Drifting
Proverbs 27:8
“As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.”
1Cor. 9:27
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
Proverbs 14:12-16
(12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
(13) Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
(14) The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
(15) The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
(16) A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
I. Reasons for drifting
A. The current to slow to notice.
*I’m not out committing adultery.
Mat 5:27-28
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
*I’m not out getting drunk.
Rom 1:32
“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
It doesn’t just happen overnight, its slow moving.
Starts by not reading your bible…
Not praying as much…
Missing church cause the game is on.
People don’t just wake up one day hooked on pornography it starts by looking at some Jezebel in an under wear ad, then renting a wrong movie then before you know it your on your way out.
Lot in Genesis 13
First he looked toward Sodom Vs.10
Second he pitched his tent toward Sodom Vs. 12
Third about twenty years later he’s offering his virgin daughters to a bunch of sodomites. 19:5-8 (called them brother)
Forth Lot got drunk and got both of his daughters pregnant
What do you think if someone tried to warn him back in 13:10 ?
Be careful because it is a slow moving process.
B. More interested in pleasure than direction.
Luke 8:14
“…and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life...”
2Timothy 3:4
“…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;”
Titus 3:3
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures…”
Heb 11:25
“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”
C. There was a power shortage, motor wouldn’t start.
When you begin to drift the power of God in your life will leave you and you may not even know it.
Judges 16:20
“And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he knew not that the LORD was departed from him.”
“if you’re more sensitive to the wind you won’t drift”
John 3 relates the Holy Ghost to the wind…You stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit and be obedient to it and you’ll be less likely to drift.
1Sa 3:4-5
“That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.”
II. Results of drifting
A. You’ll become delirious.
You won’t see, hear, walk, talk, act right anymore.
**Delirious means lightheaded, disordered in intellect, having ideas that are wild, irregular, or unconnected and not corresponding with the truth.
You won’t function right, things that used to be wrong are now just a preference.
Pastor will preach how something is wrong according to the Bible and you’ll say something like, “I don’t see anything wrong with that” or “that’s not so bad.”
Heb 2:1
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”
Your delirious, you can’t be right with God and hold hands with the world.
B. You’ll become dehydrated
No fluids, dry eyes, no more tears, burdens for lost friends and family are gone
Surrounded by water yet dying of thirst...Why? wrong water
Eph 5:26
“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”
His word is the water that purifies us!
* You have to have the right kind of water.
You’ll dry up and die with the RSV, ASV, NIV, Living Bible, you need a good old fashioned King James Bible that’ll keep you clean.
C. You’ll come back destitute of everything…if you make it back.
Don’t think you can just get out and come back in where you left.
The prodigal son of Luke 15 made it home but lost everything.
Just ask Naomi in Ruth 1
Ruth 1:21
“I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?”
Drifters will end up diseased, sick, pregnant, in severe debt, poor and needy.
III. There is a remedy not to drift
A. Never be controlled by the current.
Remember water naturally runs down.
1John 3:7
“Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.”
B. Don’t fellowship with those controlled by the current.
1John 4:5
“They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.”
1Co 15:33-34
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”
Keep yourself form those who only desire to feed you fleshy things…
birds of a feather flock together.
C. Keep the lighthouse in view at all times.
Psa 119:104-105
“Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
John 3:19-21
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
Keep your eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ!
(Conn., work, cross, father)
D. Keep extra fuel on board.
Psa 119:11
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Deut. 6:5-9
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”
Store up more than you need
*Crying
*Shouting
*Pray for extra power in case a storms on the horizon
E. Never think your above drifting.
1Cor. 10:12
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
F. Don’t judge yourself by looking and comparing to others.
Matt. 7:3
“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”
G. Never get angry a Coast Guard for warning you about drifting.
Heb 13:17
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls...”
Three things you’ll need never to drift.
1) The Saviour-----anchor
2) The Spirit-------power
3) The Scripture---compass
