_The first indication of spiritual dullness
is your inability to read, accept, believe, and obey the truths of Scripture.
The second thing that goes is our spiritual maturity. Every Christian must have his “senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” That’s how we grow in Christ. Yet, when we step into the path of sin and choose that sin over Him; when we then try to cover our tracks, we must experience spiritual dullness. Spiritual things are moved aside and replaced by carnal things. This is simply the law of harvest at work. None of us can ever expect to make personal progress in holiness if we let our temptations attack us and send us into a spiritual tailspin.
God must be displeased with any and every sin; not just the big ones like adultery and immorality. He’s just as displeased by our lack of love towards those He has placed around us, by our quick tempers and selfishness. The road to spiritual deterioration is chosen by our hearts when we know what is the right thing to do and don’t do it. James 4:17 says it this way. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
First, covering up your sin will produce spiritual dullness.
Second, covering up your sin will result in harsher discipline from the LORD. Now, it’s true that every child of God will experience the LORD’s disciple (child-training). Yet, when we give in to the temptations that are designed to grow us up, and then attempt to cover up our sins, we can be sure that our Heavenly Father will resort to a level of care that we didn’t know existed. And, as you know, it’s for your good.
The LORD is perfectly kind. He’s sovereign. And He makes no mistakes. He knows exactly how to bring us to repentance. He knows what it takes to bring us to choose Him, to choose His ways, and to choose to walk with Him and to stop opposing Him. He’s perfectly gracious.
Yet, when we do experience the harsher things of life, we don’t like it or want it. Look with me at II Samuel 12:13. II Samuel 12:13 “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. (14) Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. (15) And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. (16) David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. (17) And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. (18) And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? (19) But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. (20) Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. (21) Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. (22) And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? (23) But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
What will always astound you is God’s ways. And when He deals firmly and lovingly with you, you will not longer stand in judgment of others nor will you stand in judgment of God. Yes, it will always be difficult to understand God’s ways. But that’s because He’s God. Go on to page four
The second thing that goes is our spiritual maturity. Every Christian must have his “senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” That’s how we grow in Christ. Yet, when we step into the path of sin and choose that sin over Him; when we then try to cover our tracks, we must experience spiritual dullness. Spiritual things are moved aside and replaced by carnal things. This is simply the law of harvest at work. None of us can ever expect to make personal progress in holiness if we let our temptations attack us and send us into a spiritual tailspin.
God must be displeased with any and every sin; not just the big ones like adultery and immorality. He’s just as displeased by our lack of love towards those He has placed around us, by our quick tempers and selfishness. The road to spiritual deterioration is chosen by our hearts when we know what is the right thing to do and don’t do it. James 4:17 says it this way. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
First, covering up your sin will produce spiritual dullness.
Second, covering up your sin will result in harsher discipline from the LORD. Now, it’s true that every child of God will experience the LORD’s disciple (child-training). Yet, when we give in to the temptations that are designed to grow us up, and then attempt to cover up our sins, we can be sure that our Heavenly Father will resort to a level of care that we didn’t know existed. And, as you know, it’s for your good.
The LORD is perfectly kind. He’s sovereign. And He makes no mistakes. He knows exactly how to bring us to repentance. He knows what it takes to bring us to choose Him, to choose His ways, and to choose to walk with Him and to stop opposing Him. He’s perfectly gracious.
Yet, when we do experience the harsher things of life, we don’t like it or want it. Look with me at II Samuel 12:13. II Samuel 12:13 “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. (14) Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. (15) And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. (16) David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. (17) And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. (18) And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? (19) But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. (20) Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. (21) Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. (22) And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? (23) But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
What will always astound you is God’s ways. And when He deals firmly and lovingly with you, you will not longer stand in judgment of others nor will you stand in judgment of God. Yes, it will always be difficult to understand God’s ways. But that’s because He’s God. Go on to page four