The Danger of Spiritual Forgetfulness

The Danger of Spiritual Forgetfulness
Dt. 1-5
“Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.  So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

It is easy to make vows in a sanctuary when we are moved by a sermon and encouraged in our faith.  However, spiritual commitments can easily be forgotten in the daily walk of life.  In a crisis, we turn to God but neglect Him when other demands and desires capture our attention and distract us from our faith.  The greatest threat to our spiritual health is not the onslaught of some great crisis or temptation; it is the neglect of our faith when we are caught up in the daily grind of the moment.

The book of Deuteronomy means “Second law” or “repeat law.”  It is Moses’ final message to the new generation as they are about to enter and take possession of the promised land.  Moses is at the end of his life and tenure leading the people of Israel.  The generation that experienced all the wonders of the deliverance of Egypt has died in the wilderness because of their sin.  The events when God demonstrated His power are now stories they have heard rather than miracles they experienced. As the new generation arises, their greatest danger is spiritual complacency and compromise.  Therefore, Moses gives his final address to remind the people of God’s commands and challenge them to remain committed to God. He begins with exhortations that challenge the people to guard their souls carefully.  To remain faithful, they must be intentional and diligent in obeying God’s commands (4:9,15).  Spiritual neglect easily becomes spiritual idolatry, which results in spiritual judgment (4:19,23-24). As they begin the arduous journey of taking possession of the land, the most significant challenge is not the military battles they will face; it is the spiritual battle within, the struggle of forgetting God and embracing idolatry (4:17-20).

In response to the threat, Moses sets a foundation upon which they can build and maintain their faith so that their faith remains vibrant and growing.  These principles are the foundation for our spiritual growth as well.  First, we must avoid the allure of spiritual distractions.  Moses warns the people of the danger of idolatry.  However, Idolatry is not just an idol that someone erects and we worship.  An idol is anything that becomes more important than our relationship with God and becomes our priority or the basis by which we live.  It may be our careers, hobbies, or culture itself. We must always examine our lives to ensure Christ is the center point.

Second, to avoid the danger of spiritual stagnation, we must remain faithful in our obedience to the Scriptures (4:40; 5:1-21).  The Bible is more than just a book we keep on the shelf and only open when we go to church.  It is to be our daily guide.  We must be governed by it and continually look to it for guidance.  

Last, we need to always remember the offer of God’s grace.   It is easy to slip into spiritual complacency and no longer live in obedience to God.  When our lives become disjointed and confusing, and we face insurmountable struggles, God is always available and always willing to restore our relationship with him.  He is a compassionate and forgiving God (4:31).

Just as Moses reminded the people of Israel to guard their spiritual relationship with God, we are reminded to ensure that we are living in obedience to God. Avoiding the trap of spiritual complacency requires spiritual vigilance to ensure that we are walking in obedience to Christ. Are you in His word and walking in obedience to God? Is God the focal point and priority of your life? Is he your passion in life? These are questions we must continually ask if we will maintain our relationship with God.