Guarding Against Spiritual Amnesia

Introduction

Spiritual Amnesia Defined:

When our minds become focused on the immediate things around us, and we lose sight of our spiritual walk, and we easily forget our purpose and calling.

Galatians 3:1–3 ESV

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Causes of Spiritual Amnesia and How to Guard Against Them

1. Caught up in the Distractions in Life

There will always be distractions

What you do with those distractions will determine how that effect your spiritual walk.

Our minds become focused on the immediate things around us (shiny objects), and we lose sight of our spiritual walk, we can easily forget our purpose and calling.

Luke 8:14 (ESV)

And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

Interests, work, hobbies, worries, politics, ideologies

Issue - flavor of the month

Don’t allow these things to determine your walk

Proverbs 4:23 NIV

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

2. Lack of Prayer

For any relationship to work, you have to deliberately, and diligently maintain a line of communication.

Philippians 4:5–6 NET

Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 ESV

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Examine yourself when you prayer

Do you pray the God’s will be done and not your own

In Are you in the Faith

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

That’s the old man - YOU DON’T PRAY ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF THE OLD MAN!

2. Spiritual Apathy

Spiritual apathy is a state of being indifferent or complacent towards one's relationship with God and the things of the Spirit.

It is characterized by a lack of zeal or passion for spiritual matters, a disinterest in prayer, worship or Bible study, and a general sense of spiritual numbness or emptiness.

Those who are spiritually apathetic may feel disconnected from God and struggle with doubts about their faith, leading to a lack of motivation to pursue spiritual growth and maturity.

That’s why it is important for Christians to identify spiritual apathy and take steps to rekindle their passion for God and His Word, through prayer, fellowship, and study of Scriptures.

2 Timothy 4:9–10 ESV

Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Hebrews 2:1 ESV

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.