Drifting, Hardness, Sluggisness

At Kendallwood this past Sunday I taught on 3 things that keep us from growing in the Lord.

1. Was drifting away from the faith. Hebrews 2:1-4. Drifting could be just not paying attention to what we are doing. It could be not being sharpened in our faith and staying close to God in prayer and Bible reading.

Some ways to get out of drifting is to meditate on the Bible and know there are large benefits in following God.

2. The Second area that befalls people is hardness of heart. Hebrews 3:5-4:3 Hardness of heart is no believing the teaching of the Bible. It is deciding against believing the Bible. The end result of hardness of heart is a lack of rest within.

3. Sluggishness Hebrews 5:11-14 is the third thing that keeps a Christian from reaching his potential in the Lord.

And this verse came to mind today that goes along with what I am saying above.

Romans 1:21 “ For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. “

This verse refers to areas that people fall into that keep them from following the Lord fully.

1. Did not honor God. To give God the credit for our success. To Look to God in all we do. And to seek God daily for the answers and direction from Him.
2. Did not give thanks. It is important to have an attitude of thanks for all we have and do. This is not just for the things we have. We are to give thanks in all things in life both good and bad. Why? God is the one we serve and living by faith in Him means we are looking to Him to help us out of our problems. We give thanks in our problems because we trust God to help us in our problems.
3. Became futile in their speculations. We should keep our mind on Christ and not speculate on what will happen in life apart from what the Bible says. Trust in the Lord and His Word. God will answer prayer and deliver us as we look to Him. Don't put your mind on the things that could go wrong. Put your mind on the promises of God in the Bible.
4. Their foolish heart was darkened. As we turn away from God our heart becomes dark and does not receive from God anymore. This can change with repentance. All of us need repentance. And all of us should do it from time to time when there is something on our heart that is troubling us from what we have done.

So let us press on to know the Lord, for His light will come to illuminate us as we continue to seek Him.