January 22, 2025 • 25 mins
Join Pastor Brandon Holm in ‘How to Drift From God,’ a thought-provoking sermon from The Greater Guild Church's ‘Bad Advice’ series. Explore the subtle ways we can drift from God and discover practical steps to return to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him. Perfect for geeks, gamers, and anyone seeking faith-based inspiration!
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Episode Transcript
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Greater Guild Announcer (00:02):
Welcome to the Greater Guild Loading
Screen, the podcast where faithmeets geek culture. Today's
journey is guided by PastorBrandon Holm, bringing you
insights that blend timelessbiblical truths with the
creative world of gamers, geeks,and sci fi fans alike. Whether
you're battling bosses in lifeor exploring the galaxies of
(00:23):
faith, this message is for you.Now, let's power up and dive
into today's sermon, how todrift from God. Stay tuned and
prepare to level up spiritually.
Pastor Brandon Holm (00:40):
Greetings, fellow travelers of the stars
and secrets of truth. If you'vecome this far or just joining
us, welcome. So we're gonnabegin our journey through this
adventure and dive into amessage that's not just a tale,
but a warning beacon to theradar of our spiritual voyage.
And the topic today is, how todrift from God? As part of our
(01:04):
bad advice series where we'reexposing faulty guidance and
replace it with the radianttruths of God's word.
This series is about knowingwhat this bad advice is, and
will give you ideas on what thisbad advice sounds like and
mainly how to avoid it. So ourjourney begins with Matthew 13
and where Jesus shares a parableabout a sower scattering seeds,
(01:27):
And we'll see this, like, intoday's modern seed in our today
modern farming where they haveautomated seed planters on the
back of tractors. Back in theday, it was just a bag, and you
would had person throwing outlike you see in, like, cartoons
and and, anime where, you know,you see somebody scattered seeds
from a bag. Same thing. That'swhat happened during Jesus'
(01:48):
time.
So, you know, he talks about,you know, a lot of things, but
we're gonna examine the soilsthat represent the different
spiritual conditions and theoutcomes they produce. So the
first scenario, the seed justfalls on the path. I mean, just
a standard walking path, youknow, like many of the trails
(02:09):
that we see in the mountains oralong the beach or anything like
that. And Jesus explains thatthis represents those who hear
the word, but don't understandit. When anyone hears the word
of the kingdom and does notunderstand it, the evil one
comes and snatches away what hasbeen sown in their heart.
This is what was sown along thepath. The seed, God's word, is
(02:33):
devoured by the enemy before itcan take root. This warns us to
be vigilant, actively seekingunderstanding, and not letting
distractions or doubts rob us ofour true of the truth. So next,
we have what is known as therocky ground. As for what was
sown on rocky ground, this isthe one who hears the word and
(02:54):
immediately receives it withjoy.
Yet, he has no root in himself,but endures for a while. And,
when tribulation or persecutionarises on account of the word,
immediately, he falls away. Andhere, enthusiasm phase when
challenges arrive. Yeah. Withoutdepth, you know, faith cannot
(03:16):
withstand trials.
It's like, if you look at theredwoods yeah. They have deep
soil, you know, deep roots thatgo 20 to 30 feet, but, also,
they scatter out, and we'll getinto that a little bit later. So
this highlights the importanceof cultivating a robust
foundation through prayer,study, and communication. Now,
(03:37):
there's the thorns. As Jesussays, as for what was sown among
thorns, this is the one whohears the word.
But the cares of the world andthe deceitfulness of riches
choke the word, and it provesunfruitful. This soil is
particularly sobering becauseit's not outright rejection, but
(03:59):
acknowledges the distractionsthat renders the seed
ineffective. Life's demands anddesires can suddenly choke out
spiritual growth if leftunchecked. Now, finally, of the
4, this is where we get to thegood soil. It represents the
hearts ready to receive andnurture God's word.
(04:19):
As for what was sown on goodsoil, this is the one who hears
the word and understands it. Heindeed bears fruit and yield. In
one case, a 100 fold, andanother 60, and another 30. In
Jesus's time, a tenfold returnwas astonishing. 30 fold, 64, or
even a 100 fold were miraculous.
(04:42):
Results only God could bring.And this soil shows the
exponential power of God's Word,when it takes root in a
receptive heart. Each type ofsoil serves as a checkpoint for
self examination. Are youallowing distractions? You know,
difficulties, or doubts tohinder your spiritual growth?
Or are you cultivating a heartready to bear fruit? You know,
(05:05):
the choice is yours, and it'sours. And the consequences
resonate far beyond our earthlylives. Now in relation to the
soil peril, the issues we havewhen it comes to our faith can
be profound. In the case ofHebrews 21, we are given the
first issue when being new tofaith or even complacent.
(05:28):
Therefore, we must pay muchcloser attention to what we have
have heard, lest we drift awayfrom it. Now, drifting doesn't
happen overnight. It's a gradualprocess. Imagine a spacecraft
veering off course, not becauseof a sudden jolt or due to a
persistent unnoticedgravitational pull. Think of the
(05:51):
of Voyagers 12, which use theslingshot method of travel where
gravity from the planets allowsfor course correction and
acceleration.
