The "I Can't Syndrome"

Introduction: What is one of the greatest tools of the Enemy? It is doubt. Doubt causes us to stay in the boat when others walk on the water. When Peter saw Jesus walking on the sea, he said to him, "Lord , if it be you, ask me to come to you on the water." Jesus simply said, "Come." At the word of Jesus, Peter was able to walk on water. We are always able to do what God bids us to do. Peter was able to walk on the sea until he looked at the storm and doubted the word of Jesus. When Peter began to sink the Word says, "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matthew 14:31). Jesus rebuked Peter, but didn't allow him to sink. We may get on Peter's case here, but the other disciples stayed in the boat and didn't experience walking on the water. Doubt kept them from asking for Jesus to speak the word for them to come to him. Doubt also keeps us in the boat.

1. I can't do everything!

• John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

• Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

• John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

2. I can't because I am outnumbered.

• Joshua 23:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

• Psalms 60:12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

3. I can't overcome the world.

• I John 5:4 -5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

4. I can't rejoice in this situation.

• I Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore.

• Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

• James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

5. I can't understand because I am too simple.

• Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

6. I can't hear God speak to me.

• John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

7. I can't witness.

• Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

8. I can't speak because I don't know what to say.

• Matthew 10:19-20 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

9. I can't seem to get on track.

• Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

• Psalm 25:8-9 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

10. I can't know if or not I am going to heaven.

• I John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

• John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

11. I can't pray.

• I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

• Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

12. I can't because I am afraid.

• Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

• Isaiah 51:12 I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;

13. I can't make a difference.

• Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

• Jude 1:22-23 And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

14. I can't know God's will.

• Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

• I Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

• I Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

15. I can't because my parents have rejected me.

• Psalm 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

16. I can't give.

• Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

• Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

17. I can't because I am cursed.

• Galatians 3:13-14 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

18. I can't because I am persecuted.

• Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

19. I can't because I am too hurt.

• Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

• Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

20. I can't because I am too dumb.

• Psalm 119:99-100 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

21. I can't because my heart is too hard.

• Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

22. I can't because God has rejected me.

• Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

• Isaiah 41:9-10 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

23. I can't because of my family.

• Psalm 127:1-5 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

24. I can't get a peace of mind.

• Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

• Philippians 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

25. I can't go to church.

• Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

• Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26. I can't believe that there is any more to salvation.

• John 16:14 -15 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

27. I can't hold on.

• II Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

28. I can't know if others are Christians.

• Matthew 7:18-21 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

• I Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

• I John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

29. I can't understand the Word.

• II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

30. I can't get free.

• John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

31. I can't sleep.

• Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

• Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

32. I can't because I am too weak.

• Joel 3:10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

• Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

• Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

33. I can't heal anyone.

• Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

34. I can't because I am in darkness.

• Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

• Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

• I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

35. I can't because I am too tired.

• Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

• Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

36. I can't because I am too depressed.

• Psalm 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

• I Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

38. I can't resist the devil.

• James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

• I John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he than is in you, than he that is in the world.

39. I can't overcome temptation.

• I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

• Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

40. I can't stand against the enemy.

• Ephesians 6:13-14 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

41. I can't know the truth.

• John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

• John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

42. I can't make a decision.

• Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

• Matthew 16:24-26 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

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