Healing The Wounded Spirit

Part 2

1. Introduction:

Proverbs 15:13 - “By sorrow of heart the spirit is broken”

· The spirit of man can be broken – 5218 – wounded, damaged, driven back.

· When the spirit of a man is damaged, his whole life is impacted.

a) 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - The Nature of Man

i) Body => The visible physical expression of the inner man

ii) Soul => The soul fills the body – it has the shape, size and form and looks like me.

=> The mind, will, emotions fill the body – they are part of the soul.

iii) Spirit => The spirit fills the soul and body and gives life to them.

=> The spirit originates from God – has a spirit nature – not confined to the body.

b) Functions of the Spirit

i) Bare life to the body and soul. James 2:26

ii) Nourish and support the body and soul. Romans 18:14

iii) To connect and communicate with God. 1 Corinthians 6:17 – to bond in intimacy.

iv) To connect and impact natural and spirit realm around us. 2 Corinthians 5:16

e.g. 1^st Manifestation is in your countenance. Psalm 34:5; Exodus 34:29

When people are full of life there is a spiritual “brightness” on their face.

e.g. 2^nd Manifestation is in the atmosphere around you.

- People try to sneak up on you – you ‘feel’ them.

- People stare at you – you “feel” their presence.

- The area around you is owned - - “my Space”

- The ‘atmosphere’ around is impacted

e.g. angry; calm; self-pity; joy; sexual vibes

e.g. 3^rd Manifestation is in the ability to move in the spirit realm. Colossians 2:5

- Spirit of man can enter haven, travel, see.

NB: When the spirit of man is wounded both body and soul are impacted. Proverbs 17:22 - “mercy heart - - broken spirit dries the bones.

Premature aging; vulnerable to sickness.

How the Human Spirit is Wounded:

Proverbs 15:13 - “by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken”

i) Abandonment – when key people abandon us the spirit is wounded.

Psalm 142:4 - No man would know me, refuge failed me, no man cared for my soul”

- Children abandoned by parents.

- Husband abandons wife for another.

- Parent dies prematurely.

- Child separated from parent at birth – sickness, adoption.

ii) Abuse – when people who should protect instead of mistreat.

- Abusive Words Psalm 69:20

- Physical Abuse Ephesians 6:4

- Sexual Abuse 2 Samuel 13:20

- Mental Abuse Proverbs 18:21 – sickness, neglect, threats.

iii) Betrayal – when people who we trusted betray us the wound is deep.

Psalm 41:9 “It was my own familiar friend in whom I trusted”

- Betrayal can only occur between close relationships where trust exists.

- Adultery is betrayal. Malachi 2:15-16

- Betraying confidences, exposing secrets, speaking against behind your back.

iv) Rejection – when key people in life reject us the spirit is wounded.

- Unwanted child, untimely pregnancy, rejection by peers, broken relationship

v) Sin – Sin produces sorrow and can wound the spirit.

- Psalm 51:3 - ‘my sin is ever before me’

- Proverbs 6:32 - ‘he that commits adultery destroys own soul, a wound …’

vi) Trauma – Tragic events can deeply wound the spirit.

E.g. Accidents, fires, floods, natural disasters.

- John 9:3 - ‘not all bad things are the cause of personal sin’

Symptoms of the Wounded Spirit:

(1) Sensitivity – “Touchy”

· Like the person is bleeding inside.

· No resilience – can’t bounce back.

· Easily re-injured by small things.

· Hurt and ache within never seem to heal properly.

(2) Constant Grief and Sorrow

· Constantly unhappy.

· Like a black cloud that lingers.

· Not impacted by others joy.

· “Gloomy” – Frequently sick.

(3) Inability to Trust

· Trust is the bridge in relationships.

· Trust is fragile.

· When trust fails, the bridge fails.

(4) Hopelessnesslessness

· No anticipation that things will get better.

· No way of escape.

·Doesn’t recognise there’s hope in God.

(5) p; Agreement with Death

· Hoping for death – release.

· Constantly thinking that the world will be better without me.

· Death-wish attracts spirits.

(6) Isolated and Disconnected

· No maturation – passive.

· Withdraw and isolate so not hurt.

· Constant sense of loneliness.

We were designed by God for relationship – connection to God.

Isolation – detachment is a malfunction – relational trust.n – detachment is a malfunction – relational trust.

Deep inner part longs to connect to the Lord for love for life.

4. Comfort and Control:

a) God wants to Comfort:

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 - “He who has loved us and has given us everlasting comfort and good hope through grace”

· God desire to give us both comfort and hope.

· Can refuse to be comforted by God or turn to Him.

· Where do you turn?

· How do you respond?

b) False Comfort are Idols:

· Comfort = to relieve the pain, refresh one-self.

To call alongside for help, relief, strength.

False Comfort:

· People, things, and activities we attract to relieve pain.

· Quick fix – short temporary relief – don’t address issue.

· Promise relief increase pain and emptiness.

· Substitute for the comfort God offers.

· Idols – control and damage our life and relationships.

· Addictive – become a destructive habit – attachment.

· Open the doors for control by evil spirits.

Examples:

(1) Revenge – retaliation - Genesis 27:42

(2) Sexual Sin - Proverbs 7:18

(3) Food - Exodus 32:6

(4) Alcohol / Drugs - Proverbs 23:29-33

(5) Fantasy - Ezekiel 8:12 – TV, Books, Computer Games,

Day Dream, Text

(6) Control - Deny the problem and suppress it

- Distractions – fill life with busyness

c) Can those bones live?

Ezekiel 37

Verse 1-2 - Valley – full of bones – very many, very dry.

Verse 11 - Bones dry – hope is lost.

Verse 3-4 - Prophesy – breath comes into them. (Verse 10)

Need to repent of idols and turn to the Living God.