But if the numbers are wrong orsomebody just doesn't pay
attention, it could send thespacecraft in directions
undesired by mission control.Similarly, spiritual drifting
occurs subtly, often without usrealizing it. The writer of
(06:15):
Hebrews uses the phrase, mostcareful attention deliberately.
This isn't a casual glance or anoccasional check-in, but a
focused intentional effort tostay aligned with God's truth.
As mentioned earlier, even aminor deviation, if unchecked,
can lead to catastrophicconsequences over time.
(06:37):
Now drifting can manifest insmall, seemingly harmless
seemingly harmless. It mightstart with skipping a day of
prayer or neglecting time in theword. Maybe it's a decision to
prioritize entertainment overworship or to let community
connections falter. Now, each ofthese acts, while minor in
isolation, contributes to atrajectory that pulls us away
(07:01):
from God's presence. The versealso emphasizes the need for
vigilance in what we've heard.
God's word is the foundation ofour faith. By continually
returning to scripture, werecalibrate our hearts and minds
ensuring we remain steadfast.Without this constant
engagement, we risk losing sightof our spiritual bearings.
(07:25):
Ultimately, drifting from Godisn't just about losing touch
with spiritual practices. It'sabout losing intimacy with it,
And some of you get your mindout of the gutter.
The danger lies in thecomplacency that allows us to
feel uncomfortable while movingfurther from the source of life
and light. Recognizing thisdrift is the first step in
(07:47):
course correction, and payingcareful attention is the key to
saying anger. When one starts todrift from God, we tend to think
in the immediate. But as statedearlier, it is gradual and
sometimes comes in in a form ofbad advice from oneself or
others. Let's go over some ofthis bad advice.
(08:09):
Imagine neglecting yourspacecraft's engines and power
plant. I know. Horrible thought.Without maintenance, they'll
fail. Similarly, neglecting timewith God drains our spiritual
vitality.
The the relationship we havewith God is much like a power
source. Constant connectionkeeps us charged, but neglect
(08:30):
leads to a slow fade intodarkness, just like leaving our
cell phones off the chargerovernight. Small steps like
skipping daily prayer, ignoringthe Bible, or avoiding worship
may seem insignificant at first.Yet, over time, they form a
pattern of disengagement. Youmight begin to feel distant from
(08:50):
God, not because he has moved,but because you've turned down
the volume of his voice in yourlife.
In Psalm 63:1, the versecaptures the essence of a
vibrant relationship with God.Oh, God. You are my God.
Earnestly, I seek you. My soulthirsts for you.
My flesh faints for you, as in adry and weary land where there
(09:13):
is no water. To neglect thisthirst is to allow your spirit
to just dry out, leaving youvulnerable to the weariness and
distractions of the world.Neglect can also creep into
worship. Treat it like anobligation rather than an
opportunity to connect deeplywith God. Arrive late, disengage
with songs, or let your mindwander through sermons.
(09:36):
Now I don't sing with the peoplewhen I go to church. It's just
not my stuff, but I listen tothe people. I listen to the
songs. And for me even as apastor people have asked me why
don't you you know get up andworship and sing it's like
that's not who I am butlistening to people listening to
(09:58):
the sound that it makes the thethe harmony, the chorus, and
everything. It really fills meup.
It just it's like God manifestsin my heart me not to sing, but
me to listen. And as a pastor,that's important for me to
listen. Now worship you know, inthe end, you know, we can have
major problems. Like I said, wecan let our mind wander in
(10:22):
sermons. And, again, worshipthen becomes another box to
check rather than atransformative encounter.
The drift continues when youignore opportunities to engage
with God's word. The Bibledescribe the Bible is really
described as living and activein Hebrews 412. It has the power
(10:44):
to shape our hearts and minds.Without it, we lack the
spiritual fuel needed tonavigate life's challenges.
Finally, prayer is often thefirst practice to go.
When we stop speaking to Godregularly, our relationship with
him suffers. Prayer is not justcommunication, it's connection.
Without it, the drift becomesinevitable. The less you
(11:07):
prioritize time with God, theeasier it becomes to justify the
distance. Want to drift fromGod?
Well, simply neglect theseessential practices, Let your
spiritual disciplines the road,and you'll find yourself far
from the anchor of your soulbefore you realize it. In a
squad, your companions determineyour mission success. Bad
(11:28):
influences can lead to failure.Surrounding yourself with people
who pull you away from Godguarantees spiritual decline. Do
not be deceived.
Bad company ruins good morals.To drift, prioritize
relationships that cater toconvenience over conviction.
Seek out individuals who dismissGod's guidance, indulge in
(11:50):
negative behaviors, or encourageyou to compromise your faith.
These connections act likegravitational forces pulling you
off course slowly. The Biblefrequently warns of dangers
posed by ungodly associations.
