Different Seasons
When we face times of trial or temptation or fear, it makes sense to fight the fight of faith. At those seasons we know we need to pray earnestly and use the Word to battle.
But what about those seasons when our lives are spiritually calm — with no major worries, dangerous temptations, or faith-shaking trials?
At those times it’s tempting to coast spiritually — take our foot off the gas — chill a little.
I’m not talking about resting. There’s times we need to stop work and get refreshed, and we can do that in and with the Lord.
I’m talking about shifting into neutral spiritually – letting our minds float wherever — taking a break from abiding in Christ and seeking God’s glory.
What’s wrong with that?
A Lesson From Mountain-Biking
While on vacation I had some incredible mountain bike rides. And these rides taught me a crucial lesson.
It’s hard riding up a mountain trail because there’s obstacles to get over — rocks and boulders and tree roots. And the rides I took during vacation had lots of these obstacles.
But this taught me something. I saw that it’s much easier to go up a tough incline when you’ve got some speed. With speed, your momentum can take you right over rocks and roots.
But some parts of the trail have no obstacles. So it’s tempting to slow down and take in the views.
But before long, you again face obstacles. And because you have slowed down, the rocks and roots are more of a struggle. They take more effort to pedal over, and your lack of speed makes it harder to balance. So, because you have slowed down, the obstacles can stop your forward progress, and even make you fall.
Living By Faith
The same is true with living by faith in Jesus Christ.
The trail to heaven is full of obstacles — temptations, problems, disappointments, fears.
So it’s important to get up some speed. We can do that by –
Meditating on God’s Word
Seeking the Lord in prayer
Intentionally living for Jesus’ glory
Consciously relying on God’s promises
Focusing on the reward of joy in Christ
Asking the Lord to help us love those we meet
Actively confessing sin and being assured of forgiveness
Anticipating Satan’s flaming darts
Lifting every problem to the Lord in prayer
Seeking to see God’s loving sovereignty in all that comes our way
Each of these steps will increase our speed. And if we’ve got some speed, it will be easier to get over the obstacles we face.
But sometimes we face no obstacles. There’s no trials, fears, problems. And then it’s tempting to slow down spiritually, and take a break from the Word and prayer and seeking God.
But if we slow down, the next obstacle will be harder to get over. It could stop our forward progress. It could even make us fall.
Is This In The Bible?
I hope you are asking that question. Illustrations can be helpful. But what we need most of all is God’s Word.
So look at what Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:22 –
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
Notice that word “pursue.” The Greek word includes the idea of running after, striving for, seeking after.
So we don’t just fight the fight of faith when attacked by temptation or worry. Even when there are NO worries or temptations, we should pursue, run after, strive for, and seek righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Why?
Because it’s preventative medicine.
Because we’ll gain ground against Satan and our indwelling sin.
Because we’ll have momentum to help us ride over obstacles when they come.
Because obstacles will not be as likely to make us stop or fall.
The Danger of Spiritual Coasting
One of the most tragic stories in the Bible is King David committing adultery with Bathsheba.
So what was David doing before this tragedy? Was he running spiritually, or was he coasting?
In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle … David remained at Jerusalem. It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. 2 Samuel 11:1-2
In the springtime kings went out to battle. But not David. David remained at Jerusalem — on his couch in the afternoon.
Spiritual coasting is dangerous.
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And here are some related posts you might find helpful –
Should I Wait For God To Change Me?
A Spiritual EKG For Your Heart
How To Fight The Fight Of Faith
If Faith Can Change Me — Why Isn’t It Working?
(Picture is from everystockphoto by JeffWilcox.)