What Is Wrong? - Part 2

The topic under consideration is this: What about those times in life when it seems that spiritual growth has stagnated or is struggling? When the believer struggles to have victory and conquer temptation? When the Christian cannot currently describe his relationship with God as being alive, vibrant, successful, and passionate? Perhaps the most troubling aspect of such times is when the Christian senses this apparent decline or coldness and is at loss to explain it. In frustration with his seeming failures and the inability to understand them, he may cry out, "What is wrong with me?"

In the previous post, we looked at the possibility of sin or rebellion in the life. In many cases, this is at least part of the problem, perhaps combined with carelessness in failing to give proper time to the relationship with God. These problems must be dealt with and corrected. I believe there are times, however, when a discouraged believer can sincerely examine his heart and not find sin or neglect as the reason. Either he is unaware of any such barrier, or, having become aware of one, he has resolved it. In these dull and disappointing times in the Christian experience, there are other factors that can sometimes contribute to a lackluster relationship.

The problem could be rooted at least partially in ignorance. This could include sin of which one is unaware. I am not referring here to deliberate or willful sin, but rather sin that exists due to limited understanding. New believers in particular might be involved in certain things without yet having the spiritual discretion to recognize them as damaging to their spiritual sensitivity. Perhaps a believer does not recognize a thought process as wrong, when in reality it exhibits a failure to humbly submit to God. Someone could be holding on to an area of life or making a particular decision with the earnest belief that it is right, perhaps even giving what seem to be spiritual arguments to support his position; in reality, he may be using flawed human thinking. In these cases the believer is not trying to do wrong and may, in fact, be trying to do right. Because of what he does not know, however, he is actually working against himself.

God is not cruel to hold things over our heads when we are earnest but ignorant. In other words, He doesn't sit in heaven saying, "That guy is messing up because he doesn't know any better. I'm going to let him become mired down in his own stupidity." God is patient and gracious, and He loves to see a heart that desires Him. It is also true, however, that flawed, immature thinking and undiscerning choices have an effect on the believer. The simple reality is that they hold him on a restricted level. Wrong friendships, for example, could drag a believer down. The same could be true for music, entertainment, habits, thought processes, and much more - all of which have been so ingrained into the person that up to this point in his life they are all he knows. Until he learns differently as a Christian, those damaging influences can weigh him down.

Ignorance is not limited only to the area of sin. Just as there are sins (or dangers) that we have not yet recognized as such, there are also positive actions and practices that we haven't yet learned either. As we follow God, we will constantly be learning new things that can enhance our relationship with God. We know what it is like to break into a new realm of blessing by learning a spiritual lesson; before we learned it, there was something missing, and consequently, growth was impeded. One day, however, we heard the right sermon, read the right verse, or heard the right testimony that brought new light and increased understanding. As we made the appropriate decision or adjustment, we began to experience blessing that was not available to us before.

This may seem like a frustrating answer. If our spiritual walk is suffering because of something we don't know, how are we supposed to know it? The answer is to seek God with a tender heart, asking Him to reveal these stumbling blocks to us. God will show us these things as we continue to expose ourselves to Him and His truth. In His gentleness, God will prepare us to receive His answer, and He will reveal the answer at the right time for our hearts to receive it and prosper from it.

In this area of ignorance, there are two helpful questions to ask of God. First, is there something that I am doing that I should not be doing that is hindering my spiritual progress? Second, is there something that I should know that I don't know that would advance my spiritual progress? These two prayers are expressed biblically below.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)

"Make me know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day." Psalm 25:4-5 (NASB)