“Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop,” is the title of a neat little book by John Mason.
The book identifies areas in life where we become our own worst enemy. How we sabotage our success. And get in our own way of moving forward.
This problem, however, is deeper than how it affects us materially, financially or professionally. It’s a challenge spiritually. It’s an impediment to growth.
For the past 21 weeks we have discussed positive, proactive steps to growing spiritually. However, there are some hindrances that will impede our progress. They are obstacles that we need to identify and eliminate, if we are to fulfill God’s command “to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).
Growth stops before it ever gets started due to this age old problem of putting off what we know we ought to do. The fundamental daily disciplines of Bible study, reading, prayer, and meditation are often neglected while we fiddle around waiting for a more convenient time to begin.
John Lyly was right, “Delay breeds dangers.” Then he added there is nothing “so perilous as procrastination.” Procrastination is the thief of time; the robber of opportunity; and the swindler of success. Procrastination provides a self-deceiving excuse, the feeble promise of tomorrow, and results in neglect of personal responsibility.
The Bible warns, “Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins” (Jas 4:17, NIV).
The antidote to procrastination is urgency.
Fears, real or imagined, hinder growth. The one talent man in Jesus’ parable failed because he was afraid (Matt. 25:25). Fear paralyzes us. And produces inaction. Some people are afraid to fail. Others are afraid of what people may say when we seek to excel. And still others are actually afraid of success.
Fear is a deadly and debilitating emotion. Fear makes us skeptical. Suspicious. Selfish. Stubborn. And short-sighted.
Fran Tarkenton, fromer NFL quarterback, once observed, “Fear causes people to draw back from situations;” it brings on mediocrity; it dulls creativety; it sets one up to be a loser in life.” That’s not just true in sports, it’s true spiritually as well.
The antidote to fear is faith.
Unrepentant sin retards our growth. It slows us down. And renders us ineffective. It’s like trying to run a race wearing an overcoat and boots. Since sin is a barrier between man and God (Isa.53:1-2), how can one grow in Christ, while living in sin?
The antidote to sin is repentance.
Many people have an interest in spiritual growth and development, but lack a commitment to it. Ken Blanchard says, “When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”
Jesus’ teaching on daily cross bearing and Paul’s command to “crucify self” both speak to the importance of commitment to Christ (Lk. 9:23; Gal. 2:20).
Neil Strauss wrote, “Without commitment, you cannot have depth in anything, whether it’s a relationship, a business or a hobby.” It’s true spiritually, as well.
The antidote to lack of commitment is revival.
This is a tough nut to crack. Writing and preaching on the problem of indifference, often falls on deaf ears because, well…people are indifferent to it.
The Bible calls this being “lukewarm.” It was the sin of the Lacodeans (Rev. 3:15-18) They felt good about themselves. They had need of nothing, so they though. But John said they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked, spiritually speaking. They need to grow spiritually in the worse way, but didn’t even realize it.
The indifferent need a spiritual shaking. If you’re indifferent, wake up. Pay attention. Examine yourself. Your heart. Your life.
The antidote to indifference is renewed zeal.
Tomorrow we will discuss 5 more hindrances to your spiritual growth. In the meantime, “Let go of whatever makes you stop.”
(Note: Each of these 5 points are links to past posts that explore these issues in greater detail_
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman“
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