This is especially true inProverbs 13/20, which adds,
(12:10):
whoever walks with the wisebecomes wise, but the companion
of fools will suffer harm. Haveyou ever remembered your youth,
for those of you who are alittle bit older and a little
bit wiser? Think about that. Whoyou walk alongside shapes your
journey? If your companionschoose paths contrary to God,
(12:31):
their influence will steer youaway from him.
Again, drifting from God'spretty much, you know, going
ahead and avoiding those whochallenge your growth or hold
you accountable. And you willinstead find comfort in
relationships that reaffirm yourworldly priorities or shield you
from uncomfortable truths. Whenyour closest circle normalizes
(12:53):
spiritual neglect, driftingbecomes second nature. If you
really want to ensure you're offcourse, let toxic friendships
dominate. Ignore those whoencourage godlessness or spur
you towards good work.
Let peer pressure guide youractions and adopt the values of
those who lack reverence forGod. In doing so, you'll
solidify your drift. Like anadventure surrounded by the
(13:16):
wrong crew, your spiritualmission becomes compromised when
your squad values selfishpursuits over divine purpose.
Choose your allies wisely. Yourorbit and your trajectory really
does depend on it.
Sin often looks appealing, butit's a trap that ensnares us and
pulls us off course. Temptationdoesn't come with warning lights
(13:40):
or sirens. It sneaks in. Dressas something desirable or even
harmless. Think of the m 113monster from Star Trek.
And in doing so, it's making iteasier to justify any of our
choices. But each person istempted when he is lured and
enticed by his own desire. Thendesire, when it has conceived,
(14:05):
gives birth to sin. And sin,when it is fully grown, brings
forth death. To drift, let yourdesires lead you without
question.
Temptation thrives in ourwillingness to rationalize. Have
you ever said to yourself, oh,just one more time or no one
will know. These smallcompromises paves the way for
(14:26):
sin to take root and grow. Sinis like a parasite. It feeds on
secrecy.
The more we hide it, thestronger it becomes. Instead of
confronting it, we often bury itdeeper, hoping it'll resolve
itself. But unaddressed sin onlygrows, eventually, leading to
(14:46):
spiritual death. A state ofseparation from God's presence
and peace. Temptation alsothrives in isolation.
When we distance ourselves fromaccountability, whether through
godly friends, community, ormentors, we make it easier to
give in. Without the light ofaccountability, temptation
flourishes in the shadows. Ifyou want to ensure spiritual
(15:10):
drift, continue to rationalizeand hide your sins. Avoid
confession and repentance. Letguilt and shame build walls
between you and god.
Over time, these barriers willfeel insurmountable, pushing you
further away from him. Andremember, sin offers fleeting
pleasure, but long termconsequences. Like a trap,
(15:32):
baited, enticing, but ultimatelydestructive. And the best way to
drift? Stop fighting it.
Let it drag you along, uncheckeduntil it controls your direction
entirely. When the pursuit ofmaterial things and worldly
pleasures overtakes our love forGod, we drift further into
spiritual darkness. It's asubtle shift that begins with
(15:54):
the things of this world startto occupy the throne of our
heart, a place that belongs toGod alone. Do not love the world
or the things in the world. Ifanyone loves the world, the love
of the father is not in him.
To drift, prioritize temporarysatisfaction over eternal joy.
(16:15):
Face after well, pain, andstatus as if they hold the key
to fulfillment. I know severalpeople and probably you do too,
a lot of celebrities.Definitely. Convince yourself
that if you just had more, youknow, like more money, more
recognition, more possessions,then you'd be content.
(16:36):
The deception lies in the ideathat these worldly pursuits can
satisfy the deep longing of yoursoul. As Jesus warned in Matthew
619 through 21, do not lay upfor yourselves treasures on
earth, where moth and rustdestroy, and where thieves break
in and steal. But lay up or arefor yourselves treasures in
(16:59):
heaven, where neither the mothnor rust destroys, and where
thieves do not break in andsteal. For where your treasure
is, there your heart will bealso. To love this world more
than God means giving your heartto what fades, trusts, and
ultimately perishes.
It's being consumed bycomparisons, scrolling through
(17:22):
social media, and envying whatothers have. It's letting
hobbies or career ambitionsconsume your time, energy, and
identity while leaving littleroom for god. Don't get me
wrong. Gaming is great. Cosplayis fine.
Watching man reading manga andwatching anime is great. But if
those are more important thanyour time with God, you know,
(17:44):
you're gonna drift away fairlyquickly. Like I said, when the
love when you love the worldmore, worship just becomes
hollow. You may sing the songs,but your heart is chasing
something else. The Biblebecomes an afterthought, a relic
of a faith you once prioritize.
Relationships with godly peoplebecome burdensome, because they
(18:07):
remind you of what you'veabandoned. Now, to ensure a full
drift, immerse yourself inmaterialism, and let it dedicate
and dictate your values. Obsessover appearance, idolize
success, and measure your worthby the standards of this world.
So you'll find yourself fartherfrom God and more deeply
(18:29):
entrenched in the emptiness ofwhat this world offers.
Pretending to be close to Godwhile your heart is far from him
is the ultimate form ofspiritual drift.
