What comes first When a Person Strays?

When we take on worldly values we lose our interest in God and our understanding of sin...

While studying the Old Testament kings, I found this quote:
"lawbreaking was the result, not the cause, of estrangement from God. The kings abandoned God in their hearts first and then failed to keep his laws. When we close our heart to God, his power and presence soon leave us."*

When we fail God, we feel the Spirit's conviction and repent. That's because our hearts are still seeking God.

But we can lose our ability to discern God's will by:

• Focusing on worldly goals (1 John 2:15-17).

• Condemning sin in others but excusing it in ourselves (Matthew 7:3-5).
• Refusing correction (Proverbs 15:32).

Once we lose interest in seeking and serving God, we gradually lose our ability to recognize sin in ourselves (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

Take time today to ask God if you've distanced yourself from Him in any area of your life. If so, repent and seek Him with all your ♥.
*The Best of the Bible, Tyndale House, 1996, p.160