Combatting Spiritual Stagnation

Feel Stuck?

Let’s face it, feeling stuck isn't fun. Whether that’s getting jammed in traffic, facing a roadblock on an assignment, or at a standstill in the DMV line, it’s a frustrating feeling. Even more frustrating is when we as followers of Christ feel stuck in our spiritual walk. The reality is that all of us will go through times when our relationship with God isn’t as vibrant as it once was. Moments where we feel distant, spiritually fatigued, and/or even questioning whether God is present.

So what should we do if that fire we once had for Christ has slowly dwindled away, or if we feel like we are no longer growing spiritually? Maybe you feel guilty for your stagnant relationship with God. This isn’t a unique problem – spiritual stagnation can happen to anyone. New believers and long time pastors are prone to experiencing a spiritual slump. So, how do we as followers of Christ fight against spiritual stagnation and kindle a fire within ourselves that is hungry for more of God? For those who aren’t currently experiencing a spiritual slump, how can we maintain, and grow in our desires for spiritual things?

In this article, we’ll take a look at two things that can help us fight spiritual apathy and stimulate an earnest desire for God. Regardless of how long we have been in the faith, all followers of Christ need (1) a godly community and (2) God’s Word to combat spiritual stagnation and to mature in our walk with Christ.

Community

If you read Scripture you can’t help but notice the constant emphasis on community. From the very beginning, the early church was devoted to fellowship with one another (Acts 2:42). Throughout the New Testament we see over 50 of these commands (“love one another”, “submit to one another”, “bear one another’s burdens”, etc). The expectation is that followers of Jesus would do life with one another. Not only was the early church committed to community, but this is something that God still desires from us today. The body of Christ is to function as an interconnected body – with Christ as the head (1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Ephesians 1:22-23). So, if God’s desire is for all believers to function and live together as one body, how does that help us combat spiritual stagnation? Let’s take a look at some passages in Scripture that mention the spiritual benefit of living in community:

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

In this passage we see a command for believers to continue fellowshiping with one another as the return of Christ draws near. The idea of doing life with other believers is not a suggestion but a command. Why are followers of Jesus commanded to come together? When we surround ourselves with other believers, it gives us the opportunity to mutually encourage each other in love. As believers stir up one another in love, it will also result in us doing good deeds. So being in community allows us to do life with other believers, who will stir us up in love, which will be seen practically in the good things we do for Christ. If we ignore this command, not only are we incapable of stirring up other believers, but we rob ourselves of being spiritually encouraged as well. For those going through a tough season, the love of Christlike believers will undoubtedly encourage.

We see a similar command elsewhere in Scripture:

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Paul urges believers to actively participate in the body by encouraging and edifying one another in the faith. God gave us the church so that we can grow spiritually, together. This command isn’t just for the leaders of the church, but for all members. When we do life with other Christlike believers, regardless of their position in the church, it will spiritually enrich us.

Being a part of a Christ-centered community also gives us the opportunity to confess sin and pray for one another:

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16, ESV)

When we confess our sins to God, it frees us from the weight that we are carrying. An unrepentant heart results in a number of other problems. Unrepentance can lead to bitterness, a hardened heart, anxiety, stress, and can hinder our spiritual lives. Trying to suppress our sins and push it under the rug, affects our walk with Christ. Living in a community where we can confess our sins brings forth liberation. We don’t have to go to a priest, pastor, or church leader, with discernment we can go to a trusted follower of Christ who can hear our burdens and encourage us through prayer:

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2, ESV)

Not only does community allow us to open up and be vulnerable, but it enables others to step in and call us out when necessary. When we live openly in Christian community, we are blessed to have others who can correct us when we drift into sin. At the moment it might sound like they are intruding on your privacy, but the truth is that they are caring for your soul. It’s those who are willing to speak up and confront us when we sin that truly love us. 

Through these verses, we see the importance of community and how it plays a role in our spiritual lives. It’s not just difficult, but it’s impossible to neglect community and experience the fullness of what God desires for us to experience with others. Surrounding ourselves with Christlike brothers and sisters will help us fight against spiritual stagnation and draw closer to God.

God’s Word

In addition to community, another weapon to fight against spiritual stagnation is God’s Word. Scripture is not a feel-good novel or a self-help book. In the book of Hebrews we see a description of God’s Word.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

The Bible is alive and the gospel message changes lives. The Word of God is capable of completely dismantling even the hardest of hearts. Nothing can withstand the power and life found in Scripture. The Bible’s power is seen by the fact that it always accomplishes what it was set to do. So if you feel dead inside, God’s Word has the power to revive you.

Not only does God’s Word revive us, but it guards us from sin.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9, ESV)

As mentioned above when talking about community, sin often contributes to spiritual stagnation. 

God’s Word helps us discern the standard for purity and teaches us how to rely on the Holy Spirit for power to resist temptation. As we indulge in God's Word, our heart changes, and so too our desires. 

Beholding the Beauty of God

Spiritual growth begins to stall when our awe of God begins to fade. The underlying issue of feeling stuck spiritually is when we lose sight of His majesty. Maybe it’s something concealing us from seeing God truly according to his Word, or maybe our eyes have strayed away from the creator to something in his creation. There are many reasons why this happens, but two ways we can refocus our attention and gaze upon the beauty of God is through godly community and His Word.

We read Scripture to behold the beauty of God. As we are left in awe, we grow out of spiritual stagnation. And what better way to study God’s Word than in community?

Not only has God given us the Bible but he has also given us other believers to do life with. “Barna research shows that 56 percent of U.S. Christian adults view their spiritual lives as entirely private.” Our individualist culture advocates figuring things out ourselves, but Scripture commands us to grow together. The false perception that we can isolate ourselves from community because we have our Bible and God, is a deceitful false teaching that directly contradicts Scripture.

As we experience God’s design for community and meditate more on the beauty of God’s Word, we can fight spiritual stagnation more effectively. It’s when people are deceived into thinking isolation is compatible with growing in our relationship with Jesus, that people stray away spiritually. God’s design is good. He knew what he was doing when he gave us Scripture and the body of believers to do life with. So instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, let us cling to these two means of grace that we’ve been given.

Devoted or Devoid?

For us today, let us examine our level of commitment to our local church community. Are we devoted to the fellowship of believers and stirring up others? Or are we isolating ourselves, trying to grow healthy without connecting with the rest of the body? What is our perception of God’s Word? Do we see it as a sword that is able to pierce through even the hardest of hearts? Have we lost the awestruck wonder we once had of God? How can we be more committed this month to our local church and to reading God’s Word?