Monday, August 16.

“THE DANGER OF SPIRITUAL EROSION”

Thursday, August 12.

When the Israelites demanded a royal leader just like all the other nations, God gave them King Saul. He was exactly what the nation wanted, an impressive man who stood head and shoulders above the rest. Saul probably started out with good intentions, but before long he veered off course, and his character began to erode because of his disobedience to God.  

Saul’s downhill slide began with rationalizing and excusing his rebellious actions (1 Samuel 13:6-14). Then he picked which parts of God’s commands to obey and which to neglect (1 Samuel 15:10-23). He claimed he’d obeyed fully, but after being confronted, he shifted the blame to his army. Eventually he became consumed with jealousy, rage, and fear, which led to many foolish decisions. Saul’s life stands as an example of what happens when sin creeps in and begins the destructive process of corruption. 

Spiritual erosion is dangerous because it occurs so slowly that we’re often unaware anything is happening inside us. Don’t wait until nearing the end of your earthly existence before looking for evidence of erosion. Check your heart regularly to be sure your soul is clean from the nagging, destructive presence of sin.

Memory verse:1 Samuel 15:23.

“Spiritual failure is seldom n explosion; it’s usually an erosion.” Larry Osborne