- Why are Christians so Miserable?
By Dr. Ken Matto
(Acts 16:25 KJV) And at midnight Paul
and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard
them.
If there is one strange phenomenon skulking around Christianity today,
it is the fact that many Christians are miserable. With what God has done
for the Christian, we should be the most joyous people on earth, I didn’t
say happy, I said joyful. (Gal 5:22 KJV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, According to Galatians 5:22, when
a person becomes saved, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit given to them
is joy. It seems that instead of being given the fruits listed in Galatians
5:22, it looks like most Christians have received rotten fruit. The way
Christians walk around today, it seems like they have received fruits like
these: hate for love, misery for joy, anxiety for peace, impatience for
longsuffering, harshness for gentleness, badness for goodness, and disbelief
for faith. At this writing, I have been saved for 29 years and I have had
the non-privilege in running into many Christians who seem to live
exclusively in the doldrums. When I run into these people, I make it a
policy to run from them. It is obvious that when Christians walk around in
perpetual spiritual depression that what has happened is they have been
diverted from Christ. This is not to say that they have lost their
salvation, they have lost direction, perspective, and ultimately their joy.
How was it that Paul and Silas, were able to sing praises unto God after
being flogged? Today’s Christian goes ballistic if someone sits in their
seat at church. Paul and Silas was able to sing true praises from prison
because they had not lost their spiritual perspective. The problem is that
many Christians today have lost their spiritual perspective and have
transferred that perspective to the physical realm.
(Rom 1:17 KJV) For therein is the
righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The
just shall live by faith.
(2 Cor 5:7 KJV) (For we walk by faith, not
by sight:)
Romans 1:17 was the catalyst for the Reformation. Martin Luther was
miserable and then one day he read Romans 1:17 and instantly the Holy Spirit
illuminated that passage. He then realized that it is by faith we live and
not by works. He was stuck in the Roman Catholic system which was a hotbed
of works and mysticism. Once God broke through with the mighty truth of that
passage, it sparked the Reformation and the truth started to spread. The
Roman Catholic institution could do nothing to stop it. One Monk who read
the Scriptures, changed the face of spiritual Europe and then it came to
America and from America the true Gospel went out to every nation. In 2 Cor.
5:7, we are told that the just, that is the saved, the same born again
Christians found in Romans 1:17, are to walk by faith and not by sight. The
word “walk” carries with it the idea of “live or conduct oneself.” This
means that we walk strictly by faith and not by sight, or what we see. The
physical senses have a tendency to neutralize faith, if we allow them to.
The key to understanding this situation is that as I mentioned before, many
Christians have transferred their faith in God to faith which is determined
by what they see. Let me say at the outset, that just because we do not know
what is going on in the world, does not mean that God has lost control. If
God has lost control, here is how we will recognize that fact. Either the
sun will be speeding toward us or we will be speeding out of control toward
the sun. So every morning when you get up and look out the window and see
the sun where it belongs, then you know God is still in control. Our
non-understanding of God’s ways must never be the catalyst for losing faith.
In this article, I am going to reference 12 things which will and have
caused Christians to lose their perspective, leading to lose of joy and
faith. You may disagree with them and continue to live in misery, which
unfortunately has become the psychological trademark of many Christians. The
overriding problem in Christianity today is that Christians have lost focus
and that focus must be regained and I will broach that at the end of this
article, because if we don’t know what we are doing wrong, then we will
never be able to make it right.
Seeking to be Victorious
(1 John 5:4 KJV) For whatsoever is born of
God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith.
(1 Cor 15:57 KJV) But thanks be to
God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
One thing the Christian must understand and that is that victory is not
a goal, it is the present state in which the true believer lives. We have
overcome the world through the Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing more to
overcome. A Christians needs to conduct their life from the point of
victory, not toward a victory, which has already been won. The Christian has
been set apart from the world system and the problem is too many Christians
are dabbling with the world. Whenever we attempt to do something in the same
way the world does, we are lowering ourselves from the roof of victory. You
see victory is not a ladder to climb instead all Christians are on the roof
of victory and we don’t come down. Just like the roof covers the entire
house, the victory of Christ in our lives causes us to be above the whole
world system.
