The Enemy will distort your everyday situations, shifting your focus from God to the self with hopes that you will choose the the self over God. I wont go into detail. Thank you so much Linda for your comments! Theres a growing loss of conviction on matters of integrity. 3. While work is a typical and necessary part of a persons every day, when work becomes your main focus, it can distract you from God and cause you to lose focus of other things far more important in life. Fortunately the lifeguard was doing his job well that day, and he was successful in rescuing the husband and the wife. You need the church because you need the means of grace: the preached word, prayer, and the sacraments. This is the Day LIVE, with Dale and Jerri Robbins, Nashville, Tennessee. Paul makes clear that the spiritual drifting is the result of neglecting the priorities set by our calling into the Kingdom of God, just as a boat will drift away if it is not tied securely. It reminds me of when Peter walked on the water. 1:2; 2 Thess. A church can morph into what is commonly called legalism.. By chanting your initiatory tone or "Hu," an ancient name for God, you vibrate the name of the Lord for yourself. People struggle, God blesses them, they become prosperous, and then they depart from God. Chris Russell is an Christian writer and entrepreneur who has spent over 25 years in vocational and bi-vocational ministry. Both trees received consistent water and fertilizer. So, here are seven things that make us weary in well doing: 1. He wants to communicate with you on a deep level. Take This Soul Test To Find Out . ESV - We continue our study of the book, Imitation of Christ, We continue our journey of looking at 30 scriptures in 30 days, Sunday School: 10:00AM Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00AM Sunday Night Worship: 6:00PM Wednesday Night Study: 7:00PM, https://www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/chris-russell/5-things-that-cause-us-to-drift-spiritually.html, Bible Study Exercise: The Holy Spirit Pt 8. It reminds me of when Peter walked on the water. One of C.S. You havent had a private time of prayer and scriptural reflection in weeks, maybe months. Good article for spiritual direction and how to avoid spiritual drift. 3. His latest book is What They Didnt Teach You in Seminary (Baker). After what seemed like a short span of time, she opened her eyes and realized that she was several hundred yards away from the shore. Certain Relationships Hinder Spiritual Growth. Your Lord loves you whether you grow in your relationship with Him or not, but He would love for you to outgrow all the things that hold you back from living the amazing life of purpose He desires for you! 8 Characteristics of Churches That Embrace Evangelism, Tips for Being More Unguarded as You Lead, The Limitations of a Finish the Task Perspective on Missions, A Surprising Case for Reading the Bible in a Year, Hope Church: From Toleration to CelebrationPart 2, Hope Church: Building a Multiethnic Church in MemphisPart 1, Survey: Churchgoers Do Value Time Alone with God, but Their Practices Differ, Constantine Campbell: Jesus v. Evangelicals. All rights reserved. It really doesnt take much time at all to drift so far from the shore spiritually that one can scarcely even see the land anymore.As an active church worker and a Christian since I personally experienced the LORD ONE ON ONE and my walk with Him and in His vine yard, I have noted several key things that tend to cause Christians to drift away from God. Legalistic ideology limits growth, and yet it is extremely difficult to get untangled from! We therefore need to cultivate continuous, conscious dependence on the Spirit. 1 Timothy 6:10 May 16, 2017 - As a pastor for the past couple decades, I have noted several key things that tend to cause Christians to drift away from God. Here are five of them: 1) An Out-of-Control Schedule. My granddaughter and I watched as technicians rescued that poor sick seal. While they were there, they purchased a small, inflatable boat for recreational use on the beach. Give them abundant grace, mercy, and strength to honestly face any places that are hindering their spiritual and emotional growth. You might not be feeling well, traveling for work or on vacation. Many people begin to drift away from God, because they have sins in their lives that cause them to feel guilt when they show up at church. Sign #4: A Shift in Priorities and Values. Sanctification is part of the Spirits ministry (1 Pet. 32:29. What Makes Covenant Theology So Important? NOT! Here are seven things that may be causing you to drift off course from God. When can I find ot more? He is simply waiting for you to grow up into them and break the things that hinder spiritual growth! Genetically modified (GMO) food, and conventional food that's been treated with chemicals and pesticides. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen good people lured away from church life because they have fallen in love with things or activities that have no eternal merit. Fourth, Psalm 1 says that successful people do not get tangled up with negative, wicked, or limiting people. We hope you are blessed by our work! Some church situations are more difficult to discern because they teach a mixed message. 