In Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel, The Sun Also Rises, Bill Gordon asks Mike Campbell, “How did you go bankrupt? Two ways Mike replies, gradually, and then suddenly.” The same can be said for the depletion of our spiritual life. Most people do not wake up one morning and say, today I want to become a drug addict. It happens over a period of time at first and then it collapses in upon them. It is an accumulation of decisions and actions that one day leave a person asking; How did this happen?
Let me suggest a terrible triad that leads to spiritual ruin. The downward spiritual spiral begins with Weak Devotions. When our devotional life is anemic, we get sick. If you do not eat or drink what the body needs, you begin to waste away. Slowly at first and then suddenly…crisis. When we fail to feast upon the inspired word of God and meet with the Lord our spiritual vitality will begin to deteriorate. What are you eating these days?
Worldly Desires are the result of a weak devotional life. The world pulls at our flesh and promises to deliver us from our cravings and provide all that we desire. But in the end, we find ourselves asking the salient question of T.S. Elliot- “Where is the life we lost in living?” Scripture reminds and exhorts us, “Do not love the world or the things of the world.” (I John 2:15) “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2) Do not miss the connection: Thinking leads to doing.
Wrong Decisions are the inevitable and inescapable result of worldly desires that develop from weak devotions. Have you ever asked yourself the question, Why in the world did I do that? The answer is - We do what makes sense to us at the time. Our Attitudes are Articulated in Our Actions.
My assumption is that you desire a sense of Spiritual Homeostasis. If this is correct, then let me invite you to develop and deepen your Devotional life daily. Consciously resist worldly desires. Decide to make your decisions based upon the inspired word of God.
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word. With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments. Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119: 9-11
Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred | 
