Gaining Victory Over Worry Series

Gaining Victory over Worry

Matthew 6: 25-34

We have read a portion of Scripture to which we can all relate. I am sure that some of us are worse than others, but we all have occasions in life when we worry. I know that I am guilty of worrying needlessly many times. We may not like to consider it, but worry is actually a sin. When we worry, we are doubting God, lacking genuine faith in Him.

We are not the first generation to experience worry and anxiety. When we study the Bible we find many occasions where people worried and doubted God. Worry is part of the fallen nature of humanity. We are filled with a sense of self-preservation, and far too often we depend more on ourselves or surrounding influences than we do on God. “A doctor once made a catalog of the worries of his patients. He found that 40% of them worried over things which never happened. And 30% of the worries were over past matters which were now beyond their control. Then 12% were anxious over their health, although their only illness was in their imagination. And 10% worried over their families and friends and neighbors, although in most cases these people were endowed with enough common sense to look after themselves. Finally, only 8% of the worries had real causes which needed attention. If the doctor's analysis was correct, nine-tenths of our worries are entirely useless and are unworthy of concern.” (1)

Let’s take a few moments to consider the teaching of our Lord regarding the conditions of worry and anxiety as we think on: Gaining Victory over Worry.

I. The Exhortation in the Text (25) – Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Jesus offers and exhortation concerning worry. Consider:

A. The Directive – Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Here Jesus commands us to take no thought for our lives concerning what we shall eat, drink, or wear. We are well aware that these are not luxurious items, but necessities for all people. We must have food to eat and clothes to wear if we are to survive, but we must not allow those things to consume our being. It is possible to worry so over day to day things that we lose focus of spiritual things. If we live a life consumed with worry, we will be of little benefit to anyone, and miss what the Lord has for us.

B. The Discernment (25a) – We must be cautious as we look at these words of our Lord. We must receive them as they are given. Jesus has instructed that we don’t allow worry and anxiety to consume our lives, but this is not a license for laziness. Jesus does not imply that we are to sit around and expect someone else to provide for us. This is not an admonition against planning and making provision for the future. God expects us to do what we can to provide for our daily existence, and He fully expects us to put forth the necessary effort for our families. 1 Tim.5:8 – But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 2 Thes.3:10 – For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. Prov.28:19 – He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

C. The Devotion (25b) – Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? As we will discuss in a moment, God is faithful to provide for His own. Sadly, many forsake the things of the Lord for the things of this world. Many focus entirely upon the worldly material possessions in life and fail to seek the spiritual. Food and raiment are necessary, but we must guard against allowing the desire for these things to keep us from that which God desires. Mark 8:36 – For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Phil.3:19 – Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. Isaiah 61:10 – I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. The physical man must eat, but we cannot neglect the spiritual man. This physical body is temporal, but the spirit is eternal and will dwell forever.