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Discouragement. Deuteronomy 1:26-33. Discouragement. Discouraging others is a sin Putting stumbling blocks in their path, Matt 18:6-7 Discouragement “melts the heart” instead of strengthening with courage Encourage each other, Heb 12:12-13; 3:13; 10:24.
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Discouragement Deuteronomy 1:26-33
Discouragement • Discouraging others is a sin • Putting stumbling blocks in their path, Matt 18:6-7 • Discouragement “melts the heart” instead of strengthening with courage • Encourage each other, Heb 12:12-13; 3:13; 10:24
Numbers 32:7 Why will you discourage your brethren?
With Complaining? Deut 1:26-33 • The Nature of Complaining: • Lack of faith, Deut 1:32; 9:23; Psa 106:24 • In God’s word, Deut 1:20-25 (Num 13:1-2) • In God’s power to bless, Deut 1:25; Jer 32:17 • Fueled by fear, Deut 1:29 • Begins privately…public, Deut 1:27 • Hinders obedience, Deut 1:26
With Complaining? Deut 1:26-33 • The Nature of Complaining: • Rebellion against God, Deut 1:26 • Complaint can be in form of self-righteous indignation to cover up sin, Jno 12:3-6 • Murmuring and disputing, Phil 2:14 • Verify the validity of the complaint or stop it, 1 Tim 5:19-20
With Complaining? Deut 1:26-33 • The Nature of Complaining: • Why it is rebellion against God: • Rejects God’s way for man’s way, Jer 18:11-12; Num 14:1-4 • Impatient with God’s way, Num 21:4-6 • Disregards God’s blessings, Num 11:1-6 (21:5)
By not fighting the good fight of faith? Num 32:5-7; 13:31 (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 2:4) • There is a war to be fought against the world, 1 Pet 2:11 • Christians who dabble in the world discourage brethren, Jas 4:1-4, 7-10 • Social drinking, 1 Pet 4:3 • Gambling, Col 3:5 • Dancing, Gal 5:19 • Ungodly entertainment, 1 Ths 5:22 1 John 1:5-7
By not fighting the good fight of faith? Num 32:5-7; 13:31 (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 2:4) • There is a war to be fought against false doctrine, Gal 1:6-9 (2 Cor 10:4-5) • Some say: “Brethren have never agreed on that subject; why are you saying we must?” Eph 3:3-4; 5:17; 4:3 • Some say: “Doctrine isn’t so important; what’s really important is having the right heart!” 2 Tim 1:7-8
By not fighting the good fight of faith? Num 32:5-7; 13:31 (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 2:4) • There is a war to be fought against false doctrine, Gal 1:6-9 (2 Cor 10:4-5) • Some say: “Why do you always preach against error? That’s negative and discouraging!” 1 Kgs 22:13-14; 2 Tim 4:2-4; Titus 1:9-11 • Encouraged when truth defeats error and Satan’s lies are exposed! Jno 8:32, 44
By not fighting the good fight of faith? Num 32:5-7; 13:31 (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 2:4) • There is a war to be fought against spiritual complacency, Heb 6:11-12 • Half-hearted attendance, Heb 10:24-25 • Bible classes: Ready to teach and learn • Assemblies: Respectful, reverence worship • Christians in name only, Col 3:9-10 • Critical of diligent faith, Heb 12:3
We must encourage each other Romans 1:11-12 • With faithful words and deeds, Acts 4:36-37 • Hearing and learning God’s word, Acts 15:30-31; 1 Cor 14:31 • Knowing of and being with faithful brethren, Acts 11:23; Phil 2:19 • Working together in the Lord, Eph 4:16
We all need encouragement! • Joshua, Deut 1:38 • God expects us to encourage each other • May we never be a discouragement to one another! Matt 18:6-7