Why Weakness Principle 6

WHCC eNews ~ January 17, 2013 Why Weakness? Principle #6 Dear Woodland Hills Family, In recent weeks I've been discussin...

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WHCC eNews ~ January 17, 2013 Why Weakness? Principle #6 Dear Woodland Hills Family, In recent weeks I've been discussing with you the matter of weakness and looking to the Scriptures for the why of it all. So far we've covered these principles: 1. Weakness helps you realize your need for God's strength. (read here) 2. Weakness is the canvas that best displays God's strength. (read here) 3. Weakness may be a messenger from Satan to harm you. (read here)

Note: if Satan has been allowed to send weakness, God has one or more higher purposes: a. to protect you from pride (read here) b. to refine your character (read here) c. Today we come to the third reason Satan may have been allowed to send you weakness: to discipline you.

When one of His children persists in sin and remains unrepentant, God's heart breaks. Unwilling to give them up, He removes a measure of His protective care and, in the severest of mercies, "turns them over to Satan" for correction (see 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20). Yet even in these instances of discipline it is important to note that God's purpose is for repentance and restoration: "so that his spirit may be saved," "so that they will be taught not to blaspheme." To comprehend this severity we have to remember the incredible personal cost God bore to extend grace to us - the death of His Son. That's why sinning casually or failing to deal seriously with known areas of disobedience is such a terrible affront to Him. Are you facing some weakness these days? Is it possible that God is disciplining you for a casual attitude toward sin? or for an unwillingness to repent over known sin? Not all weakness is due to God's discipline, but some is. So it's wise to come to the Lord in a spirit of humility and self-examination and ask God, "Has this weakness come to me because I've had a careless attitude toward sin or an unwillingness to repent over known sin?" Every grace to you,