You may outwardly appear devout,but inwardly, you're
disconnected. And the Lord said,because this people draw near
with their mouth and honor mewith their lips, all their
(18:50):
hearts are far from me. Andtheir fear of me is a
commandment taught by men. Todrift, learn the art of looking
the part without living thetruth. Attend services rarely,
but let your heart staydisengaged.
Sing worship songs withenthusiasm, but don't allow the
lyrics to challenge or transformyou. Know the language of faith,
(19:12):
sprinkling in amen and god isgood at the right moments, while
avoiding the genuine surrenderthat faith demands. Faking it
can become second nature. Itprovides the comfort of
appearing spiritually healthywhile masking the emptiness
within. Over time, the facadecan become so convincing that
(19:32):
even you might believe it.
But, beneath the surface,there's no real connection to
God. Just hollow rituals andunfulfilled longing. The danger
of faking it is that it numbsyou to your own spiritual state.
Instead of seekingtransformation, you settle for
performance. Rather thanaddressing areas of weakness, we
(19:54):
cover them with a veneer ofpiety.
The result? A heart that dressfurther from God, hidden behind
a mask of religiosity. If youwant to ensure spiritual drift,
keep up appearances whileneglecting author authenticity.
Excuse me. Let your spirituallife become a show, a carefully
(20:14):
curated image that hides a lackof real intimacy with God.
But remember, God sees beyondthe surface. He desires a heart
that's genuine, not aperformance that's polished.
When we recognize the drift,there's hope. God's grace calls
us back to him. But I have thisagainst you, that you have
(20:35):
abandoned the love you had atfirst.
Remember, therefore, from whereyou have fallen, repent, and do
the works you did at first. Ifnot, it will come to you and
remove your lampstand from itsplace, unless you repent.
Returning to God begins withacknowledging the distance. It
requires honest reflectionasking, where did I start to
(20:58):
drift? What led me away?
Like a navigator charting a newcourse, we must identify the
point of deviation to realignourselves with God. Repentance
is more than just feeling sorry.It's a decisive turn back to
God, away from the distractionstemptations or routines that
(21:18):
have drawn us away. The word,repent. Repent in its original
context means to change one'smind and direction.
It's an active intentionalshift, a choice to move back
towards the one who never movedaway from us. To rekindle our
first love, we must do thethings we did at first. Think
(21:38):
back to when your faith wasvibrant and alive. What
practices brought you close toGod? Was it spending unhurried
time in his word, pouring yourheart out in prayer, serving
others selflessly?
These actions weren't mereduties. They were expressions of
a love filled relationship.Start small, but stay
(21:59):
consistent. Open your Bible, notout of obligation, but with the
anticipation. Set aside momentsin your day to reconnect with
through prayer, not just ask,but to listen.
I do this every morning andevery night. What before you
know, right when I wake up,first thing I do is is give
myself prayer to God, and thenusually takes about 5 to 10
(22:21):
minutes. And then I can go aboutmy day. And before bed, I just
sit down, relax, have aconversation with God, say, hey.
This is what happened.
This is how how I feel rightnow. I don't think I
accomplished or I hey. Iaccomplished major stuff today.
Those type of things are reallygreat for prayer because that's
the communication, but when Godspeaks to you, you need to
(22:43):
listen during your prayer time.Another way is rejoin a
community of believers who willengage and challenge you.
As you take these steps, theembers of your faith will begin
to glow once more. Now remember,God's love hasn't wavered. He's
like the father in the story ofthe prodigal son, waiting with
open arms to welcome us home.His grace isn't conditional on
(23:07):
how far we've drifted. It'salways sufficient to bring us
back.
To return to your first love isto experience renewal. A revival
of the joy, passion, and peacethat came from walking closely
with God. It's not aboutperfection. Connection. As you
draw near to him, you'll findhe's already there, ready to
(23:29):
embrace you and lead youforward.
Like a spacecraft realigningwith its destination, we must
fix our gaze on Jesus. If you'vedrifted, remember, God hasn't
moved. Just like mister Scottand Star Trek through Scott with
Spock Prime, realizing that thestarship does not move, but
(23:50):
space style does. God is thatspaceship. We are the ones in
motion, and he's waiting withopen arms ready to restore and
renew, not just me, but you aswell.
Let's heed the warning signals.Let's pray careful attention to
what we've heard. Let's notdrift, but instead draw near to
God who calls us to life,purpose, and hope. Let us then
(24:15):
with confidence draw near to thethrone of grace that we may
receive mercy and find grace tohelp in time of need. So suit up
fellow adventurers and alignyour hearts with the eternal
navigator.
God's word is your compass.Prayer is your communication.
The spirit is your guide. Staythe course and finish well.
Greater Guild Announcer (24:40):
Thank you for joining us on the
Greater Guild loading screen. Iftoday's message inspired you,
challenged you, or made youthink differently about your
journey with God, we'd love tohear from you. Don't forget to
subscribe, leave a review, andshare this episode with your
guildmates. Remember, theadventure doesn't stop here.