0 responses Going through a spiritual awakening is one of the most confusing, lonely, alienating, but also supremely beautiful experiences in life. I used to have a habit of looking at each situation negatively and thinking it was too hard. Here are seven things that may be causing you to drift off course from God. If you desire to walk closely with God, you will absolutely, necessarily have to begin by taking a close look at your calendar. 5:2; Philip. When the trials of life cause a person to become discouraged, he often begins focusing on those problems and takes his eyes off of Christ. The Spirit is the one who fills us (Eph. I watched a television show yesterday that showed technicians rescuing a seal that had a fishing line caught around its neck. Sign up to receive inspiring articles in your email inbox at www.drcynthiajohnson.com. One of the surest ways to lose spiritual power is to neglect our relationship with God. When he realized her predicament, he immediately attempted to swim out to rescue her. The video showed an eye surgeon removing a parasite from a human eye. We so often sacrifice the best things in life by spending time doing things that are just "pretty good." And they feel reluctant to pray or read their Bible when they know they have these issues in their lives. Even if the categories of formal theology seem remote and unfamiliar, you have a theology. The Surprising Secret to an Intimate Friendship With God, 3. All I can say is that the video was even worse than what youre thinking right now!When I watched that video, it dawned on me that many people like you and i have sins in their lives that are damaging them just like parasites in ones body. We so often sacrifice the best things in. 7 Things That Cause Us to Drift Spiritually. Judgmental Attitudes Definitely Hinder Growing Spiritually. We can break free from all the things that hinder our spiritual growth. If you are a citizen of this great and most populous black nation you will know what it means to live in a land that is blessed by God.People of abundance often choose recreation over worship. 4. First, our desire has a great deal to do with whether we will grow into spiritual maturity or not. 3. Several years ago a friend of mine took his wife and kids to the ocean for a week of R&R. Relationships with negative or controlling people, judgmental people, gossiping friends, and people with different priorities, will all limit your growth as a person (emotionally, mentally, and spiritually). So, what can be done? 15. Ironic, isnt it? At times our sense of spiritual realities can be strong and vibrant. This leaves our lives open to the boomerang! Relationships with some people will hinder you! People struggle, God blesses them, they become prosperous, and then they depart from God. There is pressure to conform to laws and customs. The Spirit of the Lord brings freedom, even if there may be a struggle to get free! 5 Things That Cause Us to Drift Spiritually. God bless you so much for this article, am blessed and I can now feel that some things have left me. He wants you to have a full and abundant life! I was stubborn and rebellious. 2. The real question is whether or not our theologies are true to Scripture. Today. If you are reading this please take it to heart. You care more about your image than your character. What does it mean that in the latter times some will apostatize/depart from the faith? Sometimes it's the little things that separate us from God and we don't notice it. Citrine: increases joy. We get another email from a ministry asking us for money. 2:13). 4. Every leader I know who ended up less than what they intended had, in truth, been drifting for some time. These negative thoughts are void of faith in God who is the One who can do all thingseven the impossible. 3:16). We can get so caught up in love and lust, that we lose sight of our faith, trusting on God in the midst of our relationship drama, not when we should be: at all times. The good news is you can be a successful person! Have you drifted? In the words of Corrie Ten Boom, "If the devil cannot make us bad, he will make us busy.". We so often sacrifice the best things in lifebyspending time doing things that are just pretty good.. Whenever you become more focused on yourself than on God, you separate yourself from Him and drift spiritually, letting the ego run the showchoosing your understanding over God and His love for you. During the past couple decades that I have served as a pastor, I have often watched Satan using his weapon of discouragement to drag people away from spiritual activities. Vote Up Then share your situation with someone you can trust to help whois outside the situation. Get started with an exclusive offer from Logos Bible Software! What you believe makes a big difference in your Christian life. We love you! Sometimes, its the lack of wealth and the stress that comes along with not having enough that causes a major spiritual drift. But He was there. Is it wrong to use our own supplies or money to advance Jesus mission? And they feel reluctant to pray or read their Bible when they know they have these issues in their lives. And those sins will almost certainly affect your spiritual vision. Discover this resource that will guide you with sound Biblical principles step-by-step into a deeper relationship with God.