Five things (5ss) that destroy christians
We are going to look at five things that can easily destroy a believer.
While some are outrightly wrong, and need a change of attitude, others just need control.
Good things can destroy a person too, especially if they do not exercise self control.
1. Success - The accomplishment of something.
To be successful is to be in a state of comfort or rather winning in life. Success, if not controlled, can lead a believer into destruction.
When all looks good to a man, pride can easily find a way.
Lucifer was once very successful, both in position and abilities.
His position exalted him. As a result, God humbled him.
Being successful means that the grace of God is upon you. It is not by might or power.
Jam 4:6 says that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
King Nebuchadnezzar got full of himself too in Daniel 4:30-33.
He looked at his kingdom and beat his chest, of how he had built everything by his strength, and for his glory.
He was humbled too much, that he was driven to the wild among the wild animals, and to eat grass.
Herod in Acts 12:23, was struck by an angel and eaten by worms for being full of himself. Success was the factor for his downfall.
In Phil 3:8, Paul says that he considers everything rubbish that he may gain Christ.
2. Selfishness
Selfishness is all about 'me, myself and mine.'
Selfish people have zero consideration for other people.
Phil 2:3 says 'do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.'
Do not despise anyone including children. We read an account of how Paul was rescued by his nephew, who overheard a plot against Paul, and revealed it. (Acts 23: 16-35)
When you are selfish, you hinder your own blessings.
3. Slothfulness
It is simply being lazy.
Prov 6:6-11 is a charge against laziness.
There are people who simply endorse laziness and refuse to do anything about it.
Effects of Laziness;
- Laziness leads to poverty
- Leads to shame Prov 10:5
- Leads to disatisfaction
- Leads to slavery Prov 12:24
- A lazy man wastes his life
Prov 18:9 says that a lazy man is a brother to the one who destroys.
Prov 24:30 compares a lazy man to one who lacks sense.
1 Tim 5:8 'Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.'
4. Stress
Stress is a state anxiety/worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation.
Stress is caused by certain pressures of life.
Stressful situations lift problems above God, which is wrong and unbiblical.
Phil 4:6 tells us not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, we should make our requests known to God.
Look at these scriptures and find encouragement in that situation;
1 Peter 5:7 ''Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.'
John 14:1 '“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me."
Matt 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Prov 12:25 "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."
Psalms 102:2 "Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress.Turn your ear to me;when I call, answer me quickly."
When in distress, do not be quiet. Cry out to God like the Psalmist in the scripture above.
Solutions to Stress
I. Recognize your problem.
As long as you can recognize it, you can present it to God.
Ii. Pray
Do not be anxious about anything but present everything to God in prayer.
Iii. Meditate
Meditate on the Word of God. Meditation helps you adhere to what is said in the scriptures. To meditate, you must read the Word often, and recite it so that it sticks.
Iv. Praise
Sing praises to God. Let praises come out of you as the first response to any stressful situations.
Don't sing songs in line with what you are going through.
5. Sin
Sin hardens the heart. We can go on and on about sin and its repercussions.
The devil destroys through sin, whose wages are death.
Sin is the biggest destroyer ever. We can't overemphasize on that.
These five things will destroy you if you don't take the necessary measures.