Drifting With The Tide Becoming Spiritually Complacent

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. Hebrews 2:1 (NKJV)

I remember growing up down by the beach when I was young.  I always loved going to the water and I always enjoyed paddling out in the waves.  It didn't matter if it was a surfboard, boogie board, or just body surfing; if I could get in the water I was happy.  I always had a favorite spot too - the waves were good there and they had good shape to them.  That's the thing about riding waves; they all have a certain way they flow.  It depends on a lot of things, but ultimately you look for a waves to either break from left to right, or right to left - you just don't want the wave closing out all at once.

Once you find a spot, you need to work on staying there.  If you're waiting for a set to come in, and you are just out there floating - you end up drifting with the tide.  As this happens, you will eventually be down the beach quite a ways.  Eventually, you need to paddle in and walk back up the beach and reenter the water a little past where you want to be and paddle back out.  If you don't pay attention, the whole process can start over and you can find yourself back where you don't want to be down the beach.  

It is kind of the same way when you are walking with God.  You know where you want to be, and you make a decision to stay there - but you become spiritually complacent.   You can stop paying attention to the dangers of the enemy and just sort of float along in your Christian walk, you will find yourself drifting back to those places where you don't want to be.

Satan loves it when we become complacent and we stop paddling towards God.  We can become busy and just stop doing those things we know to be right - things known to strengthen our walk.  Now, none of us would like to admit we are, or have become spiritually complacent at times, but truth be told, we have.  

Q:    What are some signs of our becoming spiritually complacent?

One of the first things is the neglect of our praying to God.  It's not good when we don't take the time to talk to our Heavenly Father about all the things we are attempting to decide.  Prayer is our way of connecting to God and receiving the power from the Holy Spirit.  Without prayer we are like a soldier without any bullets, or a perfectly fine automobile without gas - useless, and ineffective.  When we stop praying, we lose our impact on the unbelieving world, and we are of no help as our words lack any real power. 

A quick look at 2Chronicles 7:14 will enlighten us as to the power and effectiveness of fervent prayer.  Just look at the guarantee given by God for those who repent and call out to Him in sincere prayer. 

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

Q:    Could you imagine if every Christian in America would simply pray this way right now for their sins and for this country?

Another indicator of becoming spiritually complacent is when we stop reading our Bibles.  We crowd out our time to get into studying the scriptures and we fill this time with other "Important" stuff.   Somehow we have come to believe our efforts to solve our problems are better than God's.   Instead of seeking and abiding in the scriptures contained within the Bible, we choose to use our own tools and ways.  This is akin to putting out a 5-alarm fire with a toy squirt gun.  We must remember just how powerful God's Word is. 

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

 Hey Christian, I want to encourage you today to stay focused on where you are at all times in your walk because it doesn't take long to drift back in the tide of worldly ways - back to those areas we have walked away from.  Let's keep in the word, and continue to talk to God about everything lest we start drifting with the tide. 

STUDY QUESTION: What does Hebrews 2:1 tell us to do with those things we have heard in God's word?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you giving head to those things you have heard in your bible, or are you becoming complacent with the world you live in?

APPLICATION: Keep focused on Jesus and God's word.  Apply those things you are reading, and continue to speak to God about everything.  Do not be conformed to this world, but continue to allow God to transform you by the renewing of your mind.