Stay connected with the GreaterGuild Church on all your
(25:02):
favorite platforms.
Until next time, may your faithstay strong, your heart stay
true, and your path stay alignedwith the ultimate navigator. See
you in the next chapter.
Welcome to the Greater Guild Loading
Screen, the podcast where faithmeets geek culture. Today's
journey is guided by PastorBrandon Holm, bringing you
insights that blend timelessbiblical truths with the
creative world of gamers, geeks,and sci fi fans alike. Whether
you're battling bosses in lifeor exploring the galaxies of
(00:23):
faith, this message is for you.Now, let's power up and dive
into today's sermon, how todrift from God. Stay tuned and
prepare to level up spiritually.
Pastor Brandon Holm (00:40):
Greetings, fellow travelers of the stars
and secrets of truth. If you'vecome this far or just joining
us, welcome. So we're gonnabegin our journey through this
adventure and dive into amessage that's not just a tale,
but a warning beacon to theradar of our spiritual voyage.
And the topic today is, how todrift from God? As part of our
(01:04):
bad advice series where we'reexposing faulty guidance and
replace it with the radianttruths of God's word.
This series is about knowingwhat this bad advice is, and
will give you ideas on what thisbad advice sounds like and
mainly how to avoid it. So ourjourney begins with Matthew 13
and where Jesus shares a parableabout a sower scattering seeds,
(01:27):
And we'll see this, like, intoday's modern seed in our today
modern farming where they haveautomated seed planters on the
back of tractors. Back in theday, it was just a bag, and you
would had person throwing outlike you see in, like, cartoons
and and, anime where, you know,you see somebody scattered seeds
from a bag. Same thing. That'swhat happened during Jesus'
(01:48):
time.
So, you know, he talks about,you know, a lot of things, but
we're gonna examine the soilsthat represent the different
spiritual conditions and theoutcomes they produce. So the
first scenario, the seed justfalls on the path. I mean, just
a standard walking path, youknow, like many of the trails
(02:09):
that we see in the mountains oralong the beach or anything like
that. And Jesus explains thatthis represents those who hear
the word, but don't understandit. When anyone hears the word
of the kingdom and does notunderstand it, the evil one
comes and snatches away what hasbeen sown in their heart.
This is what was sown along thepath. The seed, God's word, is
(02:33):
devoured by the enemy before itcan take root. This warns us to
be vigilant, actively seekingunderstanding, and not letting
distractions or doubts rob us ofour true of the truth. So next,
we have what is known as therocky ground. As for what was
sown on rocky ground, this isthe one who hears the word and
(02:54):
immediately receives it withjoy.
Yet, he has no root in himself,but endures for a while. And,
when tribulation or persecutionarises on account of the word,
immediately, he falls away. Andhere, enthusiasm phase when
challenges arrive. Yeah. Withoutdepth, you know, faith cannot
(03:16):
withstand trials.
It's like, if you look at theredwoods yeah. They have deep
soil, you know, deep roots thatgo 20 to 30 feet, but, also,
they scatter out, and we'll getinto that a little bit later. So
this highlights the importanceof cultivating a robust
foundation through prayer,study, and communication. Now,
(03:37):
there's the thorns. As Jesussays, as for what was sown among
thorns, this is the one whohears the word.
But the cares of the world andthe deceitfulness of riches
choke the word, and it provesunfruitful. This soil is
particularly sobering becauseit's not outright rejection, but
(03:59):
acknowledges the distractionsthat renders the seed
ineffective. Life's demands anddesires can suddenly choke out
spiritual growth if leftunchecked. Now, finally, of the
4, this is where we get to thegood soil. It represents the
hearts ready to receive andnurture God's word.
(04:19):
As for what was sown on goodsoil, this is the one who hears
the word and understands it. Heindeed bears fruit and yield. In
one case, a 100 fold, andanother 60, and another 30. In
Jesus's time, a tenfold returnwas astonishing. 30 fold, 64, or
even a 100 fold were miraculous.
(04:42):
Results only God could bring.And this soil shows the
exponential power of God's Word,when it takes root in a
receptive heart. Each type ofsoil serves as a checkpoint for
self examination. Are youallowing distractions? You know,
difficulties, or doubts tohinder your spiritual growth?
Or are you cultivating a heartready to bear fruit? You know,
(05:05):
the choice is yours, and it'sours. And the consequences
resonate far beyond our earthlylives. Now in relation to the
soil peril, the issues we havewhen it comes to our faith can
be profound. In the case ofHebrews 21, we are given the
first issue when being new tofaith or even complacent.
(05:28):
Therefore, we must pay muchcloser attention to what we have
have heard, lest we drift awayfrom it. Now, drifting doesn't
happen overnight. It's a gradualprocess. Imagine a spacecraft
veering off course, not becauseof a sudden jolt or due to a
persistent unnoticedgravitational pull. Think of the
(05:51):
of Voyagers 12, which use theslingshot method of travel where
gravity from the planets allowsfor course correction and
acceleration.
