Discouragement

The Bible teaches that we are in the midst of spiritual warfare every day of our lives. We are faced daily with temptation. Christians receive help from the Holy Spirit that lives within us when we ask for it. The Bible teaches that God will not allow any temptation to be presented to us that will be too great to withstand and that He will always provide a way out. (1Cor.10:13) In spite of everything we will
occasionally succumb to temptation. Perhaps we will be tempted to tell someone off, cheat on our taxes, drink too much alcohol, covet our neighbors good fortune, or lust over their spouse. Christians will feel genuine remorse for failing to withstand temptation when it happens and sometimes become very discouraged because of it.


The Bible teaches that we are not alone in this battle; however we must continually pray for help, especially when facing temptation. Paul described it as “praying without ceasing”. The choice of words in the language that it was written literally translates that we should pray as if we had a persistent cough. When I think of a persistent cough it comes in short and regular bursts. If we continually thank God throughout the day for His blessings as they occur, ask for His help during stressful situations, ask for guidance for decisions, and ask for forgiveness when we fail Him, it would simulate a persistent cough. (At least in my mind).


One of the best ways for Christians to avoid becoming discouraged is to withstand temptation. Of course Jesus was the only one that ever pulled that off 100%. We will all occasionally fail, it is in our imperfect natures. The Holy Spirit was referred to by Jesus as “The Helper”. We must ask the Helper for help to withstand temptation and for forgiveness when we fail. To make this interminably long story short, to avoid discouragement we need to pray.

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Thes.. 16…
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing.

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