The strong man of heaviness.
Manifestations, or evidence of the strong man of heaviness;
Mourning and grief– Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Sorrow and sadness– Nehemiah 2:2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
Negative thoughts and emotions such as despair, self-pity, hopelessness, or discouragement– Psalm 69:20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
These manifestations of the spirit of heaviness do not glorify God. It is keeping our faith in God’s word and overcoming Satan that brings glory to God. 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Our spiritual weapons against the spirit of heaviness;
The oil of joy and the garment of praise– Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Singing praises to the Lord– Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. Psalm 104:33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Dancing and gladness– 2 Samuel 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. Psalm 150:4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Peace– Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. Psalm 55:18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
The spirit of heaviness cannot stay in the presence of the joy and peace of God. You will be set free when you praise the Lord. Rejoice over these things; Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Psalm 20:5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Isaiah 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Taught by a man of God years ago. PTL
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