Political Amalgamation
(Psa 119:140 KJV) Thy word is very
pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
The word of God is pure but when we try to take politics and combine it
with the Bible, we take the pure word of God and adulterate it. This does
not mean that the Christian cannot be politically active but it does mean
that the bible is interpreted spiritually and not politically. If someone
votes in a candidate and that candidate seems to be a Christian but later it
is obvious that they are anything but a Christian, then one can lose heart.
We must never expect anything but the lowest form of conduct from any
politician. God is not a Republican or a Democrat. Christians who heavily
invest their lives in politics will soon live a disappointed life and if
they do not refocus their eyes on the Lord, then they will walk around in
defeatist mode.
Christianity and the New World Order
(1 John 5:19 KJV) And we know that
we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
I have been familiar with the teachings of the New World Order. They
would include groups such as the Trilateral Commission, The Bilderbergers,
The Council on Foreign Relations, Yale order of Skull and Bones, etc. Now
there is much material available on these conspiratorial groups and what
they have accomplished in their goal of ruling the world. I know many
Christians who read this material and after they do, they are so discouraged
and cast down you think they lost their salvation. The problem is that when
one reads this material, it tends to refocus our eyes off the Lord and on
the “elite.” I know Christians who have devoted their lives to this material
and what fruit have they borne? (2 Tim
2:4 KJV) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this
life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
We are in the army of the Lord which means we are in a
different kingdom. We know that there is always going to be these kind of
groups of wealthy people who are going to make sport of the poor people.
(John 18:36 KJV) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if
my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should
not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Jesus told Pilate that His kingdom is not of this world.
If you are truly saved, then your kingdom is not of this world and those
who are trying to rule the world are not of our kingdom but of the kingdom
of Satan. If we continue to soak up this material concerning the unrest in
the kingdom of Satan, then we are going to be discouraged as we see things
happening in society. We must remember that Christianity was birthed in one
of the most oppressive regimes in history. The Roman Empire was no friend of
Christianity but did that stop the spread of the Gospel? If we allow
ourselves to become discouraged by reading all this types of material, then
the next step is, we stop ministering. If we are susceptible to easy
discouragement and fear, then avoid these materials and stay upon the
Scriptures. We need to know what is going on in our Kingdom and not in
Satan’s kingdom.
Following Men
(1 Cor 3:4 KJV) For while one saith, I am
of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
(Psa 118:8 KJV) It is better to
trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
If there is one thing which defines modern Christianity it is
compartmentalization. What I mean by that is that Christianity has been
partitioned off by teacher and preacher worship. Christians today have
devoted themselves to the reading material written by men. It seems
commentaries, books, and sermons by preachers have usurped the teaching of
Scripture. The only time we study the Scriptures is when we are under the
teaching of our favorite teacher. The problem is that man has a limited
horizon and only God has an unlimited one which is the one that the
Christian should be focusing on. The Bible is not of anyone’s private
interpretation and there should be uniformity among Christians in
understanding of the Bible. If Christians would study the Scriptures and not
follow teachers, then they would excel in Christianity and it would be much
stronger. I personally know Christians who have chosen to follow a man and
they are the most miserable examples of Christians I know today. That is
because their favorite teacher has become the Holy Spirit to them. What I
mean by that is the teacher does all the interpretation and the followers
only believe what that preacher or teacher tells them to believe.
(John 16:13 KJV) Howbeit when he, the
Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not
speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will show you things to come.
John 16:13 tells us that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth
but the problem is that too many Christians seek for their favorite teacher
to guide them into all truth. The problem is that when many teachers gain a
large following, they tend to get puffed up with pride and will take counsel
from no one. Then when they are found wrong, the followers lose faith and
become discouraged. This does not happen when you follow the Lord because He
does not give false teachings and therefore if your mind is upon the Lord,
rather than man, then you will not suffer discouragement.
