(A) DETERIORATION,a tendency of the sinful life
Isa 1:22; Jer 7:26; Jer 16:12; Eze 16:47; Ho 13:2
Lu 11:26; 2Ti 3:13; 2Pe 2:20
--SEEDross,DROSS
(B) BACKSLIDING,(Select Reading Mal 3.7-18. Gal. Gal 4)
Results of
Selfish Absorption
Pr 14:14; Isa 1:4; Jer 14:7; Ho 11:7
Religious Indifference
Mt 24:12
Unfitness for the Kingdom
Lu 9:62; Ga 1:6
Bondage to Forms
Ga 4:9
Divine Displeasure
Heb 10:38; 2Pe 2:20
Loss of Spiritual Enthusiasm
Re 2:4
--SEEApostasy,UNFAITHFULNESS
&UNFAITHFULNESS
Forsaking God,UNFAITHFULNESS
&UNFAITHFULNESS
(C) BACKSLIDERS,causes which tend to produce
Absence of Spiritual Leaders
Ex 8; 1Sa 15:11
Evil Associations
1Ki 11:4
Worldly Success
2Ch 14; Ps 78:57; Ho 6:4; Zep 1:6
Shallowness
Lu 8:13
Emptiness of Life
Lu 26
Lack of Spiritual Insight
Joh 66; 1Ti 5:15
Love of the World
2Ti 4:10
--SEEApostates,UNFAITHFULNESS
Covenant-breakers,UNFAITHFULNESS
Wanderers,ESTRANGEMENT
(D) SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT,(Select Reading, Heb 5.11-14, 6.1-16)
(E) SPIRITUAL GROWTH,Enjoined
In Fruitfulness
2Co 9:10
Unto Perfection
Heb 6:1
Through "The Word"
1Pe 2:2
By Accretion
2Pe 6
In Grace and Knowledge
2Pe 3:18
--SEEDivine Perfection,PERFECTION
(F) EXAMPLES OF GROWTH
The boy Samuel
1Sa 2:26
John the Baptist
Lu 1:80
The Boy Christ
Lu 52
Paul
Ac 9:22
The Thessalonians
2Th 1:3
(G) SPIRITUAL MATURITY,how Secured
By Putting away Childish Things
1Co 13:11
By Cultivating the Understanding
1Co 14:20
By Striving after the Christ Ideal
Eph 15
By Partaking of the Deeper Truths of the Gospel
Heb 5:14
By Overcoming Temptation
1Jo 2:14
--SEE"Be Strong",BATTLE OF LIFE
(H) SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY
Inability to Receive Strong Doctrine
1Co 2; 1Co 14:20
Necessity for Tutelage
Ga 3
Instability of Faith
Eph 4:14
Continuance in the Primary Department
Heb 5:12; 1Pe 2:2
(I) SPIRITUAL PROGRESS
(1)A Characteristic of the Righteous
Job 17:9; Ps 84:7; Ps 92:12; Pr 4:18; 2Co 3:18; 1Ti 4:15
--SEEChrist's Perfection,PERFECTION
(I) SPIRITUAL PROGRESS
(2) The Larger Life
2Sa 22:37; 1Ki 4:29; 1Ch 4:10; Ps 18:36; Ps 118:5; Isa 54:2
Joh 10:10; 2Co 6:11; Eph 19