Warning Signs of Drifting Away

The following is a list taken from a message by Alistair Begg (Truth for Life) called “The Danger of Drifting Part A & B” (aired January 10, 2013).

In the message Alistair references “Pilgrim’s Progress” and goes over the list that John Bunyan compiled regarding “a life that is waning in its commitment [to Christ] and growing cold in its interest.” I found it very insightful and thought I’d share.

In a life that is waning in its commitment there will be:

1. A forgetfulness of God and the fact that we will one day meet Him.
2. A gradual loss of private holiness, private prayer, the curbing of our lusts, and sorrow for our sins.
3. We will begin to avoid the company of “lively” Christians. We won’t be concerned about being around “half-dead” Christians. If we don’t mind it in ourselves then the company in the graveyard will be soothing to us.
4. A disinterest in public worship. (see Matt. 15 )
5. There will be a picking of faults in others.
6. Association with the godless (see Psalm 1) and our interest will increase in what the godless have to say about certain things. We can’t stand it when we are around “lively” Christians and we may even seek out old associations. We may try to deceive ourselves into thinking we will only be going in order to evangelize them but its a lie.
7. We will indulge in fleshly lusts in secret. (See Ephesians 5:12)
8. We will begin to play with sin openly. (See Jeremiah 8:12)
9. Being hardened, we will reveal to all the worry condition of our lives. (See 1 Timothy 4:2)

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