SITL 2: Press Close or Slide Away

Have you ever known anyone who gradually slid away from the Lord, then later you hear that they've become heavily involved in sin?  Maybe you thought that the sin was a result of their backslidden condition.  It is true that a backslidden condition will weaken us spiritually, just as starving weakens us physically.  Then in our weakened condition, we're more prone to sin, like a starving person is more prone to disease.

However, a good friend of mine recently showed me that the reverse is also true.  She became heavily involved in sin before she became backslidden.  Sort of.  She gave herself over to sin while remaining very "active" in church - sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, attended every preaching and prayer service.  Kept up the charade for at least a year.  She wasn't backslidden according to her activity level, but looking back, I can see a change in the quality of her activity.  Her humor gradually became sarcasm; reverence gave way to scorn; holiness gave way to sensuality; passion gave way to apathy.  Her heart eventually worked its way out into her actions and words.

How could this happen to someone who attends every service?  To someone who teaches a Bible lesson every week?  To someone who is surrounded by believers?

I don't know exactly how it happened to her, but I can understand one thing at least.  I understand that we can't gauge spiritual condition by activity levels.  Spiritual condition is a matter of the heart.  Sin begins in the heart and eventually works its way out to actions and words.  The battleground is in the heart.  That's why the Bible warns us to 

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

How do we keep (guard) the battleground of our hearts?  We press closer to Christ - and not with activity levels, but with our hearts, in a relationship.  And we trust His strong arm to defend us.

Pressing more closely to Him who is leading,
When we are tempted to turn from the way;
Trusting the arm that is strong to defend us,
Happy, how happy, our praises each day.

My good friend once had a beautiful life when she walked with Christ, but it's slipping away piece by piece.  Oddly enough, it seems to grieve her loved ones more than it grieves her.  Big lesson - in times of temptation, resist the instinct to pull away from Christ.  Press more closely to Him with your heart.

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Stepping in the light, stepping in the light.
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Led in paths of light.