Drifting Toward Destruction: The Silent Danger of Neglecting God's Word

We are consistently exhorted throughout the New Testament to watch our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. We are commanded to pay close attention—to ensure we are truly connected to the source of eternal life.

What does the enemy want more than anything for the average churchgoer?To coast. To drift. To simply exist.

The last thing Satan—or your flesh—wants is for you to be intentional in your walk with King Jesus.

Have you ever considered why it feels like such a struggle to read the Bible? Why is it that people can eagerly commit to reading entire book series like Twilight, The Lord of the Rings, or The Hobbit, yet struggle to open God’s Word or read sound theological books?

There’s a reason for that: your flesh and the devil want you to drift—to drift away from the truth that brings life, joy, and eternal satisfaction.

The writer of Hebrews gives this warning:

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”— Hebrews 2:1

If Scripture commands us to pay much closer attention so we don’t drift, what does that say about the real danger of spiritual apathy?

John MacArthur put it plainly:

“No one just wakes up apostate. It happens slowly, subtly, when people begin to neglect the truth of Christ.”

Reading your Bible might feel like a chore sometimes because the enemy knows that neglecting God’s Word leads to spiritual coldness, callousness, and eventually a slow drift toward the deadly rocks of apostasy.

So what are we to do?

We must make every effort to be vigilant in knowing, reading, and obeying God’s Word.

R.C. Sproul once said:

“We are not called to be passive recipients but active listeners and obedient followers.”

Sadly, many who fill church pews on Sundays are just that—passive recipients. Unmoved. Unengaged. Consumers instead of worshipers. We show up, if we show up at all, with half-hearted commitment to God’s Word and God’s people.

But the book of Hebrews gives a clear call:Don’t forget what you’ve been given—salvation, redemption, forgiveness.Don’t neglect the fact that Jesus has rescued you from eternal wrath and judgment and given you a blameless record.

Stay anchored. Stay alert.Devote yourself to God's Word with serious attention and obedience.

If this message reaches your timeline or your heart today, I urge you:Think. Pray. Repent where necessary.Neglecting salvation is a damning sin—even when it’s passive.

You were not meant to drift—you were meant to stand firm.Be activated, not apathetic.Be serious about your faith. Watch how you walk, how you talk, and with whom you walk and talk.

Christian—get around other Christians.Never neglect the gathering of the saints.It matters more than you know.Your eternity could depend on it.