Fighting A Spirit of Discouragement: Part 2
Using Scripture to Define, Recognize, and Combat Discouragement
What Does the Bible Say?
The Bible speaks of discouragement on several different occasions. While there are countless examples of people being discouraged in the Bible, I want to start by simply looking at scripture that actually explicitly mentions the word “discourage,” discouraged,” or “discouragement.”
For this word study, I searched for every time those words above were used in the NIV. (On one occasion I used the CSB translation, because that is the study Bible that I am currently using.) And just to be transparent, sometimes one translation would use the word “discourage” or a variation of the word, but when searching in Strong’s Concordance, a synonym or similar phrase was used in a different translation. I still viewed these as expressions of the word “discourage,” which is why I included them.
I included a screenshot below of the table that I created to document the various scripture using variations of the word “discourage” along with the different definitions in Strong’s Concordance.
Observations on Scripture
In my word study, I essentially found nine different definitions of the word (or variations of the word) “discourage” using Strong’s Concordance:
1. shortness, impatience, anguish
2. to hinder, hold back, forbid, disallow, restrain, frustrate
3. to be shattered, be dismayed, be broken, be abolished, be afraid
4. to be weary, be impatient, be grieved, be offended
5. to grow weak, grow dim, grow faint, falter, be weak, be dim, be darkened, be restrained, be faint, fail
6. to crush, oppress
7. of a sad and gloomy countenance
8. to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out,
9. to be disheartened, dispirited, broken in spirit
While studying, one thing that I noticed is that in nearly every one of the scriptures above that occurred in the Old Testament, discouragement is used in conjunction with the word “afraid.” This leads me to reason that there must be a strong connection between being afraid and being discouraged.
I also noticed that whenever the speaker told someone not to be discouraged, they also often told them to have “courage.” Again, a clear connection between discouragement and fear is implied.
In my CSB Study Bible, I couldn’t help but notice that Luke 24:17 described two of Jesus’ disciples as discouraged following the crucifixion. In the scripture from Luke, neither the words “afraid” or “courage” are mentioned.
“Then he asked them, ‘What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?’ And they stopped walking and looked discouraged” (CSB translation of Luke 24:17).
However, in many translations, the word “discouraged” is not used in Luke 24:17, but instead, various synonyms for sadness:
“…And they stood still, looking sad” (ESV, emphasis added)
“…They stopped short, sadness written across their faces” (NLT, emphasis added)
“…They stood still, their faces downcast” (NIV, emphasis added)
“And He said to them, ‘What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?’” (NKJV, emphasis added)
Based on this, one could argue that discouragement could also be interpreted as a deep sadness or feeling of dismay.
In an attempt to simplify the list of nine definitions, I came up with these overarching themes related to discouragement:
Emotional distress
Hindrance or restraint
Weariness or weakness
Spiritual brokenness
Application to Our Personal Encounter
The whole purpose of this dive into discouragement originates from the spiritual attack that my husband and I both experienced recently. Naturally, I wanted to look at our encounters in light of what I had found in my study.
Unsurprisingly, both of our incidents matched the four themes above almost exactly.
During our individual encounters with a spirit of discouragement, we both experienced emotional distress, felt hindered or restrained spiritually, endured an overpowering weariness, as well as experienced a spiritual brokenness when we were in the thick of the attack.
Examples of People Facing Discouragement in the Bible
Now that we have a pretty clear picture of what it means to be discouraged, I want us to look at some examples of people who faced discouragement in the Bible.
I think this is important, because when we are in the midst of such a spiritual attack, one of the tactics of the enemy is to isolate us and make us feel as if we are completely alone. I personally find comfort in knowing that many of the heroes of the faith also experienced times of dismay and yet still came out the other side victorious.
Job - Job is possibly the first person most individuals think of when recounting examples of people who faced discouragement in the Bible. He lost everything of value in his life - family, property, you name it. (You can read the account of Job here.)
Moses - In Numbers 11:13-14, Moses becomes so discouraged in taking care of the Israelites that he had led out of Egypt that he asks the Lord to kill him.
David - In both Psalm 13 and Psalm 42, David expresses his discouragement and dismay, even asking why God has forsaken him, yet still resolves to praise the Lord.
Elijah - In 1 Kings 19, Elijah was so afraid of Queen Jezebel’s threats that he ran for his life. Facing extreme fear and discouragement, he asked God to take his life.
Rachel - Unable to bear children for her husband, Jacob, Rachel told him in her despair that she would die if he did not give her children. Genesis 30:1
Hannah - In 1 Samuel chapter 1, Hannah cries out to God in her anguish, asking Him to please give her a son.
John the Baptist - While in prison, John the Baptist seemed to experience discouragement when he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He was truly the Messiah. Matthew 11:1-3
Jesus - I think we would be remiss to leave out Jesus himself as an example of someone who faced extremely discouraging situations. In Luke 22:44, scripture says He was in such anguish while praying on the Mount of Olives before His arrest that “his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (NIV). While He did not succumb to the discouragement, I think it is important that we recognize that He, too, experienced extremely discouraging moments while on this earth.
Jesus’ Disciples - The disciples surely were discouraged when they saw their Lord and Savior brutally beaten, lead to the cross, and die a criminal’s death. In Luke 24:17 (CSB), two of the disciples are described as looking discouraged while, unbeknownst to them, speaking to Jesus on their way to Emmaus.
Synthesis of Scriptural Situations
Based on the examples above, we can see that discouragement often arises when we:
experience loss and suffering
face overwhelming responsibilities
are experiencing feelings of abandonment or forsakenness
face fear and threats
have unfulfilled desires and longing
are facing long-term challenges and waiting
are struggling with doubt and filled with questions
are in the midst of intense emotional distress
Why is it important to note when discouragement seems to be most likely to occur? Well, if we know when and how our enemy prefers to strike, then we can be more prepared to recognize his tactics when they occur.
During a tough season of life, I once had a spiritual mentor and friend lovingly tell me that she had noticed in our years of friendship my faith seems to sink when I am physically tired. Naturally, the enemy often takes advantage of this and chooses to attack me when I am physically or mentally exhausted.
Being made aware of my personal tendency to struggle with faith and important decisions during times of weariness has helped me to, first of all, be more vigilant and, second of all, to not flounder as much when I am being attacked. I know that I am not fighting against flesh and blood and that I must turn to spiritual weapons to fight back.
In the same vein, knowing the characteristics of a spirit of discouragement helps us to recognize when we are being attacked so that we can engage with the right weapons to engage in spiritual warfare.
And that is exactly what Part Three will focus on - how to use Biblical truth to help fight against a spirit of discouragement. Check back in later this week for the concluding installment of this three-part series, where you'll discover the essential tools for engaging in spiritual warfare effectively.
As always, I pray that the Lord blesses you greatly and that you forever look to Him as your personal guide and Savior as we all continue to travel between two worlds. 🤎