Believing a Lie
Believing a Lie: Don't listen to the enemy's lies, but instead rest in the Holy Spirit, believing Him to fulfill God's work in you.
David Wilkerson addresses the feelings of discouragement that arise from unmet expectations and the lies of the enemy that suggest one's life has been ineffective. He draws parallels with biblical figures like Elijah, David, and Paul, who also experienced despair over their perceived failures in their divine callings. Wilkerson encourages believers to reject these lies and to find strength in the Holy Spirit, reminding them that their labor for the Lord is not in vain. He emphasizes the importance of steadfastness and faith in God's promises, urging listeners to trust that their efforts will be rewarded. Ultimately, he reassures that God understands their struggles and is with them in their journey.
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As you look at your life, are you discouraged because of failed expectations? You may have prayed for years, but the things you believed God for have not come to pass. The enemy may be whispering, "You haven't been effective at all; in fact, your life has not made any difference in the world."
If you are enduring such feelings, take heart, because you are in good company. Many great servants of God throughout history ended up feeling they failed in their calling. When the prophet Elijah looked at his life, he felt like such a failure that he cried out, "It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life" (1 Kings 19:4). He felt like everything he had done for the Lord had been in vain.
King David became so despondent over what he believed was a wasted anointing on his life that he wanted to fly away like a bird to an isolated place: "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest" (Psalm 55:6).
Even the great apostle Paul trembled in fear at the thought of having spent his life as a useless laborer. He wrote to the Galatians, "I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain" (Galatians 4:11).
Beloved, the devil is lying to you, saying that all you have done is in vain. We know from Isaiah that the Lord knows your battle because he fought it before you. But Jesus showed us the way out of such despondency with this statement: "I have labored in vain ... yet surely my just reward is with the Lord, and my work with my God" (Isaiah 49:4).
Do not listen to the enemy's lies; instead, rest in the Holy Spirit, believing him to fulfill the work of making you more like Christ. Rise up and stand on this word: "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Sermon Outline
- I. The Lie of Failure
- A. The enemy whispers that our lives have made no difference
- B. Many great servants of God felt like failures
- C. Examples: Elijah, King David, Apostle Paul
- II. The Truth of God's Knowledge
- A. God knows our battles and has fought them before us
- B. Isaiah 49:4 - God's just reward is with Him
- III. The Power of Resting in the Holy Spirit
- A. Believe the Holy Spirit to fulfill God's work in us
- B. Stand on the word of 1 Corinthians 15:58
Key Quotes
“The devil is lying to you, saying that all you have done is in vain.” — David Wilkerson
“I have labored in vain ... yet surely my just reward is with the Lord, and my work with my God” — David Wilkerson
“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Resist the enemy's lie that your life has made no difference by standing on the truth of God's word.
- Rest in the Holy Spirit and believe Him to fulfill God's work in you.
- Be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.