Live Against the Drift: Avoiding Spiritual Drifting in 2023 and Beyond

Live Against the Drift: Avoiding Spiritual Drifting in 2023 and Beyond

As we journey through life, we often find ourselves drifting away from our intended course. And just like in physical drifting, spiritual drifting can be gradual and subtle, and before we know it, we are miles away from where we should be.

But just as there are ways to avoid physical drifting, we can also avoid spiritual drifting by being intentional and deliberate in our actions. In this article, we will explore practical steps we can take to live against the drift and stay on course in our spiritual journey in 2023 and beyond.

What is Spiritual Drifting?

Spiritual drifting is the gradual movement away from God's intended purpose for our lives. It happens when we become complacent, distracted, or lose sight of our spiritual goals. It can also occur when we stop prioritizing our relationship with God or neglecting spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.

Hebrews 2:1 warns us to pay close attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. This drifting can lead us to a state of spiritual apathy, where we lose our passion for God and our desire to serve Him.

Why Do We Drift Spiritually?

There are several reasons why we might drift spiritually. One is the influence of the world around us. The Bible urges us not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

Another reason is neglecting our spiritual disciplines. Just as we need to exercise regularly to maintain physical fitness, we need to engage in spiritual disciplines to maintain spiritual fitness.

Additionally, fear and doubt can cause us to drift. When we face challenges and difficulties, we may question God's goodness and faithfulness, causing us to drift away from Him.

How to Avoid Spiritual Drifting in 2023 and Beyond

1. Cultivate Intimacy with God

Intimacy with God is the foundation of our spiritual journey. We need to prioritize our relationship with Him by spending time in prayer, worship, and Bible study.

Psalm 1:1-3 tells us that those who delight in God's law and meditate on it day and night are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. This means that when we cultivate intimacy with God, we become spiritually fruitful and resilient.

2. Surround Yourself with Like-Minded Believers

Being part of a community of believers is essential to our spiritual growth. We need to surround ourselves with people who share our faith and who can encourage and support us in our journey.

Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. This means that we need to be intentional about fellowship and actively seek out opportunities to connect with other believers.

3. Engage in Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, fasting, and worship are essential to our spiritual growth and vitality. We need to make these disciplines a priority in our lives.

Matthew 6:6 encourages us to go into our room and shut the door and pray to our Father who is in secret. This means that we should make time for private prayer and not rely solely on corporate prayer.

Similarly, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. This means that we should prioritize Bible study and engage with Scripture regularly.

4. Guard Your Heart and Mind

We need to guard our hearts and minds against the influences of the world that can cause us to drift away from God. We need to be intentional about what we allow into our minds and hearts.

Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from it. This means that we need to be vigilant about protecting our hearts from negative influences such as gossip, envy, and bitterness.

Similarly, Philippians 4:8 urges us to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. This means that we should be intentional about what we allow into our minds and focus on things that are positive and edifying.

5. Stay Focused on Your Spiritual Goals

We need to stay focused on our spiritual goals and not allow distractions to pull us off course. We need to have a clear sense of purpose and direction in our spiritual journey.

Philippians 3:14 tells us to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. This means that we need to be intentional about setting spiritual goals and working towards them.

6. Trust in God's Faithfulness

When we face challenges and difficulties, we need to trust in God's faithfulness and goodness. We need to remember that God is sovereign and that He is working all things together for our good.

Psalm 27:13-14 reminds us to wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. This means that we should be patient and trust in God's timing and plan for our lives.

Conclusion

As we journey through life, we will face many challenges and distractions that can cause us to drift spiritually. However, we can avoid spiritual drifting by cultivating intimacy with God, surrounding ourselves with like-minded believers, engaging in spiritual disciplines, guarding our hearts and minds, staying focused on our spiritual goals, and trusting in God's faithfulness.

Let us be intentional and deliberate in our actions, living against the drift and staying on course in our spiritual journey in 2023 and beyond.