Environmental Factors - Most commonly in a hot, crowded setting can cause fainting

Spiritual Lesson : what sort of an environment do we spend our time in ?

Is it too hot for us ? is the temperature high ? do we get angry very easily ? do we spend our time being angry at people or life for whatever reason instead of taking it to the Lord in prayer ?

Are things too crowded ? do we make time for prayer or reading the Bible ? do we spend time alone with God ? maybe this is why we spiritually faint

Emotional Factors - Stress or the sight or threat of injury can cause fainting.

Spiritual Lesson : are we fearful ? is work getting to us ? does some person or situation threaten us ?

(Deuteronomy 20:3 " And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;)

Are we worried about something ? has someone injured us by a word or a deed ? this can cause us to spiritually faint



Physical Factors - Standing too long with locked knees - yes ! this is given as a reason for fainting !

Spiritual Lesson : get down on your knees !



Other Factors - Fatigue, hunger, dehydration

Spiritual Lesson : are we just plain tired out ? spiritually and emotionally drained ? are we battle weary ?

(Judges 8:4 "And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.)

Are we hungry - not feeding on God's Word ?

(Matthew 15:32 "Then Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way."

Are we thirsty - not drinking from the Well that never runs dry ?


Another cause for spiritual fainting - chastening (listen to sermon on subject of chastening)

(Hebrews 12:5 "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:"


THE CURE

Get in the right environment - don`t crowd God out of your life - don't be given to anger (it makes your temperature rise !) - if we are fearful, take it to the Lord in Prayer - if we are hungry get back to reading God's Word and then take a good dose of Isaiah 40 29-31 THREE TIMES DAILY !

Isaiah 40:29 - 31 --- "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

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Please remember Rev Elliott`s latest two sermons:

THE VISIT

THE WISEST PEOPLE IN PORTADOWN

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Also, if you are in the Portadown area on Sunday morning, 21st May, 2006, we are having a special visit by our moderator, Dr Ian Paisley.

Don't forget the evening service too ! Rev Elliott will be preaching, and Mrs Claire Russell is the soloist.