If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you’re probably already aware that your spiritual life comes with certain ebbs and flows. While we know that God’s feeling toward us never change and that His end of our relationship is the most stable force in our lives. However, there are signs that can let you know that you’re starting to drift away spiritually. When you know what signs to look for, you can take the action necessary to rectify the situation.
Over the course of his life, Charles Moody, who is a historically renowned pastor, also wrote hundreds of hymns. Many of those songs of praise that Moody wrote are so legendary that they are still part of the worship services that millions of believers around the globe attend today. One of his most popular hymns is titled “You’re Drifting Too Far From The Shore.” Written in 1923, some of the lyrics that Moody included say the following:
“Drifting too far from the shore
You’re drifting too far from the peaceful shore
Come to Jesus today, let him show you the way
You’re drifting too far from the shore”
Isn’t it remarkable that nearly 100 years ago, a pastor recognized the fact that the deterioration of our relationship with Christ wasn’t a sudden process? The principle has never changed. In fact, decades after Moody wrote his song, the popular Contemporary Christian Music band, Casting Crowns” wrote a song that taught the same principle called “Slow Fade.” Lead singer Mark Hall, who is credited as the primary writer of the song penned the following chorus in 2007:
” It’s a slow fade
When you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade
When black and white have turned to grey
And thoughts invade, choices made
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade
It’s a slow fade”
While songs have been penned about the phrase for a hundred or more years, the concept of our spiritual lives slowly slipping is actually a Biblical concept. Thousands of years before Charles Moody or Mark Hall wrote a song about slowly drifting away from Christ, King Solomon wrote the following verse of Scripture:
Song of Solomon 2:15 (ESV)
Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.
Thousands of years ago, the wisest man who ever lived according to Scripture wrote that it’s the small foxes that ruin the vine. Obviously, Solomon was speaking metaphorically, but the point he was making was that the process of backsliding isn’t a quick one.
Fortunately, there are signs that you can look for in your own life that let you know that there could be a problem. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s not shameful or sinful. Instead, these signs serve as a warning that you may be facing your own “slow fade,” that you’re “drifting too far from the shore,” or that you have some “small foxes” in your vineyard.
You Don’t Read Your Bible Anymore
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
It’s easy to allow yourself to take Scripture for granted, primarily because we have so much access to it. In addition to having apps on your phone, many people have multiple copies of the Bible around their home. However, it’s important that you don’t reach a point where you view the Bible as just another book that you read.
While we don’t know who the author of Hebrews was, we can rest assured that he or she understood the importance of Scripture. According to the author, the Bible is alive and active. It’s important to note that the author who wrote these words was talking about the parts of the Old Testament that the New Testament Church had access to.
What does that mean for us? It means that if the believers in the New Testament understood that Scriptures that were written hundreds or thousands of years ago was alive and active, we should know the same thing. Scripture serves as our lifeline to God, as it is His written plan for our lives. If you notice that you no longer have a desire to spend time reading God’s Word and spending time in daily devotionals, it’s a good sign that you’re starting to slip spiritually.
You Don’t Attend Church Regularly
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
A few chapters after discussing the importance of Scripture, the same unnamed author of Hebrews discussed the importance of church attendance. According to the unnamed author, being connected to other believers within the church ensures that you are in a position to stir up other believers (another term for encouraging one another) to love and good works, while receiving the same brand of encouragement.
Humans were not created to live an isolated existence. At the dawn of creation, God labeled everything that He had made as “good,” until He saw that Adam was alone in the garden. In Genesis 2:18, God said it was not good for the man to be alone, which is why He created Eve. God understood the importance of connection and community, even at the very beginning of the world.
How regularly do you attend church? Even more importantly than going and sitting in a building for worship and to hear the Word of God, how connected are you to other believers? If you take an honest assessment of how connected you are to others and notice that it is lacking, it’s a surefire sign that you’re starting to slip. Being a believer isn’t about how many church services you attend, however, you were not created to navigate your way through this Christian journey on your own.
You Don’t Love Others
John 13:34-35 (ESV)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Jesus spoke these words to the disciples who were the closest to Him. They spent a lot of time together, but Christ wanted to ensure that they were truly loving one another the right way. Since Christ’s love for them was the epitome of real love, He told them that they were to love one another the same way.
Do you love the people around you? While we just discussed the importance of attending church and connecting with other believers, it’s even more important that you are truly loving others. Doing so serves two purposes. First of all, it’s the fulfillment of a commandment. Christ didn’t make loving others optional. In addition to fulfilling one of God’s commandments for us, it also signifies to others that you are a disciple of Christ.
If your relationships with others aren’t filled with love, it’s a sign that you’re starting to drift. When you are led by the Spirit of God and operating according to His Word, you love the people around you. If your relationships are lacking love, you’re not walking as close to Christ as He would like you to.
A Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for allowing me to recognize areas in my life that signify that I am starting to drift away. I know the process of slipping further from You is a slow one, and I want to recognize those signs quickly. Please, have the Holy Spirit lead and guide me, providing the correction that I need when those things begin to crop up in my life. I ask these things in the holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen.