Episode Overview

Theme:
In "The Strong Spirit Of A Man, Part 2," Morgan Dufresne continues her teaching at the JTH Crusades in Collinsville, Oklahoma, focusing on what it truly means to have a strong spirit according to the Word of God. Drawing fresh insights from Proverbs 18:14, she contrasts the biblical understanding of spiritual strength and weakness, offering practical guidance on cultivating a strong inner life. The message blends personal anecdotes, biblical examples, and memorable illustrations to encourage believers to not only do great works for God but to become Christlike in character.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Victory and Seeing as God Sees

• Morgan opens by reminding believers that victory is already theirs because "the one who has already seen what my outcome is and the victory that's on the other side of anything I’m facing, he's already seen my total and complete victory."
• Urges the congregation to "walk by what He sees, not what we see." (00:45)

2. Revisiting the Strong Spirit (Proverbs 18:14)

• Scripture Reference: Proverbs 18:14 – "The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble; but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear."
• Morgan highlights that “weakness” is not about the difficulties we face, but how we face them. It's the response, not the event, that measures strength. (03:05)
• "It's not about what you go through, it's how you go through what you go through." (04:20)

3. Solitude and Developing Strength

• Draws from the life of David, emphasizing the strength gained in time spent alone with God versus constant distraction and activity.
• "Weakness has to fill itself with activity... something to keep it distracted from facing and dealing and confronting." (06:00)
• Contrasts social media affirmation with God's affirmation, urging young people to build self-image in God, not through others. (10:15)

4. Signs of a Weak Spirit

Morgan identifies three main signs:

a. Complaint

• "The number one, the sound of weakness, the first sound of weakness is complaint. It’s not doubt, it’s complaint." (15:45)
• Cites biblical examples (David's brothers, three Hebrew boys, Daniel, Paul, Jesus) who never complained, unlike those with weak spirits.
• "Complaining is the conversation of the cripple—not physically cripple, spiritually cripple." (18:15)

b. Disobedience

• "If complaining is the conversation of the weak, then disobedience is the demonstration of the weak." (21:25)
• Disobedience is not just to God, but to any legitimate authority—pastors, bosses, leaders in life.
• Shares her prayer for her children: not for gifts or anointings, but for “a heart and will submitted unto God.” (24:35)

c. Lack of Developed Character: Fruit of the Spirit

• Weakness is also revealed in the underdevelopment of the fruit of the Spirit, not just a lack of miraculous works.
• "We can reach and press for miracles, but if there’s no strength in our character, would He be coming back for His glorious church?" (48:10)
• Emphasizes the importance of being strong "not only in works, but in the character of God—in love, patience, kindness, self-control." (51:00)

5. Practical Self-Discipline

• Advocates speaking to oneself: "Morgan, do yourself a favor and shut up." (29:05)
• Encourages audience to "buffet" their bodies and thoughts, referencing Paul: “He did not say, 'I comfort my body'...I handle it roughly.”
• “No one’s going to make you strong. You decide.” (33:10)

6. The Importance of Exercising Spiritual Strength

• Uses a gym analogy: attending church (being in the gym) is not the same as actually exercising (building strength).
• "Preaching strength and hearing strength is not becoming strength." (36:20)
• Encourages actively putting the Word into practice, not just being present.

7. Drawing Out What’s Put In: Illustration

• Visual aid using a cup and straw: It's not enough to be filled with the Word; you must draw it out with your mouth—declare God’s promises aloud. (41:00)
• “Don’t be okay just cruising around with your cup. My cup runneth over. Well, does it? If it’s running over, are you pulling enough out every day?” (43:40)
• Cites Caleb, who for 40 years continually said, “My mountain,” as an example of persistent faith and confession. (46:20)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Weakness:
  "Avoidance is not strength. Pretending like something isn't there isn't faith. Amen." (07:35)

• On Complaint:
  "Complaining is the conversation of the cripple, the weak." (18:15)

• On Disobedience:
  "Defiance is weakness. Obedience meant something to Jesus in front of others." (23:30)

• On Self-discipline:
  "If you can’t tell yourself to shut up—well, that's not very nice. Well, I’m sometimes not dealing with very nice thoughts." (29:05)

• On Spiritual Exercise:
  "Going to the gym doesn’t make you strong, does it? How often do we look at ourselves and go: I went to church. Okay, you went, but what did you do?" (35:15)

• On Drawing from Within:
  "How do we take the strength that’s in our spirit and draw it out? What’s in our spirit—it’s going to come up through our mouths." (41:40)

• On Character Over Works:
  "Jesus is not just wanting to come back and say, look at all the things my church did—He wants to come back because we have become like Him." (50:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Victory Perspective & Opening Prayer: 00:00–02:00
• Understanding Weakness and Strength (Proverbs 18): 03:05–14:00
• Signs of Weakness – Complaint: 15:45–20:00
• Signs of Weakness – Disobedience: 21:25–28:00
• Self-Discipline & Internal Dialogue: 29:05–35:00
• Spiritual Exercise—Not Just Attendance: 36:20–41:00
• Heart/Mouth Illustration (Cup & Straw): 41:00–45:30
• Importance of Confession – Caleb Example: 46:20–48:00
• Character Development and Fruit of the Spirit: 48:10–52:30
• Closing Encouragement and Call to Action: 52:30–End

Final Encouragement

Morgan closes by urging listeners to pursue not just “great exploits for God,” but to become "great like Him"—emphasizing transformation into the likeness of Christ in both power and character. She reminds believers to support those receiving ministry with their faith and to constantly draw from the strength God has placed inside by declaring His Word.

“Jesus is not just going to return because of what we do. He wants to return because of who we've become.” (51:45)

For more episodes and resources, visit dufresneministries.org.