Continuing with the post from a few days ago about a little thing growing into a big thing, I have been thinking about a few people I know who were eaten alive by big things. Interesting that they all had one thing in common…they were once filled with passion for God and never thought they would ever fall away.  How did it happen?  Usually starts with a little thing.

A guy loves to surf and was told the best surfing was a Black’s Beach. In San Diego there are many beaches and everyone knows this one particular beach is a nude beach.  Kind of reminds me of the Garden of Eden, eat any fruit you desire but not that one.  My friend had many beaches to choose from but he chose that one. He claimed that he loved Jesus and the nudity did not bother him at all.  Oh? So you never, ever as a male struggle with lust? Ever?  Kind of like if I am an alcoholic I probably should not spend time sitting at a bar even if I am drinking just milk.  My friend fell away from God.

A friend has an unresolved conflict with his wife.  It continues unresolved until it is a big issue between them. He begins to receive attention from a very attractive woman who communicates he is all that.  She requested counseling from this pastor and he begins to meet with her.  The relationship with her grows.  He is disconnected from his wife.  There is an affair. A divorce. He is out of the ministry.

A friend is hurt by another. She refuses to forgive. She turns angry and bitter. Her fellowship with the Lord is broken.  Years pass and she wonders why her relationship with God is cold an stale.

A friend accidentally gets a pornographic photo on his computer. This has happened to most of us before. He takes it one step further and visits the site the next day. And then the next. And the next. He becomes addicted to porn. He falls away.

A friend decides to stop attending church because of the sin that she sees in the life of the people who make up the church. She decides she does not need the church to love Jesus. She forgot that Scripture teaches if you love me you will obey my word. (John 14:21)  She justifies not being obedient to Hebrews 10:24-25.  Disobedience always equals broken fellowship with God.  She fall’s away.  Over 20 years have passed since she stepped through the door of a church.

I could probably share 100 more examples of falling away from God.  The point is it can happen to any of us.  I know it could happen to me. We deceive ourselves when we don’t deal with the little things asap.  Once I heard Darryl Sanders, a co-worker with The Navs share that maturity is not someone who never falls but someone who is QUICK to deal throughly with sin. Ouch! Is there anything “little” you need to deal with? The reality is we don’t “fall away from God” but we walk away from Him. Are you walking toward Him or away from Him?