'Strangers Have Devoured His Strength'
Spiritual weakness is caused by allowed sin and unhallowed association with strangers, leading to powerlessness and vulnerability to sin.
D.L. Moody emphasizes the spiritual weakness that arises from sin and the dangers of associating with worldly influences, which he describes as 'strangers' that devour our strength. He illustrates the futility of a backsliding Christian, comparing them to a cake baked only on one side, and warns that friendship with the world is enmity against God. Moody uses the imagery of Ephraim as a silly dove, lacking the strength to escape danger due to sin, highlighting the importance of remaining steadfast in faith to be effective lights in a dark world.
Text
Strangers have devoured his strength -- from Hosea 7:9
What gives spiritual weakness like allowed sin? It was so with Israel, it will ever be so with us. Yielding to unhallowed association (with) strangers devour our strength.
If you ever saw a cake not turned, baked only on one side, of what use is it? Of what use is a worldly, backsliding Christian?
"Strangers have devoured his strength" tells of the powerlessness of one under sin. The order is, first, at conversion, God takes us up out of this present evil age; and then next, sends us into it. Not to be of it, but to be lights in it, and to take others out of it.
"The friendship of the world is enmity to God." It is like the ivy with the oak (tree), the ivy may give the oak a grand, beautiful appearance, but all the while it is feeding on the vitals.
The next image tells of the result. Ephraim is like a silly dove, without heart "some read with but one wing," and so unable to fly. Thus where sin is, there is no power to rise and get out of danger.
It is proverbial of doves, that when any surprise or sudden alarm comes upon them they are without heart and have no strength so that instead of fleeing from danger, they seem hopelessly to fall into it. -- J. D. S.
Sermon Outline
- The Source of Spiritual Weakness
- The Consequences of Spiritual Weakness
- The Cause of Spiritual Weakness
- The friendship of the world is enmity to God
- The ivy-like influence of the world feeds on our vitals
- The powerlessness of one under sin
Key Quotes
“Strangers have devoured his strength” — D.L. Moody
“The friendship of the world is enmity to God” — D.L. Moody
“It is proverbial of doves, that when any surprise or sudden alarm comes upon them they are without heart and have no strength” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- We must be careful not to allow sin and unhallowed association to devour our strength.
- The friendship of the world is a threat to our spiritual well-being, and we must be wary of its influence.
- As Christians, we must rise above the world's influence and remain lights in the darkness.