Modern Versions
(Psa 119:89 KJV) LAMED. For ever, O LORD,
thy word is settled in heaven.
The word of God is settled in Heaven and that means it is settled here
on earth. (Mat 6:10 KJV) Thy kingdom
come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Jesus prayed that God’s will should be done in the earth
as it is in Heaven. Since 1881, the fatal year of the publication of the
Revised Version of Hort and Westcott, there have been 218 translations of
the Bible. Every new translation becomes more corrupt than their
predecessors. This includes the New King James Version which casts doubt
upon 873 verses in the New Testament. With every translation that is
produced, the wording is changed because if a copyright is to be secured,
there must be sufficient change in the text. The publishers are not
concerned as to whether you go to hell or not, they just want to sell books
at your eternal expense. The majority of Christians use multiple
translations thinking they are getting a better understanding but they do
not realize they are ingesting more confusion. Every translation says
something different which means the modern versions are in flux and are
subject to every archaeological find. God cannot bless a word that has been
tampered with because He pronounces judgment upon those who add or subtract
from His word. Let me show you just two of the most butchered verses in the
New Testament:
(Rom 8:1 KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit.
(NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus,
(1 John 5:13 KJV) These things have I written unto you that believe on
the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,
and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
(NIV) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of
God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
10 words omitted from Romans 8:1 and 13 words omitted from1 John 5:13.
How can a holy God, who states that His word is settled in Heaven, place a
blessing upon these counterfeit versions when they have been mutilated by
Satan’s scholars? This is why those who study these modern versions are not
receiving any spiritual benefit, only confusion. Confusion does not engender
spiritual growth and spiritual growth is a key to a joyous Christian walk.
No Commitment
(Heb 6:12 KJV) That ye be not slothful, but
followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Another synonym, yeah two, for slothful would be “lazy” and “idle.” The
Christian’s reason of existence is to send forth the Gospel and to make
disciples of all nations. When a Christian refuses to get involved, they are
spurning the reason God has kept them here after salvation. Christianity is
a lot more than just going to church on Sunday. It is a seven day a week
responsibility. Many say they do not know what their spiritual gifts are and
sitting in front of the TV every night is really going to help you find it.
Do you need to know your spiritual gift to go and buy a couple hundred
tracts and then hand them out? All you need for that is one hand to hold the
stack and the other one to disperse them to those who pass by. You can’t
even put a tract in with your bills? You are that lazy? Do you know why
world religions are gaining momentum? It is because Christians are sitting
home watching TV or walking around with their MP3 players stuck in their
ears dead to the world around them. The churches have chosen to build their
kingdoms within their walls and have seriously neglected going out to the
streets. True evangelism is not “bring them to church on Sunday” but is
going out to meet the unbelievers where they work and play. It seems a very
small number of Christians know what commitment means. Many of them know
what “commitment to self means” but not commitment to Christ. Many
Christians walk around like zombies because they have no idea what their
reason of existence is. There is an old saying that 10% of the Christians do
90% of the work. I believe it is a much lower percentage than that. Most
Christians will not even place a bumper sticker on their car. When the Lord
told us to go out into the world, He said it as a command. No one is going
to reach the world sitting on their couch eating potato chips or sipping
Budweiser. What churches need to do is ramp up their teachings on
commitment. In our constitution, it is required that men serve 6 years of
their life in the military. What churches should do is follow the same
course of action. Don’t let anyone join unless they promise to give at least
one year of committed service to the church, by the time that one year is
complete, they may desire to continue on in service.
Fear
(Isa 35:4 KJV) Say to them that are
of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with
vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and
save you.