But if the numbers are wrong orsomebody just doesn't pay
attention, it could send thespacecraft in directions
undesired by mission control.Similarly, spiritual drifting
occurs subtly, often without usrealizing it. The writer of
(06:15):
Hebrews uses the phrase, mostcareful attention deliberately.
This isn't a casual glance or anoccasional check-in, but a
focused intentional effort tostay aligned with God's truth.
As mentioned earlier, even aminor deviation, if unchecked,
can lead to catastrophicconsequences over time.
(06:37):
Now drifting can manifest insmall, seemingly harmless
seemingly harmless. It mightstart with skipping a day of
prayer or neglecting time in theword. Maybe it's a decision to
prioritize entertainment overworship or to let community
connections falter. Now, each ofthese acts, while minor in
isolation, contributes to atrajectory that pulls us away
(07:01):
from God's presence. The versealso emphasizes the need for
vigilance in what we've heard.
God's word is the foundation ofour faith. By continually
returning to scripture, werecalibrate our hearts and minds
ensuring we remain steadfast.Without this constant
engagement, we risk losing sightof our spiritual bearings.
(07:25):
Ultimately, drifting from Godisn't just about losing touch
with spiritual practices. It'sabout losing intimacy with it,
And some of you get your mindout of the gutter.
The danger lies in thecomplacency that allows us to
feel uncomfortable while movingfurther from the source of life
and light. Recognizing thisdrift is the first step in
(07:47):
course correction, and payingcareful attention is the key to
saying anger. When one starts todrift from God, we tend to think
in the immediate. But as statedearlier, it is gradual and
sometimes comes in in a form ofbad advice from oneself or
others. Let's go over some ofthis bad advice.
(08:09):
Imagine neglecting yourspacecraft's engines and power
plant. I know. Horrible thought.Without maintenance, they'll
fail. Similarly, neglecting timewith God drains our spiritual
vitality.
The the relationship we havewith God is much like a power
source. Constant connectionkeeps us charged, but neglect
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leads to a slow fade intodarkness, just like leaving our
cell phones off the chargerovernight. Small steps like
skipping daily prayer, ignoringthe Bible, or avoiding worship
may seem insignificant at first.Yet, over time, they form a
pattern of disengagement. Youmight begin to feel distant from
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God, not because he has moved,but because you've turned down
the volume of his voice in yourlife.
In Psalm 63:1, the versecaptures the essence of a
vibrant relationship with God.Oh, God. You are my God.
Earnestly, I seek you. My soulthirsts for you.
My flesh faints for you, as in adry and weary land where there
(09:13):
is no water. To neglect thisthirst is to allow your spirit
to just dry out, leaving youvulnerable to the weariness and
distractions of the world.Neglect can also creep into
worship. Treat it like anobligation rather than an
opportunity to connect deeplywith God. Arrive late, disengage
with songs, or let your mindwander through sermons.
(09:36):
Now I don't sing with the peoplewhen I go to church. It's just
not my stuff, but I listen tothe people. I listen to the
songs. And for me even as apastor people have asked me why
don't you you know get up andworship and sing it's like
that's not who I am butlistening to people listening to
(09:58):
the sound that it makes the thethe harmony, the chorus, and
everything. It really fills meup.
It just it's like God manifestsin my heart me not to sing, but
me to listen. And as a pastor,that's important for me to
listen. Now worship you know, inthe end, you know, we can have
major problems. Like I said, wecan let our mind wander in
(10:22):
sermons. And, again, worshipthen becomes another box to
check rather than atransformative encounter.
The drift continues when youignore opportunities to engage
with God's word. The Bibledescribe the Bible is really
described as living and activein Hebrews 412. It has the power
(10:44):
to shape our hearts and minds.Without it, we lack the
spiritual fuel needed tonavigate life's challenges.
Finally, prayer is often thefirst practice to go.
When we stop speaking to Godregularly, our relationship with
him suffers. Prayer is not justcommunication, it's connection.
Without it, the drift becomesinevitable. The less you
(11:07):
prioritize time with God, theeasier it becomes to justify the
distance. Want to drift fromGod?
Well, simply neglect theseessential practices, Let your
spiritual disciplines the road,and you'll find yourself far
from the anchor of your soulbefore you realize it. In a
squad, your companions determineyour mission success. Bad
(11:28):
influences can lead to failure.Surrounding yourself with people
who pull you away from Godguarantees spiritual decline. Do
not be deceived.
Bad company ruins good morals.To drift, prioritize
relationships that cater toconvenience over conviction.
Seek out individuals who dismissGod's guidance, indulge in
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negative behaviors, or encourageyou to compromise your faith.
These connections act likegravitational forces pulling you
off course slowly. The Biblefrequently warns of dangers
posed by ungodly associations.
This is especially true inProverbs 13/20, which adds,
(12:10):
whoever walks with the wisebecomes wise, but the companion
of fools will suffer harm. Haveyou ever remembered your youth,
for those of you who are alittle bit older and a little
bit wiser? Think about that. Whoyou walk alongside shapes your
journey? If your companionschoose paths contrary to God,
(12:31):
their influence will steer youaway from him.
