Dictionary of Bible Themes: 4824 famine, spiritual

4824 famine, spiritual

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

Isaiah 59:2

Unbelief

Acts 13:46 See also Acts 28:25-28

Worldliness

Isaiah 55:2

False beliefs

Isaiah 8:19-22

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

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

Psalm 107:4-9; James 5:16

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