Spiritual depression - Lloyd-Jones - V - Chapter 5

Required reading

Spiritual Depression by D. M. Lloyd-Jones (available from Amazon) - Read Chapter 5, 'That one sin'. 

My notes and thoughts
Today Lloyd-Jones explores the way that some Christians are depressed because of one particular sin that they committed in the past.  He suggests that this unnecessary anxiety needs to be dealt with by:
(i) Looking at the Apostle Paul who was the very worst of sinners and yet was forgiven
(ii) Remembering that there is essentially only one sin that separates us from God, unbelief;
(iii) Believing the Scriptures;
(iv) Understanding the implications of the cross - that sin is finished there;
(v) Being clear about justification;
(vi) Realising your union with Christ - the old man has been crucified. 

I thought it was a great point that we should not encourage people to pray about that sin: 'You must stop praying at times because your prayer may just be reminding you of the problem and keeping your mind fixed upon it.  So you must stop praying and think, and work out your doctrine.'  Later, Lloyd-Jones continues the thought: 'Believe the Word of God, my friend.  Do not go on praying frantically to be forgiven that sin.  Believe God's Word.  Do not ask Him for a message of forgiveness.  He has given it to you.  Your prayer may well be an expression of unbelief at that point.  Believe Him and His Word.' 

It always sounds wrong that sometimes we shouldn't pray, but often the reason we are always praying is because we aren't doing what we should be doing.  In this case, believing his Word that we have been forgiven of ALL our sins.  Prayer about the sin would be a mockery of the Word. 

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.