Defeated

Why are so many Christians walking around defeated with no joy or strength in their life? It seems like many believers are filled with fear and a lack of faith.

Where are the signs and wonders that are supposed to follow the preaching? Where is the excitement and the wonder of the born–again experience?
Why do so many Christians seem to be so complacent floundering in their faith?

Christians seem to be so depressed and stressed out.  It seems we are like a bunch of penguins, all of us looking, talking and acting like one another in church but what are we like out of church?  Have we gotten to be a like the chameleon changing with our surroundings, conforming to our situations and circumstances, striving to please people instead of pleasing God?

From what I understand, only about 20% of those that claim to be Christians read the Bible. I realize many people that claim to be Christians don’t know the first thing about being born–again, which is the only way anyone can become a Christian.  But, in all reality how many believers do read and study their Bible on a daily basis?

Has the Lord left us or has He forsaken us or has He failed us?  No, we are the ones that are failing Him and forsaking Him.  How many times do we watch things, or read things we wouldn’t want Him to see, or say things that we wouldn’t want Him to hear?  What about the places we go, would we take Him along if He were here?

Do we have a humble and contrite heart, do we repent of our sins and confess them when we commit them, or do we hide them and continue to let them pile up? Remember King David? He held onto the sins he committed against Bathsheba and Uriah for about a year and he felt horrible about it even to the point of feeling like his bones were broken.

In Isaiah 59: 1,2 it says, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."  If you won’t repent of your sins, God doesn’t leave you, no, you separate yourself from Him!
And what about prayer, do you know that it doesn’t matter how many programs you have or how excited you get, without bathing these things in prayer not much will be accomplished?  Prayer is the thing that moves the hand of God.

Now let’s get back to fact that many Christians seem to be wobbling with very little strength to hang on, why is this?  Let’s read what it says in Nehemiah chapter 8 verse 10, "Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Can it be that many Christians have lost their first love so they have no joy and because of it they have no strength and are feeling defeated?  Are they conforming to the world, living and flirting with unconfessed sin?

When we do these things God isn’t going to just throw us away like people will, no, the Lord will discipline and correct us.  It says in Hebrews chapter 12:5, 6,
"My child don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when He corrects you.  For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes those He accepts as His children."  Then in verse 11 it says, "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening–it is painful!  But afterwards there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." In verses 12, 13 it says, "So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong."

There is another verse I want you to think about that Jesus said to the church in the book Revelations chapter 3: verses 19–20, "I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love.  Be diligent and turn from your indifference. I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hear my voice and open the door, I shall come in and sup with him and he with me."  Some people use this verse for nonbelievers but it was addressed to believers.  Jesus spoke these things to the church of Laodicea.

So, if you have lost your first love, repent, confess it to the Lord and find forgiveness.  Then start doing the things you did when you were first committed to the Lord!  Start thanking and praising the Lord and let the peace and the joy of the Lord flood your soul.  It won’t be long and your strength will return and instead of being a defeated Christian you will be more than a conqueror. Praise God! God Bless You, have a great day.