Another characteristic of the miserable Christian is that they live in
fear. They are afraid that someone at work might find out they are a
Christian. In deference to their religion, Muslims will tape C4 to their
bodies and blow it up killing them and whoever is around them. Comparing the
commitment the Muslim makes to the commitment that the Christian makes, the
Christian commitment pales in comparison. These people will blow themselves
up and many Christians are afraid to even hand out a tract. They are afraid
that if they are found out to be Christians, they might not get a promotion
at work. (Heb 13:6 KJV) So that we may
boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall
do unto me. Hebrews 13:6 states that the Lord is
my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. In our opening
verse, Isaiah 35:4, the Lord will come with vengeance on those who have
caused us trouble. Our first responsibility is to be Christians and then
employees. Have you ever seen people in restaurants bow their head before a
meal by rubbing their forehead? My wouldn’t it be a shame that the drug
addict sitting one table over might find out that you are a Christian? The
fear of man has overtaken many Christians and when we first become saved,
maybe there is a little apprehension but that should fade after a while. The
Christian has nothing to fear in this world. We are commanded to go into the
world with the Gospel and that means the world around us first. What do we
really have to fear? You know what we fear the most? Anticipation! We want
to do something for the Kingdom of God and as soon as we plan, the next
thing we know we are anticipating personal consequences. Guess who is
planting that idea in your mind? It is Satan! He wants you to live in
cowering fear so you will be the type of Christian who does nothing. Fear
can stop you dead in your tracks. If we look back in history at many of the
martyrs, their testimonies were bold because they we were willing to take it
to the point of their physical death. If you are willing to trust the Lord,
you will find that you will be a strong testimony but if you shrink back at
every bit of opposition, then it shows you are not trusting the Lord. Look
at the Apostle Paul, he didn’t sneak into town at night and then sneak out
the next night. As soon as he came to a town, it was only a short time
before there was an uproar. This was because he was willing to take his
testimony as far as his physical death and eventually it cost him his life
but he is still affecting people to this day. How?
(1 Th 5:27 KJV) I charge you by the Lord that
this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
Here Paul implores them to read this epistle to all the brethren, not only
those who are members of the church, but even to those they witness to and
become saved. In fact, Paul’s prayer is still being answered today. Whoever
is saved and has a Bible, is reading or will read 1 Thessalonians. Paul’s
prayer is going to be answered until the last day. What will be your legacy?
Fear or action?
Cheap with the Lord’s Money
(2 Cor 9:6 KJV) But this I say, He
which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth
bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
If there is one pair of words which makes up the premier oxymoron, it
is, “Cheap Christian.” The Bible is replete with promises God makes to those
who are willing givers to the work of the Lord. So many Christians do not
give anything to God’s work and they wonder why they have financial problems
in their life. Then their excuse is I cannot afford to give anything. That
is the time you need to turn your excuse in for a new heart about giving.
Giving is a great dynamic of the Christian life. It is a sad shame that many
Christians place God last on their list. Of course, their own priorities are
always first. Basically, what is being taught by cheap Christians is that a
person’s eternal soul is not as important as my priorities. When I was a
young Christian, the man who discipled me placed a love for missions in my
heart. Since I was a young Christian, I have supported missions because
missions is the heart of the Gospel. We have been commanded to go forth with
the Gospel to the whole world and if we are unable to go, then we can and
should support those whom the Lord has raised up to be able to go.
Now what follows is not name it and claim it but my own personal
testimony to the fact that God is very faithful to His word. I live in a
house that didn’t cost me a penny (cost was $65,000), I drive a car that
didn’t cost me a penny (cost was $15,800), shortly some Christians are going
to purchase an electric recliner for me which would otherwise cost $535.
Some time ago a brother bought me a desk which sells for about $200 for $15.
Since I live in a Co-op, our monthly co-op fee was $174 for 2010. In January
2010,
I received a big surprise concerning my Property tax rebate. I received a
total of $958 back from my 2008 taxes. Instead of throwing it in the bank, I
put $950 in my checking account and then from March-December 2010, instead of
budgeting $174 per month, I budgeted $79 per month because the $950 covered
the other $95 per month. For those ten months, my co-op fees were only $79
per month.
