Checklist

What is happening in my life?

Do you recognise some of these symptoms?

This is not an exercise to condemn anybody. It is an exercise to invite the Holy Spirit to come and speak to us. It is a checklist to help us see where we are at.

1. Is prayer becoming unimportant?

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:16-18 (NLT)

2. My interest in Biblical truth is diminishing.

Paul and Silas then travelled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. Acts 17:1-2 (NLT)

3. Biblical knowledge is not applied inwardly.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:22 (NLT)

4. Thoughts are predominantly earthly and not

heavenward.

You adulterers! Don’t you realise that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. James 4:4 (NLT)

5. Church involvement is seen as inconvenient rather

than essential.

As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 2 Thess 3:13 (NLT)

6. Spiritual discussions are a source of embarrasment.

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. Romans 1:16 (NLT)

7. More time is devoted to recreation than the Word

and Prayer.

So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 (NLT)

8. Sins can be committed without violating conscience.

When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” Matthew 27:3-4 (NLT)

9. Pleasing God ceases to dominate your life and

thinking.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

10. Your mind is focused on the acquisition of money

and goods.

Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:20-21 (NLT)

Quotes from the Bible used throughout this site are: New Living Translation (NLT), copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. New American Standard Bible (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

11. Songs to God can be sung without sincerity.

Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. Ephesians 5:19 (NLT)

12. You can hear the Lord’s name taken in vain

without being disturbed.

You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. Exodus 20:7 (NLT)

13. Watching inappropriate television or movies

becomes acceptable and entertaining.

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15 I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. Psalms 101:3 (NLT)

14. The slightest diversion is able to take you away

from devotions.

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:2

15. Lack of Spiritual power is given no attention.

Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon? “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:19-21

16. Personal sins are self-excused with a ‘belief that

the Lord understands’.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:8-10

17. Acceptance and acclimation to ungodly attitudes

become easy.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. Galatians 5:16-18

18. You do nothing in service to God to help those

around you.

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:10

Be honest with yourself and God.