Recycled

Just as you can tell when your physical health is failing, there are symptoms or danger signals which warn us that things aren't as they ought to be! J. Curtis Manor lists ten warnings signals to watch for in regard to backsliding.

Lack of time for Bible study, church assemblies or Christian service.

Devoting of more time to reading newspapers or novels than the Bible.

Preference for the company of the irreligious to that of Christians.

Looking for reasons to justify something you have already done or decided to do.

Evaluating the sermon more by its length than by its content.

Becoming more prone to illness on Sunday than on other days of the week!

Stretching one week's excuse to cover two or more weeks of absence from church.

Thinking of the church in terms of "they" rather than "we."

Reaction to sorrow, doubts or personal problems by avoiding Christian association which might help to resolve them.

Resentment toward being visited by representatives of the church.

These danger signals are early symptoms of the various aspects and developmental phases of worldliness, a malignity far more deadly than cancer. Early diagnosis and intensive treatment are of the utmost importance. Should any of these warning signals be detected, it should receive immediate attention.

This stubborn ailment has been known to respond favorably to massive ingestion of Bible study, combined with regular and sustained attendance at worship assemblies and committed involvement in teaching, visitation and personal service, supplemented by increased exercise of prayer and sacrifice.