At one point or another, we all come to the point in our lives where it feels that somehow we have reached a plateau where we have quit growing spiritually; for some, it even goes to the extent that it feels that God has left us. I know in my own life, beginning when I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, I have had to deal with numerous things (and some of them more than once) that have kept me from developing a richer and deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. As a Christian, the truest of our heart’s desire should be to become more Christ-like in our attitude and in the way we treat others. The more we desire to become more like Him, the more temptations will follow us, the more hardships we will endure – and overcoming each will serve to strengthen our faith.
I was originally going to publish this as a single devotional but after sketching it out, I realized there was enough for a few posts. I did not place them in any sort of order that may indicate importance nor is this meant to be a complete list of everything that can keep us from experiencing spiritual growth. These are simply some things that I or others close to me have had to deal with that has kept them from enjoying true spiritual growth.
We attempt to return to our old lifestyle:
No Christian is immune from the pull of our old lifestyle. At some point, every Christian has to battle the pull of their past. This is not necessarily because we find it more exciting than what Christ calls us to, but because we have a tendency to return to what we know and are comfortable with. As a Christian, a return to our old lifestyle will cause a division between ourselves and the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul wrote, But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage (Galatians 4:9). Even Solomon, considered the wisest of all the ancient kings, understood the problems with the believer who returns to their old lifestyle, The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself (Proverbs 14:14). Yes, a Christian with unrepented sin has a tendency to justify their sins, much like a lost person will do. Although still saved by the grace of God, our old lifestyle and the sins we are predisposed to will place us in a state of rebellion against God.
Being led by the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul wrote, Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him (Hebrews 10:38). The apostle Peter also warns the follower of Christ to avoid the temptations and traps of returning to our old lifestyle: For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire (II Peter 2:20-22). Oh, the wasted years of my life when I was young in the faith!
God makes a provision for us; If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). Just as told in the story of the prodigal son; if we come to God, our heavenly Father and repent of our sins, He will forgive us and restore us into his fellowship.
