Slipping Away From God

Slipping away from God is a constant danger for teens in God’s Church. We should stay alert that we don’t slip!

There are times when we are tempted by our own desires and there are times when this life is a test of our faith. The Bible reveals that Jesus Christ faced a major temptation early in His ministry: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Matthew 4:1-3).

Jesus was tempted the same as we are, and He is our example of how to resist temptations and keep them from gaining control over us. We must not put ourselves in a position of slipping away from God.

In public

When we are at school with friends, when we’re with family or when we think no one is looking, we should keep our actions right before God and men. We are instructed to have our “conduct honorable among the Gentiles [those in the world], that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego are excellent examples of people who were faithful to God in public and in private. Teens in God’s Church should be very conscious that they set a good example at school and around their friends outside the Church.

In our minds

We also have to guard our minds to keep from thinking ungodly thoughts. The Bible tells us to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). We can do that by being very selective of the music we listen to, the movies and television shows we watch and the video games we play. Media can lead us away from God.

The Bible warns: “Beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Peter 3:17). There are a number of ways that can happen. It is important that we regularly immerse our minds in God’s Word, stay connected with the Church of God and maintain positive relationships with godly peers.

How to gain control when slipping

There will be tests and trials in our lives, and we will make mistakes. But we cannot give up! We have to remember that we are called to a life of greatness, and our ultimate goal is worth any price. The best way to keep from slipping is to constantly “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).  

It is worth it!

Rebecca Slaughter is 16 years old and is a sophomore in high school. Next year she will attend college part-time to study nursing. She attends the Cincinnati, Ohio, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.