By Mike Smith A lesson about getting to understand about spiritual weakness.

1. Understanding
Spiritual Weakness
Jude 20-25

2. The Problem
is Real!
• It’s why we have such admonitions as found
in Jude 20-25.
• Spiritual weakness (anemia) is real and it
challenges Christians.
• We must face it in our life and help others.
1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:10
• Jesus warned us about this. Mt. 26:41
• We must be of help. 1 Thes. 5:14

3. What is
Spiritual Weakness?
• Spiritually strong is to be ruled by the Holy
Spirit (living by God’s teaching)... Romans 8:1-8
– And worldly minded is to be ruled by the flesh.
• Spiritual weakness then is a mind ruled by
fleshly/worldly thinking... Romans 4:19
–Little wavering faith… Matthew 6:30; Jas. 1:6
• So let us understand about this problem by
seeing the reasons for it, how to recognize, and
remedy it.

4. Reasons For
Spiritual Weakness:
• Spiritually immature (undeveloped). 1 Cor. 3:1-3
–Unskilled and must grow. Hebrews 5:12-13
–Must grow to strength through the word of
God! 1 Peter 2:2; 1 John 2:14
• Distracted by the world.
–Temptations to sin will attack when we’re
vulnerable! 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 Cor. 10:12-13
–Trials test us. James 1:2-3
–Error hinders your strength. Gal. 5:1, 7

5. Reasons For
Spiritual Weakness:
• Being overcome by sin... Galatians 6:1
– Turns into spiritual death. Jas. 5:19-20
• Not using God’s word to judge what is right.
1 Corinthians 2:12-16; 1 Tim. 1:8
– Failure to do this caused many to be weak.
1 Cor. 11:30
• If left alone spiritual weakness becomes
carnality. 1 Cor. 3:1-3
– We must choose to be ruled by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:5, 7

6. Recognizing
Spiritual Weakness:
• Weak in resistance:
– To temptation… Eph. 6:10, 13, 16; 1 Jn. 2:14
– To error. Eph. 4:14
• Never be ashamed of truth. Rom. 1:16
• Weak in appetite: Mt. 5:6; Jn. 6:27
– Many weak Christians have a strong appetite for other
things like ball games, recreation, and entertainment
but need the desire for solid food! Heb. 5:14
– Need a priority check. Mt. 6:33
– Need to learn and live God’s word. 2 Tim. 2:15

7. Recognizing
Spiritual Weakness:
• Weak in estimating your ability & responsibility:
Matthew 25:18
–When asked to help in the work of the Lord
he replies: “I can’t.”
–The strong says, “I can try”! Phil. 4:13

8. Spiritual Weakness Is
Bad!
• Because if left unattended it becomes willful
sin! Hebrews 10:26-27
– God has made provisions for us to grow and get
spiritual growth and strength. 2 Peter 3:18
– The church. Hebrews 10:22-25
• Because it is contagious! Gal. 5:9
– It influences and discourages others. Num. 32:6-7

9. Remedies For the
Spiritually Weak
• Do what you can do... Luke 13:6-9
–Support the weak. 1 Thes. 5:14
–Help them grow through Bible study. 6-9
–Set good examples for them to see. 1 Tim. 4:12
–Try to restore those that have fallen. Gal. 6:1-2
–Teach, correct, warn, & rebuke them.
2 Timothy 2:24-26
–Pray for them. James 5:16

10. What To Do About
Spiritual Weakness
• The Responsibility of the weak is to grow in
personal faith! Jude 20-21
• Your Responsibility toward the weak: In
mercy & compassion, try to help strengthen
& save them! Jude 22-23
• You must also rely on God who is able to
keep us from stumbling & present us without
blemish in His presence! Jude 24