Again, drifting from God'spretty much, you know, going
ahead and avoiding those whochallenge your growth or hold
you accountable. And you willinstead find comfort in
relationships that reaffirm yourworldly priorities or shield you
from uncomfortable truths. Whenyour closest circle normalizes
(12:53):
spiritual neglect, driftingbecomes second nature. If you
really want to ensure you're offcourse, let toxic friendships
dominate. Ignore those whoencourage godlessness or spur
you towards good work.
Let peer pressure guide youractions and adopt the values of
those who lack reverence forGod. In doing so, you'll
solidify your drift. Like anadventure surrounded by the
(13:16):
wrong crew, your spiritualmission becomes compromised when
your squad values selfishpursuits over divine purpose.
Choose your allies wisely. Yourorbit and your trajectory really
does depend on it.
Sin often looks appealing, butit's a trap that ensnares us and
pulls us off course. Temptationdoesn't come with warning lights
(13:40):
or sirens. It sneaks in. Dressas something desirable or even
harmless. Think of the m 113monster from Star Trek.
And in doing so, it's making iteasier to justify any of our
choices. But each person istempted when he is lured and
enticed by his own desire. Thendesire, when it has conceived,
(14:05):
gives birth to sin. And sin,when it is fully grown, brings
forth death. To drift, let yourdesires lead you without
question.
Temptation thrives in ourwillingness to rationalize. Have
you ever said to yourself, oh,just one more time or no one
will know. These smallcompromises paves the way for
(14:26):
sin to take root and grow. Sinis like a parasite. It feeds on
secrecy.
The more we hide it, thestronger it becomes. Instead of
confronting it, we often bury itdeeper, hoping it'll resolve
itself. But unaddressed sin onlygrows, eventually, leading to
(14:46):
spiritual death. A state ofseparation from God's presence
and peace. Temptation alsothrives in isolation.
When we distance ourselves fromaccountability, whether through
godly friends, community, ormentors, we make it easier to
give in. Without the light ofaccountability, temptation
flourishes in the shadows. Ifyou want to ensure spiritual
(15:10):
drift, continue to rationalizeand hide your sins. Avoid
confession and repentance. Letguilt and shame build walls
between you and god.
Over time, these barriers willfeel insurmountable, pushing you
further away from him. Andremember, sin offers fleeting
pleasure, but long termconsequences. Like a trap,
(15:32):
baited, enticing, but ultimatelydestructive. And the best way to
drift? Stop fighting it.
Let it drag you along, uncheckeduntil it controls your direction
entirely. When the pursuit ofmaterial things and worldly
pleasures overtakes our love forGod, we drift further into
spiritual darkness. It's asubtle shift that begins with
(15:54):
the things of this world startto occupy the throne of our
heart, a place that belongs toGod alone. Do not love the world
or the things in the world. Ifanyone loves the world, the love
of the father is not in him.
To drift, prioritize temporarysatisfaction over eternal joy.
(16:15):
Face after well, pain, andstatus as if they hold the key
to fulfillment. I know severalpeople and probably you do too,
a lot of celebrities.Definitely. Convince yourself
that if you just had more, youknow, like more money, more
recognition, more possessions,then you'd be content.
(16:36):
The deception lies in the ideathat these worldly pursuits can
satisfy the deep longing of yoursoul. As Jesus warned in Matthew
619 through 21, do not lay upfor yourselves treasures on
earth, where moth and rustdestroy, and where thieves break
in and steal. But lay up or arefor yourselves treasures in
(16:59):
heaven, where neither the mothnor rust destroys, and where
thieves do not break in andsteal. For where your treasure
is, there your heart will bealso. To love this world more
than God means giving your heartto what fades, trusts, and
ultimately perishes.
It's being consumed bycomparisons, scrolling through
(17:22):
social media, and envying whatothers have. It's letting
hobbies or career ambitionsconsume your time, energy, and
identity while leaving littleroom for god. Don't get me
wrong. Gaming is great. Cosplayis fine.
Watching man reading manga andwatching anime is great. But if
those are more important thanyour time with God, you know,
(17:44):
you're gonna drift away fairlyquickly. Like I said, when the
love when you love the worldmore, worship just becomes
hollow. You may sing the songs,but your heart is chasing
something else. The Biblebecomes an afterthought, a relic
of a faith you once prioritize.
Relationships with godly peoplebecome burdensome, because they
(18:07):
remind you of what you'veabandoned. Now, to ensure a full
drift, immerse yourself inmaterialism, and let it dedicate
and dictate your values. Obsessover appearance, idolize
success, and measure your worthby the standards of this world.
So you'll find yourself fartherfrom God and more deeply
(18:29):
entrenched in the emptiness ofwhat this world offers.
Pretending to be close to Godwhile your heart is far from him
is the ultimate form ofspiritual drift.
You may outwardly appear devout,but inwardly, you're
disconnected. And the Lord said,because this people draw near
with their mouth and honor mewith their lips, all their
(18:50):
hearts are far from me. Andtheir fear of me is a
commandment taught by men. Todrift, learn the art of looking
the part without living thetruth. Attend services rarely,
but let your heart staydisengaged.
