Teaching on Personal Weakness

[Herald]

I was listening to James White a few minutes ago, and he made a comment that a preacher will invariably have to teach on topic(s) that may present a real life struggle for the preacher. Perhaps it's a besetting sin or a temptation that regularly rears its ugly head. If this was unique to preachers I would not have placed this post in this forum. Every teacher has to deal with this - from a Sunday school teacher to a husband/father during family worship. I believe avoiding topics that present a personal challenge skirts the issue. So, for the sake of discussion, how do we approach these topics if they present troublesome issues in our own life?

 

[Ed Walsh]

So, for the sake of discussion, how do we approach these topics if they present troublesome issues in our own life?

Oh my goodness, I could write a book. I've struggled with the lusts of the flesh throughout my whole life. Praise the merciful God that they haven't been of a sexual nature. I've had a wonderful 51 years with a beautiful woman who I'm still very much in love with. So there's that.

I just wanted to chime in and say I'm all yours on this subject and I do have some helpful advice I think along these lines.

Nothing to say particular at the moment but I will stay tuned and watch what happens with this thread. Thank you for posting it.

God did have a remedy for me. Let's see where this goes.

 

[Herald]

Oh my goodness, I could write a book. I've struggled with the lusts of the flesh throughout my whole life. Praise the merciful God that they haven't been of a sexual nature. I've had a wonderful 51 years with a beautiful woman who I'm still very much in love with. So there's that.

I just wanted to chime in and say I'm all yours on this subject and I do have some helpful advice I think along these lines.

Nothing to say particular at the moment but I will stay tuned and watch what happens with this thread. Thank you for posting it.

God did have a remedy for me. Let's see where this goes.

Ed, this is something that always went through my mind before I preached. I knew I couldn't pivot around the text. I often understood my fallibility in a heightened sense when I had to preach on a text that pointed to a personal weakness. I think this is where humbleness and good understanding of grace can prove invaluable.

 

[Ed Walsh]

Ed, this is something that always went through my mind before I preached. I knew I couldn't pivot around the text. I often understood my fallibility in a heightened sense when I had to preach on a text that pointed to a personal weakness. I think this is where humbleness and good understanding of grace can prove invaluable.

Well, Herald, I guess this thread is turning out to be as popular as some of mine have.

You would think every believer who wanted to grow in Grace and in the Strength that the Spirit can give when the recipient knows and feels their own weakness deeply.
Here are a few verses, in no particular order, with the words 'weak,' 'weakness,' or 'infirmities:'

1 Corinthians 2:3​

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.​

​

1 Corinthians 1:25​

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.​

​

1 Corinthians 15:43​

it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory; it [our body] is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:​

​

Hebrews 11:34​

...quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.​

​

2 Corinthians 11:30​

If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.​

​

2 Corinthians 12:8-10​

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.​

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.​

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.​

​

Romans 8:26​

Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.​

​

2 Corinthians 13:4​

For though He was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God.​

For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.​

 

[Herald]

Well, Herald, I guess this thread is turning out to be as popular as some of mine have.

You would think every believer who wanted to grow in Grace and in the Strength that the Spirit can give when the recipient knows and feels their own weakness deeply.
Here are a few verses, in no particular order, with the words 'weak,' 'weakness,' or 'infirmities:'

1 Corinthians 2:3​

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.​

​

1 Corinthians 1:25​

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.​

​

1 Corinthians 15:43​

it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory; it [our body] is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:​

​

Hebrews 11:34​

...quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.​

​

2 Corinthians 11:30​

If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.​

​

2 Corinthians 12:8-10​

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.​

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.​

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.​

​

Romans 8:26​

Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.​

​

2 Corinthians 13:4​

For though He was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God.​

For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.​

Ed, thank you. Those are good passages for a preacher to meditate upon as they prepare to proclaim God's word.