I had an experience in Church sometime ago. Normally, I quote scriptures offhand in the midst of my teachings. But for a few services, I discovered I was not quoting as accurately as I should; I was mixing up the chapters and verses, and sometimes, the books! It continued for a few services. I had to tell myself; “Something is wrong somewhere”. I needed a spiritual checkup.

Friend, you need to monitor your spiritual health. If you don’t take care of you, nobody else would (2 Corinthians 13:5). We are in an age where it is very easy to continue life without checking your spiritual health (Mark 6:31). Powerful preachings can be deceptive. Breakthroughs in life and business are not proofs of intimacy with God. Public accolades must not be mistaken for divine approval.

“Strangers have devoured his strength, and he doesn’t realize it…” (Hosea 7:9). Spiritual sickness is always subtle. If you don’t pick the signs and symptoms on time, it may degenerate into a spiritual emergency. Just as there is no sudden rise, there is no sudden fall; it is always gradual. A leak is not always obvious until the whole content is gone (Judges 16:20).

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…” (Isaiah 40:31). When an eagle can no longer hunt with accuracy, it’s time for a retreat. When it keeps missing the target, it knows it’s not just about going hungry but about losing out entirely. The eagle is wise enough to go for personal retreat. What about you? Are you explaining away your lack of accuracy?

“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards…” (SOS 2:15). Another sign of spiritual sickness is when stuff that you thought you have overcome keep getting back at you. Yes, I know you have overcome anger, but these days, you have become very touchy. Things that you would normally overlook now get a toll on you. You have overcome lust, but now you cannot seem to get your eyes and heart off sexual images. It is a sign of spiritual sickness.

Always treat spiritual sicknesses as emergencies before they become one (Luke 22:31). Don’t give excuses. It is not the stress on your job that is affecting your prayer life, it is the coldness of your heart (Matthew 6:23). It is not the environment you stay that makes you vulnerable to sin, it is the weakness of your soul (Daniel 1:8). When you give excuses for spiritual laxity, you have given it permission to continue. Let God fix you before the devil finishes you (Psalms 51:10-13).

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria