List of “Early warning signs”List of “Early warning signs”
Examinations & Check-upsExaminations & Check-ups
Early Detection ImportantEarly Detection Important
Must get it before it gets a hold on usJames 1:14,15Get it before it gets beyond curing1 Timothy 4:22 Peter 2:14
Dangers Relating to AuthorityFinding yourself resenting Biblical restrictions & requirementsFinding yourself justifying views & actions by something other than Bible authority like:
What good & beloved people think about it1 Corinthians 2:4,5What we feel about it rather than based on BibleProverbs 14:12
Dangers Relating to AuthorityFinding yourself justifying views & actions by something other than Bible authority like:
What we feel about it rather than based on BibleProverbs 14:12What is popularly accepted or endorsed1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Dangers Relating to PeopleFinding it harder & harder to resist peer pressure - Matthew 14:9Finding yourself feeling more & more neglected by brethren - Matthew 20:28Finding yourself critical of the church-looking for excuse to quitFinding yourself more concerned with personal rights than feelings of brethren – 1 Corinthians Chapters 8,9
Dangers Relating to PreferencesPreferring constant company of worldly minded over spiritually mindedPreferring secular activities over spiritual exercise
When our only real joy comes from non-spiritual activitiesAny spiritual exercise becomes a burden
Dangers Relating to TimeFinding it harder to find time for spiritual exercise- public/privateFinding more time consumed by affairs of this life - 2 Timothy 2:4
Even “Innocent pleasures” 2 Timothy 3:4Even “necessities” of this life- Matthew 6:30,33
Finding yourself wanting to rush through worship to get on to something else
Dangers Relating to ConscienceFinding yourself constantly arguing with your conscienceTalking yourself into partaking in doubtful practices – Romans 14:23Talking yourself out of known dutiesFinding yourself constantly on the defensive
Dangers Relating to SinBeing comfortable with sin in others
2 Peter 2:8
Minimizing seriousness of sinAfter all, “all have sinned.”Comparing own sins with sins of othersMore critical of efforts to correct sin & the sinner
These things need to be These things need to be watched lest they lead to the watched lest they lead to the
point of apostasy point of apostasy
