Beware of Spiritual Famine # 168

Amos 8:11

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

Famines are harsh and brutal. They test the strength of man and beast through drought and starvation. The weak will become victims of its merciless destruction while the strong survive to live another day. Spiritual famine is a covert killer hiding behind a religious disguise; it is often undetected until it is too late.

God has given us provision to be spiritually healthy: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Why then are there so many weak and frail people in the house of God today? Perhaps due to the deprivation of the uncompromising Word of God, many have turned to a mere “form of Godliness”. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. When man is deprived of the Word of God, he will become victim of the famine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.

Today, the evidence of a spiritual famine is overwhelming in the house of God. It can be clearly seen by the actions as well as reactions of the people. God's Word is often referred to as unleavened bread, yet it has been diluted with yeast and fluffiness in order to feed the multitude. Aerated, empty messages produce weak Christians. Spiritual malnutrition is the result of what is being fed to the people. Hence, the result is a powerless, feeble generation that speaks the name of Christ without truly knowing Him or His authority. Let us honestly evaluate the Scripture by which to judge ourselves. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. The house of God is filled with a prayer-less people. Prayer is the least desirable thing to do, yet it is the most important thing for a Christian to do. In times of sickness we call upon a physician, in times of need we depend on support groups instead of Christ. Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Many would rather travel great distances to hear a speaker give a message to the multitude rather than meditating on the Word of God for themselves and obtaining a personal revelation from God. Many attend Bible study groups to know what God is saying only because they do not study the Bible on their own. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Due to the famine many are tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. We know what to do, however, we don't have the strength to do it, evidenced by our action; be honest, judge yourselves to see where you stand.

Famine can be devastating if you are not prepared for it. As God gave Joseph wisdom on how to survive the famine in the land, He has also given us wisdom to survive our personal famine. This can be accomplished by abiding in the Word of God, applying it daily. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Therefore, seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

John 6:35, Mat 4:4, 2Tim 4:3, Mat 6:41, Mat 26:26, 2Tim 2:15, Eph 4:14,

Joshua 1:8, Mat 6:33

KJV