Renewing Your Mind: To Overcome the Spirit of Heaviness!

Isaiah 61:1–3 KJV 1900

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all that mourn; 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.

My assignment this season is the help believers in Christ to renew their minds on the promises in God Word.

And to exhort unbelievers to receive Christ that they may be partaker of the God’s promises.

God promises to do not guarantee a life free from trails and suffering but they do guarantee that we will the grace, will, and ability to endure, overcome, and triumph

Although the exact number of promises of God in the Bible is not easy to determine, but credible source account claims that there are 3573 promises.

The word promise itself occurs over 50 times in the King James Version of the Bible.

The promises of God cover various aspects of life, such as supplying every need, giving grace, preventing temptation, granting victory over death, and working all things for good.

Some of the promises are specific to certain books or people, while others are general and universal.

Today we focus on one specific promises from our theme verses. Today we focus on renewing our mind -On overcoming the spirit of of heaviness.

According to the original language in the scripture the term spirit of heaviness means..

mind to faint, mind to lose hope, to be clothed in despair, to be encumbered by many cares.

Mark 4:19 KJV 1900

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Note how the scripture say that weight and heaviness so easiest beset us.

As I was pondering these scriptures the i was reveal as common cold is the most prevalent sickness that comes against.

The spirit of heaviness is the most common sickness that comes against our spiritual health.

Our spirits must be daily inoculated with the defenses to help us overcome the spirit of heaviness.

The spirit of heaviness- Is no respecter of person- It will come each of us. Therefore we must always be on guard.

Proverbs 4:23 KJV 1900

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

What are the signs of the spirit of heaviness. How does it look in everyday life?

According to Glen Berteau the spirit of heaviness can lead various mental, emotional , and spiritual disorders. He is a severe mental condition characterized by feelings of despondency and dejection.

It typically also carries with it feelings of inadequacy and guilt, often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep. Heaviness is a feeling of being weighed down, especially with weariness. It is a mentally oppressive feeling, especially of sadness or grief. Depression is extremely prevalent, causing a host of emotional and physical problems, but behind it is a demonic stronghold of heaviness. Life becomes a chore and, to the one in bondage, it’s like walking through molasses.

Symptoms of a Spirit of Heaviness • Hopelessness/despair/dejection • Excessive mourning/grieving over a loss • Depression • Difficulty in functioning/excessive fatigue • Withdrawal/isolation • Suicidal thoughts • Emptiness • Broken heart/inner hurts • Self-pity • Change in eating/sleeping • Feelings of unworthiness/guilt • No desire to set goals/make plans • Sadness • Weariness • Oppression

Example of Biblical person that experience the spirit of heaviness.

Home Pastors Articles for Pastors Elijah the Prophet: What We Can Learn From His Mental Health

Elijah the Prophet: What We Can Learn From His Mental Health

November 21, 2023 Bill Reese-

Elijah was not thinking rationally or realistically.

Elijah separated himself from those who could strengthen him. It is interesting how human nature works. When we get discouraged, we tend to do withdraw from human contact, and that is often the worst thing we can do! There are those around us who are trustworthy and will offer sustainability in our time of need. It is a good practice to share our ministry work with those we have equipped to serve in greater capacities. Our work can overwhelm us, often leaving us drained spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.ShareTweetPinPocketFlipboard Elijah the Prophet, a Preacher but Just Like Us Ministry can be overwhelming at times and loneliness can set in, having a deep-rooted effect and setting off a chain of events. Elijah’s mental and physical condition suggests he is in a state of desperation. He is depressed, and on the run, in what we call the fight, flight, or freeze syndrome.

The story in 1 Kings 19:1–18 ends with Ahab heading back to Jezreel to bring the sad news to Jezebel. God is still in charge and Elijah the Prophet is under divine surveillance, and the presence of the Lord was present to heal and save at all cost. Are you at a point of depravity in ministry, wanting to stop right here? The prophet Elijah is so stressed out that he has given up on the belief that he can make a difference. Why did Elijah the Prophet run away? Why do we cover up what is happening to us today? God knows who we are, where we are, and what we are going through, and he will provide what we need in a timely manner. Sometimes we just need to analyze what is happening to us. Note the following:

Elijah’s vulnerability came on the heels of a great spiritual victory.

Elijah was exhausted physically and emotionally.

Elijah got lost in self-pity. The Bible says, “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, ‘It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!’”

Elijah’s request for God to take his life does not make much sense if you think about it. He is here in the wilderness because Jezebel had threatened his life; if he wanted to die, all he had to do was stay put and Jezebel would have been more than happy to help him out. Most of us have our “desert days” of despair. The Lord promises to never leave us nor forsake us.

There are times that we get discouraged, depressed, and despondent.

There are times when we find ourselves in the grip of despair.

There are times when fear tries to possess us.

There are times when doubt tries to get the best of us.

There are times when we experience loneliness and a feeling that nobody understands us at all.

Even we as servants of our Lord and Savior, we can experience dramatic changes and cry out for human help.

God allowed Elijah the Prophet time to rest and receive refreshment.As he slept under a tree, suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Arise and eat.”Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So, he ate and drank and lay down again.The angel of the LORD came back the second time, touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”

Elijah’s ministry was not over. God is not through with us yet.So, he arose, and ate and drank; and he was strengthened by the food that God had provided for him, sustaining him those forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.

Likewise, God is not finish with us even if we fall prey to the spirit of heaviness!!!!

Matthew 11:28–30 KJV 1900

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

God burdens are light---- he gives us REST

He give of the GARMENT or the MANTLE of PRAISE.

We have a lifestyle of PRAISE! not complaining or murmuring.

Ephesians 5:19 KJV 1900

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Trademarks of Being Full of the Joy of the Lord • Lightness • Energy/strength • Hopeful for the future • Peaceful sleep • Has joy to share with others

How to Minister • Repent • Renounce • Break the yoke • Command the spirit to go in Jesus’ name • Fill steps to Minister • Make certain you have dealt with unforgiveness first. • Have them renounce the spirit of heaviness with all its lies and declare that wherever it gained an entrance into their lives it no longer has a right or access. • Break the yoke of heaviness. • Break off any and all traumas at their entry points. • Command the spirit of heaviness with all of its oppression and torment to go in the name of Jesus. Break off any generational curses of that spirit and declare by the blood of Jesus it can no longer pass to them or through them generationally. • If need be, pray to separate the pain from the memories in their mind. Ask God to fill them with the love of God and the oil of joy to overflowing! • Lay hands on their head and ask God to heal their mind and balance their neurotransmitters (brain chemicals).

Let close this service by giving God praise and glory for ALL he has done and ALL he will do!!