I recently came across a sermon outline by Joe Price which stated four danger signs to recognize regarding a failure of faith. There are two basic components to fighting our adversary the devil. Our diligence as we seek to grow and mature as God’s children, and the protection and strength He supplies to us. Paul wrote of God’s protection in Ephesians 6, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (10-13). He has given us the armor we need to be fully protected against the devil and his wiles if we but implement it in our lives.
This leads to the second component, which is the variable in the determination of our spiritual welfare – our own faith as we respond to God’s will. There are so many passages which counsel us to grow and mature. An example is found in 2 Peter 1, where we are encouraged to add to our faith a number of elements: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. Consider Peter’s warning should we fail in this task. “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (1:9).
So if we falter, we can’t blame God. He is always there. He is the constant in our battle against evil. When people fail, and they sometimes do, we are at fault, not God. James wrote, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” (1:13-14).
So let’s discuss some danger signs of falling away from God.
1) Isolation: Any man or woman who has the idea that they do not need (or perhaps they do not want) help in pleasing God is absolutely wrong! Consider what God’s word says, “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment” (Proverbs 18:1). It is interesting to note that the Holy Spirit attributes such isolation to selfishness. In effect, he desires to be independent in his search for God, rather than to utilize the help that the Almighty offers. God has designed the local congregation to supply strength, encouragement, comfort, guidance and protection to each of us. The church supplies us with the edification of other members, the strengthening that comes from our worship together, the opportunity to learn from one another through hearing the gospel proclaimed, and the protection of needed admonition should be waver. The Israelites (when tired and weary) were vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy king Amalek, “he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God” (Deuteronomy 25:18). The devil is no different. He attacks us when we are vulnerable. And we are never more vulnerable than when isolated from our brethren.
2) Worldly Counselors: The counselors we turn to says a good deal about us – who we are, what we value and where we are going. The obvious example which illustrates this is the mistake King Rehoboam made when he gave heed to his foolish peers who counseled the opposite of the advice given to him by “the elders.” (1 Kings 12). In the end the advice he took was at odds with what God wanted, and he lost a good portion of his kingdom. We can be guilty of the same. Good 3) counsel is found among mature Christians, not the worldly. That does not mean that Christians are perfect. But it does mean they are seeking to apply God’s wisdom rather than that of men. Consider what the Psalmist wrote about God’s will, “Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors” (119:24).
3) Unfortunate Friends: Companions will affect our character as God’s children. “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Take a moment and consider your friendships. Are your friends superficial and worldly? Are they self-serving? Do the seek to entice you to sin? Or are they genuine and godly? Do you share a common faith and the common goal to obtain heaven? Do you become better and stronger as a Christian as a result of their example and friendship? “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17). Each of us should review our friendships and resolve to be careful to choose to associate with those who will help us please God and make it to heaven!
4) A Failure to Pray: Jesus taught that “men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Prayer suggests a healthy relationship with the Lord. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). If a child of God seldom or never prays to God it indicates that he is not depending upon God, or that he is not thankful to God, or that he does not trust God. In this case, others may not be aware of a lack of prayer, and so self-examination is very important. To avoid the evident atrophy that comes from an insufficient prayer life, we must resolve to prioritize our time in prayer to God.
It is up to us to see the danger signs, or we can lose our soul! Losing our soul is losing everything! (Matthew 16:26).
