(This series of writings on the “Enemies of Thankfulness” was prompted by listening to an excellent sermon from Dr. John MacArthur entitled “Thanks, No Matter What” on 1 Thessalonians 5:18. The sermon was from 1995, I believe.)

“in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:18

Before this series is over, I am hoping to write about five “Enemies of Thankfulness.” These five enemies are Doubt, Selfishness, Worldliness, having a Critical spirit and Impatience with God’s timing. Whenever any one of these five enemies begins to rear its ugly head and begins to choke out your thankfulness, the believer should intentionally and immediately begin to extol the mighty works of the Lord and thank Him for His gracious gifts. This should become a reflex for the believer: when thanklessness and coldness and a feeling of ingratitude appear, the believer should automatically begin to praise the Lord and to give Him thanks.
Thanking the Lord and praising the Lord always increases joy and hope and intensifies our light for Christ and heats up the Spirit’s flame, but falling victim to any one of these enemies of thankfulness always decreases joy, dims your light for Christ and dampens the Holy Spirit’s fire in your life.
So develop the habit of giving thanks and praise to the Lord whenever your joy begins to waver and experience how your spirit revives. “In everything, give thanks.”