CENTRAL THOUGHT
Fervency in the Spirit prevents spiritual instability.
HYMN: I’ve a Message from the Lord.
TEXT: LUKE 22:31-34; EPH.4:11-15.
INTRODUCTION:
Instability can be defined as a state of unsteadiness, unpredictability, vulnerability, inconsistency, or lack of firmness. We can therefore conclude that spiritual instability is lack of consistency in spiritual things. Just as there is economic instability, or political instability, so also there is spiritual instability, which sometimes manifest in a state where a Christian is “tossed to and from by every wind of doctrine.” Spiritual instability sometimes manifest as a result of lingering challenges of life that are beyond human control. The consequences of remaining in this state are so grave that the scripture exhort the believer to “stand fast, be sober, be vigilant…and be strong in the Lord and in the power of His Might”. This is a state we should not allow to get hold of us, as believers. The focus of this study is to examine how a Christian can overcome spiritual instability.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are to:
- Know what spiritual instability is:
- Understand the things responsible for spiritual instability; and
- Learn how believers can maintain consistent spiritual life.
BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1. WHAT IS SPIRITUAL INSTABILITY?
As defined in the introduction, it is a state of unsteadiness, unpredictability, vulnerability, inconsistency or lack of firmness. It manifests in lukewarm attitude, lack of direction and commitment to spiritual matters.
Q2. WHAT ARE THE THINGS RESPONSIBLE FOR SPIRITUAL INSTABILITY IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN?
Some of the causes of spiritual instability are-
(I). SIN: (HEB 12:1; PS.119:11; MARK 9:43).
Sin generally is a transgression against God. Any time we sin, our relationship with God is
severed, so we lose
fellowship with Him; our spiritual state becomes unstable. Christians should be very sensitive of the possibility of their being tempted to sin against God, no matter the height of their spiritual state.
(II). NOT BEING WATCHFUL AND PRAYERFUL: (MATT.26:41).
Christ warned His disciples to be watchful or sensitive of the antics of the enemy of their soul, so they can be spiritually equipped to resist him and remain firm in their faith.
(III). NOT BEING SENSITIVE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: (ROM.8:14, 16; GAL.5:16, 25). We have the Holy spirit to guide, lead, teach, counsel, and comfort us in all situations. We must therefore be sensitive to Him, and live in obedience to His leading at all times.
(IV). UNGODLY ASSOCIATION: (1COR. 15:33-34; 2COR.6:14-18; 2COR.11:2-3).
The scriptures declares that Christians are the light of the world. The implication of this is
that the world is darkness. God is light, ungodliness is darkness and light and darkness have nothing in common. Association with the ungodly puts the Christian at the risk of his faith being compromised. An individual is defined by the friends he/she keeps.
(V). WORLDLINESS:
(1 JN.2:15-17; JAMES.4:4).
We are warned in scripture not to love the world, and that friendship with the world, is enmity with God. The world and all that is in it shall pass away. A believer therefore should not be consumed by the world’s system. 1 John 2:15-17 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”.
(VI) DISOBEDIENCE: (LUK.12:47; JMS.4:17; JER.6:16; DEUT.5:29).
The major cause of Israel’s instability or inconsistency throughout their wilderness journey, was disobedience to God’s command. The word of God is the light that guides the Christian on his life journey, and disobedience derails the journey. The only thing that can keep a Christian stable and find rest to his soul, is absolute obedience to God’s word (Matt.11:29).
(VII). LACK OF FAITH: (HEB.4:2; 11:6; DEUT.32:19-20).
Faith in God is that quality that enables us to trust God; it says that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Faith helps us to focus on Christ. Our faith in God keeps us going in moment of trial.
(viii). Class to mention others.
Q3. DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING CONSEQUENCES OF SPIRITUAL INSTABILITY.
A) LOSS OF FELLOWSHIP AND ASSURANCE OF SALVATION: (PS.51:12).
When a Christian looses fellowship with God, the work of the Holy Spirit becomes ineffective in his life. The
certainty of his spiritual state becomes doubtful and assurance of his salvation is lost.
