Love to hear from and know who is listening
The Grand Canyon is the ultimate definition of the power of erosion. By definition erosion is the gradual destruction or reduction of something. The Grand Canyon is a one mile deep gorge. The Colorado river has over thousands of years slowly carved through many layers of rock. The external forces of the moving waters of the river and wind has over time has continually moved against the canyon and has worn it down. The erosion of the Grand Canyon happened so slowly that if you stood and observed the canyon you wouldn't see that anything happening at all. Erosion can happen in our spiritual life as well. Just like physical erosion, spiritual erosion is often slow, silent, and subtle. Like physical erosion, spiritual erosion is often imperceptibly, Spiritual erosion is a gradual but devastating process of moral and spiritual decline.
Some people believe the devil, in his effort to take away convictions and Christian living, will come and say, “I am the devil and I’ve come to kill you spiritually.” No, he comes as a thief in the night, or a wolf in sheep’s clothing or as the father of lies. The devil does his evil work when he can find his target asleep or unaware that eroding things are slowly taking away and changing our lives through spiritual compromise.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 NIV For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Matthew 7:15 NIV Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
So what are the symptoms of spiritual erosion? One major symptom is, we start to compromise and rationalize our wrong choices and sins. Another signal of spiritual erosion is our diminishing desire to do spiritual things such as attend bible study, Sunday school and church. Over time we spend less time with our Christian brothers and sisters. So it is with compromise in our spiritual life. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, one compromise leads to another. Every time we compromise we allow the slow-moving tentacles of evil to wrap themselves around us. It happens so silently, so subtly, we hardly realize it’s taking place. The slope of spiritual erosion is so gradual it is hard to see but over time becomes slippery, and each subsequent act of disobedience is easier to rationalize.
Spiritual erosion usually occurs slowly but it can be accelerated. Chuck Swindoll tells the story of a tree in his neighborhood that had stood as a landmark for many years. He thought that the tree would be there forever, but one day without notice, the tree fell. Upon closer examination, it was discovered that inside the tree it was pithy and diseased. It rotted from within. It never looked diseased on the outside but once it fell, it was obvious to all that it was sick. The process of erosion had taken its toll and was now on display for all to see.
We need to examine ourselves. Have you changed your attitude about sin? Is it easier to overlook or excuse your sins? Have you developed a compromising spirit?
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
