Anxiety
Anxiety is a sin that can be overcome by striving against it through prayer, meditation, and a deeper conviction of God's goodness, power, and sufficiency.
The preacher delves into the concept of 'Destruction' (apoleia) in the Bible, emphasizing that it signifies the utter and hopeless loss of all that gives worth to existence, rather than annihilation. Apoleia can result from disregard for value or from personal ruin due to rejecting redemption through Christ. It speaks of the loss of everything that makes human existence worthwhile, not loss of being but loss of well-being, especially in the eternal 'destruction' visited on the ungodly. The sermon highlights various Bible verses that warn against destruction, emphasizing the consequences of setting one's mind on earthly things and the shame of glorying in sinful behavior.
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Worrying is as definitely forbidden as theft. This needs to be carefully pondered and definitely realized by us, so that we do not excuse it as an innocent "infirmity." The more we are convicted of the sinfulness of anxiety, the sooner are we likely to perceive that it is most dishonoring to God, and "strive against" it (Heb. 12:4). But how are we to "strive against" it?
First, by begging the Holy Spirit to grant us a deeper conviction of its enormity. Second, by making it a subject of special and earnest prayer, that we may be delivered from this evil. Third, by watching its beginning, and as soon as we are conscious of harassment of mind, as soon as we detect the unbelieving thought, lift up our heart to God and ask Him for deliverance from it.
The best antidote for anxiety is frequent meditation upon God's goodness, power and sufficiency. When the saint can confidently realize "The Lord is My Shepherd," he must draw the conclusion, "I shall not want!" Immediately following our exhortation is, "but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God." Nothing is too big and nothing is too little to spread before and cast upon the Lord. The "with thanksgiving" is most important, yet it is the point at which we most fail. It means that before we receive God's answer, we thank Him for the same: it is the confidence of the child expecting his Father to be gracious.
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought (anxious concern) for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:25,33)
Sermon Outline
- The Sinfulness of Anxiety
- How to Strive Against Anxiety
- The Antidote for Anxiety
- Frequent meditation on God's goodness, power, and sufficiency
- Confidently realize God's provision and sufficiency
- Watch its beginning and ask for deliverance
Key Quotes
“The best antidote for anxiety is frequent meditation upon God's goodness, power and sufficiency.” — A.W. Pink
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” — A.W. Pink
Application Points
- We should make a conscious effort to watch for the beginnings of anxiety and ask for deliverance from it.
- We should approach God in prayer with thanksgiving, confidently expecting His answer and thanking Him for it beforehand.
- We should prioritize frequent meditation on God's goodness, power, and sufficiency to overcome anxiety.