Soul Revival

THE CAUSES

1. Unconfessed sin is the greatest enemy of Christian joy: since the Lord knows all the thoughts and actions of your life, you cannot play with sin (Ps 51:8; 66:18; Isaiah 59:1-2; I Thes 5:19).
2. Worldly inputs are the second enemy of Christian vitality (Matt 13:22; Eph 4:27,30; Jas 4:4).
3. Malnutrition or starvation of God’s words will devour a soul (Pr 29:18; Luke 4:4; Ps 119:54).
4. Friends – pagans or carnal Christians – corrupt good manners (I Cor 15:33; II Tim 2:16-18).
5. Ungodly relationships – bitterness, envy, or strife at others (Lu 1:17; Jas 3:14-16; I Pet 3:7).
6. Worry is first a sin, and then it tears down your spirit (Phil 4:6-7; II Cor 4:8-9; I Kgs 19:1-4).
7. Tiredness, or other debilitating factors, can distort your perspective (Psalm 127:2; 90:13-17).

THE CURES

1. Self-examination, confession, and repentance are the cures (Ps 32:3-6; 139:23-24; Pr 28:13).
2. Prayer is the soul’s pleadings for deliverance from despondency (Ps 51:12; 85:6-8; 119:107).
3. Read the Bible – its daily supply excels food (Job 23:12; Psalm 1:3; Rom 10:17; I Pet 2:1-3).
4. Make no provision for your flesh to fulfill its lusts (Romans 13:14; Pr 4:14-18; II Tim 2:22).
5. Trust in God by a clear conscious choice (I Sam 30:6; Ps 42:5,11; 43:5; 127:1-2; Is 26:3-4).
6. Visit the sanctuary – every assembly – with proper preparation (Ps 73:2,17; 27:4; 63:1-2).
7. Godly friends can comfort, encourage, exhort, and warn you (I Samuel 23:16; Psalm 119:63).
8. Spiritual saints who praise the Lord – can also lift you (Ps 34:1-3; Mal 3:16; I Thess 4:18).
9. Godly music will heal your wounds and lift your soul (I Sam 16:14-23; Eph 5:19; Jas 5:13).
10. Giving thanks verbally to God and others is His will for your life (I Thess 5:18; Heb 13:15).
11. Serve others, for there is a blessing in it, and the Lord will reward (Ac 20:35; Matt 20:26-28).
12. Praise by choice, for the purpose of your life is to praise God (Jer 9:23-24; Ps 71:8; 135:3).