There are a number of things among “us” today which serve as indicators of declining spirituality. We notice only two of these in this short article.

The apostle to the Gentiles gives a very vivid contrast between those who are fleshly and those who are spiritual in Romans 8:1-9. He says, “for they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit” (v. 5). The apostle shows that it is all in the mind, and from there springs action of being “in the flesh,” or “in the spirit.” He says, “they that are in the flesh (mind the things of the flesh) cannot please God” (v. 8). Therefore, we must follow the mind of the spirit to maintain our spirituality. Otherwise, we lose it by following the mind of the flesh, and this results when we begin to practice again those things which are not spiritual. In other words, our mind set (direction of the heart) must be continually on things of the spirit, and some conditions today which are very evident, indicate otherwise.

Churches that are just “keeping house.” We have observed over the years how many churches have grown and prospered to the extent of filling their meeting houses, and converting people to Christ, and doing a good work for His cause. But, now it is different! Many of these same churches today are barely able to “keep the doors open,” and some have already closed the doors. In the area of the country where I reside, it would require the merger of four or five of these small churches to comprise one that would be able to do a good work for the cause of Christ. However, merger of these small churches into one prosperous, working church is out of the question. The elderly people of these small churches (These are about all that are left in these churches.) will not leave. The attitude is, “I have been here all my life, and intend to stay until I die.” And, with this attitude, the church is dying. Beloved, we can see clearly that in such cases, brethren are “minding the things of the flesh, and not the things of the spirit.” Between their time of prosperity and the present state, something happened to allow this deterioration. Was it not losing spirituality? Outside power or sources do not cause churches to die, and numbers do not cause churches to live. Spirituality is the answer.

Casual Dress. Another matter which bears upon our problem is the way some are presenting themselves to God in the worship services; the casual, sloppy way some are dressing for worship. Now, I know there is no dress code enjoined upon God’s people in the Scriptures, but what about the principle of “dressing for the occasion,” and recognizing things that are important to us? When I observe elders, preachers, deacons, and members in general wearing T-shirts, with worldly logos and old blue jeans, and young ladies in shorts; brethren, it seems to me that something is terribly wrong with our sense of values, and surely we need to get our priorities straightened out. If the present trend continues, what will the church of our Lord look like twenty years down the road? You know! It will resemble a house full of bums. Brethren, is this not an indicator that many today are losing their spirituality? I believe so! Let us place the doing of God’s will, and that in the best way we can, as our number one priority.