Sing worship songs withenthusiasm, but don't allow the
lyrics to challenge or transformyou. Know the language of faith,
(19:12):
sprinkling in amen and god isgood at the right moments, while
avoiding the genuine surrenderthat faith demands. Faking it
can become second nature. Itprovides the comfort of
appearing spiritually healthywhile masking the emptiness
within. Over time, the facadecan become so convincing that
(19:32):
even you might believe it.
But, beneath the surface,there's no real connection to
God. Just hollow rituals andunfulfilled longing. The danger
of faking it is that it numbsyou to your own spiritual state.
Instead of seekingtransformation, you settle for
performance. Rather thanaddressing areas of weakness, we
(19:54):
cover them with a veneer ofpiety.
The result? A heart that dressfurther from God, hidden behind
a mask of religiosity. If youwant to ensure spiritual drift,
keep up appearances whileneglecting author authenticity.
Excuse me. Let your spirituallife become a show, a carefully
(20:14):
curated image that hides a lackof real intimacy with God.
But remember, God sees beyondthe surface. He desires a heart
that's genuine, not aperformance that's polished.
When we recognize the drift,there's hope. God's grace calls
us back to him. But I have thisagainst you, that you have
(20:35):
abandoned the love you had atfirst.
Remember, therefore, from whereyou have fallen, repent, and do
the works you did at first. Ifnot, it will come to you and
remove your lampstand from itsplace, unless you repent.
Returning to God begins withacknowledging the distance. It
requires honest reflectionasking, where did I start to
(20:58):
drift? What led me away?
Like a navigator charting a newcourse, we must identify the
point of deviation to realignourselves with God. Repentance
is more than just feeling sorry.It's a decisive turn back to
God, away from the distractionstemptations or routines that
(21:18):
have drawn us away. The word,repent. Repent in its original
context means to change one'smind and direction.
It's an active intentionalshift, a choice to move back
towards the one who never movedaway from us. To rekindle our
first love, we must do thethings we did at first. Think
(21:38):
back to when your faith wasvibrant and alive. What
practices brought you close toGod? Was it spending unhurried
time in his word, pouring yourheart out in prayer, serving
others selflessly?
These actions weren't mereduties. They were expressions of
a love filled relationship.Start small, but stay
(21:59):
consistent. Open your Bible, notout of obligation, but with the
anticipation. Set aside momentsin your day to reconnect with
through prayer, not just ask,but to listen.
I do this every morning andevery night. What before you
know, right when I wake up,first thing I do is is give
myself prayer to God, and thenusually takes about 5 to 10
(22:21):
minutes. And then I can go aboutmy day. And before bed, I just
sit down, relax, have aconversation with God, say, hey.
This is what happened.
This is how how I feel rightnow. I don't think I
accomplished or I hey. Iaccomplished major stuff today.
Those type of things are reallygreat for prayer because that's
the communication, but when Godspeaks to you, you need to
(22:43):
listen during your prayer time.Another way is rejoin a
community of believers who willengage and challenge you.
As you take these steps, theembers of your faith will begin
to glow once more. Now remember,God's love hasn't wavered. He's
like the father in the story ofthe prodigal son, waiting with
open arms to welcome us home.His grace isn't conditional on
(23:07):
how far we've drifted. It'salways sufficient to bring us
back.
To return to your first love isto experience renewal. A revival
of the joy, passion, and peacethat came from walking closely
with God. It's not aboutperfection. Connection. As you
draw near to him, you'll findhe's already there, ready to
(23:29):
embrace you and lead youforward.
Like a spacecraft realigningwith its destination, we must
fix our gaze on Jesus. If you'vedrifted, remember, God hasn't
moved. Just like mister Scottand Star Trek through Scott with
Spock Prime, realizing that thestarship does not move, but
(23:50):
space style does. God is thatspaceship. We are the ones in
motion, and he's waiting withopen arms ready to restore and
renew, not just me, but you aswell.
Let's heed the warning signals.Let's pray careful attention to
what we've heard. Let's notdrift, but instead draw near to
God who calls us to life,purpose, and hope. Let us then
(24:15):
with confidence draw near to thethrone of grace that we may
receive mercy and find grace tohelp in time of need. So suit up
fellow adventurers and alignyour hearts with the eternal
navigator.
God's word is your compass.Prayer is your communication.
The spirit is your guide. Staythe course and finish well.
Greater Guild Announcer (24:40):
Thank you for joining us on the
Greater Guild loading screen. Iftoday's message inspired you,
challenged you, or made youthink differently about your
journey with God, we'd love tohear from you. Don't forget to
subscribe, leave a review, andshare this episode with your
guildmates. Remember, theadventure doesn't stop here.
Stay connected with the GreaterGuild Church on all your
(25:02):
favorite platforms.
Until next time, may your faithstay strong, your heart stay
true, and your path stay alignedwith the ultimate navigator. See
you in the next chapter.
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