What does a doctor do before he makes a prescription? He diagnoses. He identifies the root of the problem. Peter complains of nasal discharge, facial pain and fever. On examination, there is a tenderness over the bony part of the face above the eye. Examination of the nasal discharge reveals it to be purulent. It is a purulent infection - the discharging of pus. An X-Ray shows evidence of infection of the cavity or sinus above the eye, i.e. Frontal Sinusitis. Peter is prescribed antibiotics, painkillers, and decongestants. He recovers within 2-3 days. James wakes up in the middle of the night with severe pain in the region of his right big toe. He is seen by a doctor who notes that the big toe is warm and tender. He has a history of gout. The doctor diagnoses him to be having an acute gouty attack. He prescribes painkillers as well as an anti-inflammatory medication to relieve the swelling, inflammation and pain. He is advised to reduce intake of foods high in uric acid that precipitates gouty attack.

Spiritually speaking, it is necessary to make a diagnosis before steps are taken to rectify the problems faced. The problems could be sins, lack of discipline, physical weaknesses that affect one’s spiritual life, lack of vitamins, etc. The common advice given to a brother or a sister who is spiritually sick is to read the Bible, pray or join a fellowship. Anybody can give such an advice but whether he or she takes heed to it or not is to be seen. By the way, joining a church programme may not be the answer to his or her spiritual problems. What he or she needs is perhaps plenty of rest or a change of lifestyle.

Spiritual sickness is a very common phenomenon among God’s people. It is a disease so prevalent among them that there is scarcely one of us who has not at some time or other suffered from it. In fact, if we were to be honest, and to judge ourselves rightly, some of us reading this may even be feeling sick now.

Spiritual sickness must not be taken lightly because it can lead to spiritual degeneration or immobility. Let me share with you several cures to spiritual sickness.

What does it mean to be a Christian? This is a very important question because the answer you give will determine how much you actually understand the power of the unchanging Gospel. The unchanging Gospel is a life changing Gospel (2 Corinthians 5:17). Christians are called to be salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). But the irony is that Christians are lacking spiritual influence in the society. Why?

One of the reasons is that they do not understand the Gospel and its implications. In the New Testament, the writers recorded for us many examples of people who claimed to belong to Christ, but in practice they were enemies of Christ. These people claimed to follow Him, but in the end they betrayed and persecuted Him (John 2:23-25; 3:16; 6:60-71; 8:30-31; Luke 14:25-27; Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 4:46). Unfortunately, there are many people who bear the name "Christian" in the church today.

Someone rightly said, "Christian names are everywhere. But Christian men and women are very rare." What is a Christian? What is to be born again like?

Let me share with you what a truly born again Christian is.

Paul makes it clear that Christians need to discipline themselves for the purpose of godly living. He exhorts Christians to run and strive lawfully to win (2 Timothy 2:5). In order to live victoriously and triumphantly, they have to be self-disciplined in all aspects of the Christian life (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 2:16; Hebrews 12:1-2). A good example is our prayer life. Prayer is an essential ingredient to the Christian life. The saints of the Old Testament prayed (1 Samuel 1:10; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Nehemiah 1:4). Jesus prayed. When He was on earth, He spent much time in prayer (Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:23; 26:36-44). He even prayed for His enemies on the cross (Luke 23:34). Jesus’ disciples prayed (Acts 1:14; 3:1; 10:9). The saints of the New Testament prayed. Paul prayed (Acts 9:11; Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4). The people of God prayed (Acts 12:12) and have been praying since then.

The late Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones said, "Man is at his greatest and highest when upon his knees he comes face to face with God" (Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, 2 Vols. [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977], 2:45). And yet at no time in our Christian life had prayer come easily. "Hard to believe," grieved a Christian, "I have been a Christian for ten years, and still I have to force myself to pray."

Dearly beloved, let us discipline ourselves in all aspects of our Christian life for the purpose of godly living. Let us be reminded by the words of Hebrews that say, "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief" (4:11).

What is Jesus’ way to true happiness? Jesus promises us a full and meaningful life (John 10:10), but countless Christians are not experiencing it. Where is this joy of salvation? So they spend much time seeking for it by attending Christian retreats or conferences, hoping to get this experience that is going to fill them with unspeakable joy. Yes, they hunger and thirst after experiences, but they never get it. Why?

Jesus said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). He did not say, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after experiences." So the answer to a superabundant life, a full and meaningful life is to hunger and thirst after righteousness.

But what does it mean to "hunger and thirst after righteousness"? "To hunger and thirst" means to have a consciousness of our need. This awareness of our need is not a passing feeling or desire. It is something that goes on increasing and makes one feel desperate. It is something that keeps you on until you feel satisfied. St Augustine spoke of this hunger and thirst when he wrote in his Confession, "Thou hast made us for thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee" (Confessions, I, 1). Yes. Man will never find rest until he rests in God.

The psalmist spoke well of the hungering and thirsting of God. He said, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God" (Psalm 42:1, 2a).

John Nelson Darby also put it beautifully, "To be hungry is not enough; I must be really starving to know what is in His heart towards me. When the prodigal son was hungry he went to feed upon husks, but when he was starving, he turned to his father." Yes, "to be hungry" means to be starving, to realise we are dying because we have nothing.

How do I know that I am hungry? The answer lies in the first beatitude: "Blessed are the poor in spirit (spiritual poverty): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:2). The logic is this: A man cannot feel hungry spiritually if he does not see and acknowledge his own sinfulness or his need of God. However, if he does, he will not only be hungry but also thirsty. Like the woman at the well who said to Jesus, "Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw" (John 4:15).