Now I am not saying these things to brag, what I am saying is that God
has given many promises in Scripture to those who willingly give to His
work. As a new Christian, I did not know anything about these promises but I
learned as I went along. I really feel sorry for those who refuse to give to
God’s work or just see it as another burden on their budget. It is this kind
of attitude that causes cheap Christians to remain in financial trouble and
financial trouble always causes misery. When Christians get into financial
trouble, their focus is on the finances and not on the Lord.
Materialism
(Luke 12:18 KJV) And he said, This will I
do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow
all my fruits and my goods.
On the other side of the coin from the cheap Christian is the Christian
who is extremely materialistic. Since they are too busy attempting to find
security in all their worldly goods, they too are cheap Christians when it
comes to the work of the Lord. How can one support the work of the Lord and
their materialism? Guess which one will win out? So many Christians feel
they need to have every new gadget that comes out or they must have the
upgraded model. When the Lord Jesus came to this earth, He didn’t even have
a place to lay His head. Today it is very easy to become materialistic since
we don’t even have to leave the house to go shopping because we can shop on
line. The problem here is that these Christians look at the economy or the
doomsayers on TV and become frightened at what they say and start hoarding
everything. Their faith in God is replaced by their faith in their material
goods. It is a shame when Christians feel more secure with material goods
then they do with the Lord. Materialism does not lengthen your life nor does
it make you feel secure because the more you have the more you want and
pretty soon you will be like the rich man who wanted to tear down his barns
and build new ones which were bigger. How many Christians live in bigger
houses than they can really afford? If we limited our junk buying, we could
live in cheaper homes more comfortably. The less material goods we have the
less worry we have. I am not speaking about having extra batteries or extra
food in the pantry or even a second car if you have a big family. It is the
obsession with buying everything and anything on a whim just to have it. The
desire for material goods is a sin because it refocuses your desires from
God to materialism.
No Fear of God
(Lev 26:2 KJV) Ye shall keep my sabbaths,
and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
Have you noticed that most churches today have become non-alcoholic
night clubs? What I mean by that is when you visit these churches, they call
it contemporary services which means they have a rock and roll band on stage
and that is exactly what it is, a stage! In Leviticus 26:2, God commanded
Israel to reverence His sanctuary. To reverence the sanctuary meant that the
people would attend the service and would not allow anything sinful or
unclean to come into it. The amalgamation of rock and the Gospel is mixing
the world and Christianity which is trying to take the Gospel of Heaven and
adding Hell to it and thinking you are having a great outreach. Any time you
mix the Gospel with the world, you neutralize the effects of the Gospel and
it is no more the Gospel, just religion. Since rock and roll bands have been
brought into the church, the spirituality in these assemblies has gone out
the door. Once the reverent atmosphere leaves the church, there is no
dwelling on God because these rock bands minister to the flesh alone.
(Rom 13:14 KJV) But put ye on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts
thereof.
Romans 13:14 warns us that we must never make provision
for the flesh and that is what these church based rock groups are doing.
When you do not have true understanding of who God is, then you will not
fear or reverence Him.
Christians tell many jokes with the name of God and the name of Jesus
used casually. The third commandment has never been rescinded. It seems
whenever Christians come into contact with these rock and roll churches,
their reverence for God evaporates. Just go into any Christian bookstore and
you will find the name of Jesus on everything, from pencils to skateboards.
Whatever companies can place the name of Jesus on, they will sell it and the
sorry part is that Christians will buy them. That is why there is no fear of
God today. When I was young, I attended a church where you sat in silence
waiting for the service to begin. It was a time of reflection and prayer.
You sang hymns like Rock of Ages or Amazing Grace. Today you sing one line
30 times over. These false churches build euphoria into the fleshly part of
the Christian and when they hit hard times, they will not know how to handle
it because the clergy do not know enough about the Bible to preach their
congregations to proper Christian living and how to face adversity. One
cannot grow spiritually unless they understand the fear of God.
Coveting some type of sin
(Josh 7:20-21 KJV) And Achan answered
Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and
thus and thus have I done: {21} When I saw among the spoils a goodly
Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold
of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold,
they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver
under it.
