Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4800 Natural and supernatural phenomena » 4822 famine » 4824 famine, spiritual A state of spiritual hunger arising from a failure to experience the presence and joy of God. Scripture describes such experiences, indicates one ultimate cause to be unbelief and points to ways in which this famine can be relieved. The experience of spiritual famine God's word is withheld Amos 8:11-12 See also 1 Samuel 3:1; Psalm 74:9; Lamentations 2:9; Ezekiel 7:26; Luke 23:8-9 God's Spirit is withheld Psalm 51:11 See also Psalm 107:33-34 Causes of spiritual famine Sin Unbelief Acts 13:46 See also Acts 28:25-28 Worldliness False beliefs Self-satisfaction Revelation 3:17 It is possible to be well-fed physically but famished spiritually. Testing God See also Psalm 78:18-19,29-31 God testing his servants Job 23:3,8-10 Consequences of spiritual famine Spiritual weakness Psalm 119:81 See also Psalm 84:2 Loss of hope and joy Joel 1:16 See also Psalm 51:12 Relief of spiritual famine Relief is promised to God's people Psalm 107:9 See also Psalm 85:8-13; Isaiah 58:11; Isaiah 65:21; Amos 9:13-15 Relief comes through Jesus Christ John 6:35 See also Isaiah 9:1-3; Luke 1:53; John 6:32-33,48,50,58; 1 Corinthians 10:3-4 Relief comes by the word Isaiah 55:10-11 See also Matthew 4:4 pp Luke 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3 Relief comes by the Spirit Acts 2:17 See also Joel 2:28; Psalm 107:35-38; Isaiah 35:1-10; Isaiah 44:3 Final relief is found in heaven Revelation 7:16 See also Isaiah 49:9-10; Psalm 16:11; Revelation 21:6 Conditions of relief from spiritual famine It is offered freely Isaiah 55:1 See also John 7:37; Revelation 22:17 It is for those who desire it Matthew 5:6 See also Luke 6:21 It is for those who pray It is for those who repent Psalm 81:8-10; Isaiah 64:9-10; Hosea 14:1-8; Joel 2:13-14 It is for those who have patience James 5:7 See also Psalm 126:4-6; Ecclesiastes 11:1; John 4:35; James 5:16-18 See also
4817 drought, spiritual |
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