Sometimes it’s solely your own fault

We have a generation of professing believers who are blaming the devil for things that their own flesh is responsible for. The spiritual dry spell, the powerless in prayer. the inability to resist temptation is not always an attack from the enemy. Sometimes it’s simply spiritual sabotage and the culprit is staring right back at you in the mirror.

Here are 5 ways Christians sabotage their own spiritual growth.

1.      Neglect the word of God 

Matthews 4:4 (NIV)

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

You can’t grow if you are starving yourself spiritually, but yet many Christians spend hours on entertainment but can’t give 15 minutes to the Word of God. We’re spiritual malnourished because we’re feasting on social media and starving in the word of God. The Bible isn’t a decorative piece it’s a lifeline. God has not promised to bless your opinions, your feelings, or your affirmations, He blesses His word if you want to grow you have to go back to The Word of God.

2.     Prayerlessness

James 4:2 (NIV)

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

We have churches filled with people who know how to shouts but don’t know how to kneel. Prayerlessness  is practical atheism it’s living like God doesn’t exists or doesn’t matter you can’t have intimacy with a God you never talk to, people say I am waiting to hear from God, but God is waiting to hear from you. It is not a ritual, it’s a relationship, and relationship don’t grow without communication.

3.     Tolerating sin instead of killing it. 

Romans 8:13 (NIV)

 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

We’ve stopped calling sin SIN and we wonder why there’s no power in our lives. We rename lust as struggles, pride as confidence and bitterness as boundaries. But you can’t sanctify what God has already called you to crucify. Sanctification is not about managing sin, it’s about crushing it if you’re not fighting your flesh, you’re feeding it and what you feed will grow.

4.     Chasing emotions over truth

John 17:17 (NIV) 

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

We are not called to be led by feeling but by faith, too many Christians are spiritual adrenaline junkies addicted to goose bumps and good vibes they chase conferences, camps, and catchy sermons, but never anchor themselves in doctrine. The truth is not always emotionally satisfying but it’s always spiritually sanctify. If your faith depends on feelings your walk will collapse when storms come. But if it’s grounded in truth you’ll still stand when the music stops.

5.     Forsaking the Fellowship of the church

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

God didn’t save you into isolation He saved you into a body. A finger can’t function cut off from the hand, and a Christian can flourish cut off from church. You can’t grow spiritually if you only attend church when it’s convenient, some say I don’t need church I have Jesus. But the church is the body of Christ to reject his body is to this dishonor his headship. You need the church for correction, for encouragement, for accountability and for growth.

Stop blaming the devil for ditches you dug with your own shovel. The power to grow has already been given through the Holy Spirit and the word of God. But spiritual growth demands spiritual discipline so if you’re wondering why you’re walking with God feels dry dissident or defeated check your diet your devotion and your discipline don’t just shout amen start digging in the word don’t just wait for revival get on your knees and pray don’t just crave the mountaintop carrier cross daily.

God Bless, Israel