this for a while... especially when the discouragements and wrongs come from within the assembly of the Lord...

-Carolyn