The Christian life consists of many decisions we have to make every day that concerns our spiritual growth. Making these decisions is best coupled with prayer, reading the Word, sharing your faith, and believing God's promises. As believers we have to be aware of the potential for us to "lose interest" in the things of God. God's Word gives us clear warning about the dangers of drifting away from Him. God will not stop you from drifting away, but He will do continually prompt you through your spirit to get back on course. In this day and time we can't afford to drift away from God because without Him we can't survive spiritually.
How To Identify If You Are Drifting Away From God
There are several signs that you may be drifting away from the Lord and allowing yourself to just move along with the flow of the world. Here are six signs you may be moving away from the Lord.
- Your interest in God and the things of God begins to wane or decrease. No longer are you excited to talk about the spiritual things of God such as the working of the Spirit in your life or the Bible.
- You start losing interest in your prayer life. Where you once may have prayed every day now you find yourself going days or even weeks without seeking God.
- You no longer have a desire to join with other believers in fellowship and worship. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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." It is important to be with other believers.
- You stop giving faithfully, either to the church you attend or to other charitable organizations or to people who God puts on your heart to give to. Becoming a "stingy" person with money is a definite sign of drifting away from God.
- You no longer have a desire to share your faith with others and are insensitive to their need for salvation.
- You no longer feel close to God. We don't live by feelings, but if we are near to God, we will know it.
What Causes Us To Drift
There are many reasons a person may drift away from God, but I just want to list four.
- The influence of others. As you are around people and get close to people who aren't men and women of faith, you can't help but be influenced by them. This doesn't mean we ignore non-believers, but we must be aware that they can have a negative influence on us in regards to our faith.
- The lure of the world's ways. The world is a very alluring place. Everything that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life will all draw us away from God if we aren't careful.
- Doubting that God really cares. Everyone has had times of doubt in their lives. But when you continue to think on whether or not God cares or even exists you put yourself in greater danger of drifting away from God.
- Giving in to temptation. No one sets out to be an alcoholic, or to have an affair, but they make small choices along the way that let them slide into sin which draws them away from God.
Six Consequences Of Drifting Away From God
- Your conscience becomes dull.
- You step out of the will of God.
- You lose your ability to hear God.
- You fall into the sin of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:12)
- You have no peace.
- You miss God's best for your life
- You have a negative impact on others. God wants you to be salt and light.
How You Can Prevent Drifting
- Anchor yourself in the Word of God by reading and meditating on it daily. (Psalm 119:15-16)
- Be obedient to what God says in His Word.
- Submit to Him when He shows you an area that need correction. (James 4:7-8)
- Stay on guard. (1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Peter 3:17-18)
- Surrender your life to Him each day.
If you have found yourself drifting away from God just confess and repent. God is ready for you to come right back. Then trust the Holy Spirit to enable you to continue to follow Christ daily because without God we can't spiritually survive this world.
Have you drifted away from God? God is always ready for you to once again draw close to Him!
-- Pastor Temple
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