B) SPIRITUAL DRYNESS: (DEUT.31:17).
Spiritual dryness is a state where an individual no longer experience God’s presence and loses interest in Godliness. He no longer operates by faith rather everything becomes mechanical, leading to fear of insecurity. This can be avoided by constant examination of one’s self to ensure that one is still in faith and in a lively fellowship with God.
C) FRUSTRATION IN LIFE:
(1 KINGS 19:4; JER.20:14-18; JOB 3:10-11). Frustration set in when ambitions/ dreams/ expectations/ plans appear not to be realized; then we begin to think that we are alone, doubting God’s goodness. We must remember at such times that God is faithful to His promises and is able to deliver those who come to Him in faith.
D) APOSTASY: (HEB.6:4-6; 2 PET 2:20 & 22).
The consequence of instability is backsliding; and if not repented from could lead to apostasy. This is the worst state that any Christian can degenerate to. The scripture describes it as a state where repentance is impossible, because they are crucifying Christ afresh. (Heb.6:4-6).
Q4. DISCUSS HOW A BELIEVER CAN MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT AND STABLE SPIRITUAL LIFE:
THOROUGH CONSTANT SELF-EXAMINATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ONE’S TRUE SPIRITUAL STATE: (2COR.13:5)
We are admonished in scripture to constantly examine ourselves if we are in faith and that Christ dwells in us. We should yearn for more of Christ’s presence and power in our lives. If we are not actively seeking to grow closer to God, then we are drawing farther away from Him.
REPENTANCE, CONFESSION AND NECESSARY RESTITUTION: (LUKE 15:17-19).
All sinful acts towards God or our fellow man is rebellion against God. It is one thing to realize that one has wronged God or man, it is another thing to resolve not to repeat the wrong and to remedy the effect of the wrong. The scripture says, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us all our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. (1 Jn 1:9).
WATCHFULNESS AND PRAYERFULNESS: (MATT.26:41)
The natural man is more prone to doing what is wrong than what is right. We must therefore be sensitive to the possibility of being tempted and ensure that we are spiritually alert to resist temptation. Hence the need for watchfulness and prayers. We cannot resist temptation by our strength, but through prayer, we acquire God’s strength for victory.
CONSISTENT AND MEANINGFUL STUDY OF GOD’S WORD AND DAILY APPLICATION. (JAMES 1:21-22).
The psalmist asked a question-“How can a young man cleanse his way?” Ps.119:9. How can we stay pure in a polluted and contaminated environment like ours? We need strength more dynamic than the tempting influence around us. We can only get such strength and wisdom to it through the study of the word of God and doing what is says. Through the application of the word of God in our daily life, we will be able to maintain a consistent spiritual life.
OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD AND COMMITMENT TO HIS SERVICE: (MARK 1:35; ROM. 12;1-2; 1 TIM.4:16)
When we live in obedience to the word of God and are committed to His service, our daily activities are regulated by the Spirit of God and this makes our spiritual state more stable, therefore maintaining a consistent spiritual life becomes easier.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Spiritual instability is an abnormal state which should not be allowed to exist in the life of any Christian. Its consequences are grave both in this life and in eternity. God has already provided us with all that pertain to life and godliness to enable us resist any form of temptation that will leady to instability in our spiritual life.
MEMORY VERSE:
Eph.4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
Monday: Stand Fast.
1 Cor.16:13; Gal.5:1; Phil.1:27
Tuesday: Resisting Temptation:
1 Pet.5:7-9; James 4:7-8
Wednesday: Be strong in the power of His might.
Is. 40:25-26; Prov.14:26-27
Thursday: Be fervent in Spirit. Acts 18: 24-25; Rom.12:10-12; Rev.3:15-16
Friday: Striving for the faith. 1Tim.6:12; Jude 3; 1Cor.9:24-26; 2 Tim.4:7-8
Saturday: Maintaining your salvation:
2 Cor.13:5-6; 2Pet. 1:10, 3:13-14; Rev.14:4-5, Ps.34:9-17, 112:1-3 Prov.19:23; Job 1:1-2