Common Questions About Spiritual Depression and Christian Discipline According to Martyn Lloyd-Jones

What is spiritual depression according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, spiritual depression is a condition in which Christians find themselves unhappy, ineffective, and doubting. He describes it as a "contradiction in terms" since Christians should be joyful, but acknowledges it's a reality many believers face. In his sermon, he describes spiritually depressed Christians as "barren and unfruitful," lacking in knowledge and understanding, and failing to comprehend what has happened to them in salvation. Their lives appear ineffective and they seem "bound in shallows and in miseries" rather than flowing with "living waters."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the main cause of spiritual depression in 2 Peter 1?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones' analysis of 2 Peter 1:5-7, the main cause of spiritual depression is "a lack of discipline" and order in the Christian life. He identifies two specific aspects of this problem:

1. A wrong view of faith - Many Christians have a "magical" or "mystical" view of faith, thinking that faith works automatically without any effort on their part.

2. Laziness or indolence - Many believers suffer from "sheer laziness," "slackness," or what Peter calls "a lack of diligence." They procrastinate in spiritual matters and fail to order their lives in a way that prioritizes spiritual growth.

What does it mean to "add to your faith" according to the sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the phrase "add to your faith" (2 Peter 1:5) means to "supplement," "furnish out," or complete your faith. He says the Greek word used was associated with providing a chorus or orchestra for Greek dramas - making a performance complete and fully rounded. Christians are to supplement their basic faith with several qualities:

1. Virtue (moral energy, vigor, power)
2. Knowledge (insight, understanding, enlightenment)
3. Temperance (self-control in all aspects of life)
4. Patience (patient endurance, perseverance)
5. Godliness (maintaining proper relationship with God)
6. Brotherly kindness (relationship to fellow Christians)
7. Charity (love toward all people)

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones refute the idea that spiritual discipline is works-based salvation?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses the concern that emphasizing discipline might lead to "justification by works." He explains this is a subtle deception from the devil, making Christians afraid to discipline themselves lest they fall into legalism. He clarifies:

"The error of justification by works is to trust to your own disciplining of yourself. But the opposite of trusting to your works is not to do nothing, it's to do everything, but not to trust to them. It isn't the works that are wrong. It is putting your faith in your works."

He identifies this misunderstanding as "one of the major heresies in Protestantism today" where "in our fear of justification by works, we have been tending to say works don't matter." He emphasizes that the apostle Peter himself commands believers to "add to your faith" and "give all diligence."

What benefits come from spiritual discipline according to the sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several benefits that come from practicing spiritual discipline:

1. Assurance of salvation - "You make your calling and election sure by doing these things"
2. Joy and peace in the present - "You'll have great joy, you'll have great peace, you'll have great happiness"
3. Prevention of falling - "If you do these things, you shall never fall"
4. A triumphant entrance into eternity - "An entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom"

Rather than a begrudging duty, Lloyd-Jones presents spiritual discipline as the path to a joyful, fruitful Christian life that impacts others and prepares believers for a "glorious and triumphant, exhilarating and exuberant" entrance into heaven.