THE DANGER OF DRIFTING SPIRITUALLY – The Church Of Christ, 15 Grey Street, Warri

By Bro. Sunday Eyanrin (Evangelist)
E‐mail‐ eyanrin@yahoo.com

Introduction

DRIFTING – Can be defined as an unconscious process of gradually moving away from the way of God.

DRIFTING ‐ away from God is something that happens slowly, it is an unconscious process, often unrecognized until the action is completed. Then you no longer have the desire to have fellowship or be part of your brethren, God’s own people. Instead, such brethren, embrace the things of this world.
Coming back to the Lord, is by Grace. Hence the Hebrew writer warns, in Heb. 2:1‐4.

Warning
Heb. 2:1‐4
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? NKJV

LET US CONSIDER SOME COMMON SIGNS OF DRIFTING

1. Less desire to study and meditate on the Word of GOD:

The Bible is the only source revealed by God for Christians to study, to know the Truth. And to rightly divide the Word of Truth, hence, Jesus, said in matt.28:20, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
2 Tim. 2:15 – 15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV
2 Tim. 2:1‐2 – Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. KJV

2. Less Desire To Worship And Attend Weekly Activities:

Immediately drifting takes place, the zeal to Worship God is no longer there, because the weakness of the flesh has taken over the temple. Apostle Paul declared in Gal. 5:4 – You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. NKJV

3. No More Zeal To Preach The Gospel

It has become obvious that when a Christian began to neglect Preaching the Gospel , it will gradually lead to drifting . In Matt. 28:18‐20, & Mk.16.15‐16, the Lord has given the command for every Christian to GO ‐ and fulfil this obligation to save the lost. Be warned Brethren, Drifting is without notice. It is dangerous. In Rom. 1.16‐17 Apostle Paul declared. Rom 1:16‐17 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” NKJV.
Apostle John Warns in 1 John 2:15 – 17.
1 John 2:15‐17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 2 Tim. 3:4‐5 – Traitors, heady, high‐minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. KJV

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DRIFTING?

1. THE LOVE OF MONEY:

One of known factors that causes a Christian to drift is the love we attach to the pursuit of making money. In 1 Tim.6:10, the Scriptures Warned.
1 Tim 6:10 – For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. NKJV

2. LACK OF READING THE BIBLE:

Neglecting Bible reading is another factor that causes drifting. Reading the Bible constantly is one essential factor that helps to nourish our Souls. Without feeding our Souls with God’s Word will, eventually lead to lack of growth and lukewarmness.

In Rev. 1:3, the scriptures declared.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. NKJV
Apostle Paul‐ by the inspiration of God declared in 2 Tim. 2:15.

3. LACK OF PRAYER:

The importance of Prayer in the life of every Christian cannot be over emphasised. Prayer is the key to every Christian. Prayer is the only way of communication with God, through Christ. Prayer therefore is the power house of every Christian. In John 15:16, Jesus declared.
John 15:16‐17 – 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another. NKJV
In 1 Thess. 5:17, we are admonished to‐ pray without ceasing, NKJV

4. GIVING MORE ATTENTION TO WORLDLY PLEASURES

When a Christian began to have more pleasures in the things of the world, than the things of God, then something is wrong. That Brother or Sister, is Spiritually Drifting.
1 John 2:15‐17 – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. NKJV

5. PRIDE:

When Pride set in to the life of a Christian, then, you must notice a change in the life of such a Christian. A negative, and dangerous change of life. What those the Scriptures says about this thing call Pride in Prov.16.18 – 20.
Prov. 16:18‐20 – 18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. NKJV
Prov. 29:23 – A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honour. NKJV

LET US CONSIDER SOME REMEDIES AGAINST DRIFTING

1. REPENTANCE AND A NEW LIFE WITH GOD

Rev. 2:5 – Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place — unless you repent. NKJV

2. STEADFASTNESS IN THE NEW LIFE WITH GOD

A new life with God, must be a life of diligence and hard work, guarding against all form of carnality. The Scriptures declare in – 1 Cor. 15:58.
1 Cor. 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. NKJV

3. PRAY ALWAYS

A new life with God requires prayers to sustain our re ‐union with God. Praying without ceasing ‐ 1 Thess. 5:17

4. GREATER LOVE FOR GOD

What is required? Matt. 22:37‐40 – Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” NKJV

Conclusion

Beloved in Christ, we must have all realize that there is a great danger in drifting. We all must avoid any act that will led us to drifting. Jesus declared in Matt. 16:26. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? NKJV

Phil. 4:8‐9 – 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. NKJV
May God bless His word in Jesus Name – Amen.