Achan was tested by the Lord to see if he would obey the command to not
take any of the spoils. He disobeyed and it cost the lives of thirty six men
plus the punishment was that he and his family were stoned to death and
burned with fire. If we are holding on to a pet sin, we may be affecting
others without knowing it. Christians that hold on to a pet sin, will never
experience the full joy of their salvation and will make them feel like a
hypocrite to the point that they will not be a witness. The problem is that
they would rather forsake the witnessing than the pet sin. It does not
matter what that pet sin is, it will keep a Christian from growing to their
full potential in the Kingdom. When a Christian has a pet sin, they
definitely know they have it and maybe it is the type of sin which is hard
to expunge. We cannot walk in sin and in the presence of the Lord at the
same time. Since the flesh and spirit war against each other, the Christian
must strive to make the spirit rule over the flesh. We must intentionally
avoid any situation which can enflame any sin passion in our lives.
What happened at the cross
(Col 2:13-14 KJV) And you, being dead in
your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together
with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; {14} Blotting out the
handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and
took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
When biblical teachings are replaced by rock and roll bands in the
church, then biblical truth flies out of the window. When that happens,
Christians are denied the cardinal truths of the Scriptures. One of the
great truths is that every sin which the Christian has ever committed or
will ever commit has been paid for and removed from their souls. The
Christian has a sin cleansed soul and is readied for Heaven. This truth
seems to be missing in almost every church. This results in the Christian
believing that they still have sins which must be atoned for. When Christ
went to the cross for His Elect, He removed the sin from every true
believer. Without the Christian realizing this truth, they will still feel
like they are a sinner. Nowhere in Scripture does God call His children
sinners. They are redeemed children of God. Christians need to know that
they have been fully forgiven. Salvation is not partial but full.
Summary
I have given twelve of the most blatant reasons that aid Christians in
living in misery. Of all the people on earth, Christians have the greatest
future. We have eternal life in Heaven but so many walk around like this is
all there is. Satan has succeeded well in refocusing the Christian’s eyes on
the here and now. The Christian needs to look beyond the horizon of the here
and now and realize that we have a future which will never end and it will
be in bliss. There is no reason for the Christian to walk around like they
are in total defeat or as if they are ashamed of who they are. When Christ
went to the cross, He was placed on that cross naked and bleeding. He was
not ashamed to face it yet we are ashamed to face who we are. The false
religions of the world proudly display who they are and the Christians are
the only ones who walk around with their heads hung low. Let’s just briefly
look at the twelve reasons:
Seeking Victory - We already have the victory
Political Amalgamation - Shrouds the true Gospel
Christianity and the New World Order - These wealthy are not gods but
men
Following Men - Leads to futility
Modern Versions - Attacks the person of Christ
No Commitment - Creates spiritual lethargy
Fear - Shows no trust in God
Cheap - Shows no trust in God’s ability to provide
Materialism - Engenders greed
No Fear of God - No spiritual growth
Coveting some type of sin - Serving the flesh
What happened at the cross - All sin forgiven and removed
The way a Christian can turn themselves around from being miserable is
to find out where they are being disobedient to the Scriptures and
immediately begin to repair that breach. Once a Christian becomes obedient,
the joy of salvation returns to them. This obedience comes by getting to
know the Scriptures. (Psa 51:12 KJV)
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free
spirit. David asked the Lord to restore unto him
the joy of the Lord’s salvation after he confessed his sin with Bathsheba.
We too must ask the Lord to restore us to the joy of His salvation. It may
cost us and take time. Getting into sin is like getting into debt. It is
easy to get into debt but hard to get out and yet it is very doable. The
beginning of joy is to compare where your Christian walk is right now
according to the Scriptures. Once you know where you are at, then you begin
to remove the worldly ideas, motives, and methods. Then you replace them
with the biblical ideas, motives, and methods and then the joy of your
salvation will return because you have begun to refocus from the world to
the Lord.
Back