Prone to Wander

 The moment we think we’ve mastered the Christian walk, we’ve lost our footing. Each of us carries the propensity to turn from God–even after he's purchased us with the blood of Jesus. All we need is a quick look at Saul’s pride, Peter’s denial, and that period of time I refused to deal with my anger and it turned to bitterness–despite God’s warnings. 

Our humanity makes us prone to wander. 

We wrestle with this truth because we want to believe that salvation erases our humanity. But salvation doesn't remove my humanity–it redeems me from the sin within it.

This reconciliation creates tension between my identity in Christ and my human nature. As a Christian, when my actions do not align with the Spirit of God, they have greater consequences. The consequences may not jeopardize my salvation, but they do impact my spiritual peace, relationships, mental health, and my ability to spread the gospel of good news. 

Complacency Sneaks In

Christians revert to previous fleshly habits like teeth revert to previous crooked places. Braces slowly correct teeth through painful, corrective measures, but without a retainer, the teeth shift back. The retainer is the guide to keep them straight.

Likewise, without ongoing connection and correction with God, I quickly slide back to my previous crooked places. Even years into my journey with Jesus, I can begin to drift if I become complacent. 

A Quick Self-Check

Look for areas where complacency has weaseled its way in by considering the following questions: 

• Has your prayer time slowly decreased? 

• Has your worship become mechanical? 

• Are you taking time to meditate with God? 

• Are you ignoring connection, correction or both? 

  
  

Complacency is a quiet slide toward crooked places. Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship, meditation, confession, silence and solitude (among many others) are designed to keep us from this drift. They aren’t sufficient to gain salvation–only faith in Jesus can do that. Instead, the disciplines are provided as ways to stay connected to God after salvation. 

The Solution

Pick one area that needs some attention and redirect your focus on God through a spiritual discipline that help you correct this. 

• Increase prayer where you’ve been avoiding it. 

• Practice confession where there is sin. 

• Focus on God in worship if you’ve been distracted. 

• Talk to God if you’ve been avoiding him. 

• Practice silence and solitude if you’ve been in too much community–or engage in community if you’ve been too isolated. 

Remember, spiritual disciplines are never the goal–they are channels designed to connect us to Jesus. Also, God doesn’t expect us to correct everything at once. He knows our growth is a process that takes time.

Today, consider one way you can connect with God–one practice that moves you away from complacency and toward His purpose.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-24 NIV

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.