Intentional Living: Cultivating a Genuine Relationship with God

Living for God is not just about showing up to church or participating in religious activities; it’s about maintaining a right spirit and a genuine relationship with the Lord. Each day, we are in a spiritual battle, and the enemy is constantly working to draw us away from God, often in subtle ways. Our spiritual state is never static—we are either moving closer to God or drifting away. The story of Demas, who once served faithfully alongside Paul but later abandoned him for the world, is a sobering reminder that no one is immune to spiritual decline. Our choices, our time in prayer, and our willingness to let God examine our hearts determine whether we remain strong in Christ or begin to slip.

Relationships, whether with God or with others, require intentional effort and humility. Just as marriages can start with passion but deteriorate without real love and forgiveness, so too can our walk with God become cold if we neglect it. The enemy often sows seeds of misunderstanding, offense, and pride, causing us to misinterpret others’ actions or God’s intentions. When our spirit is not right, we become easily offended, quick to argue, and slow to forgive. The solution is not to blame others or rely on our past spiritual victories, but to continually seek God, examine ourselves, and let go of pride and sin.

God calls us to a life of growth, surrender, and honest self-examination. It’s not enough to do good works or maintain an outward appearance of faithfulness; what matters is the condition of our heart. When we find ourselves losing joy, becoming critical, or slipping back into old habits, it’s a sign that we need to return to the altar, let go of what’s holding us back, and allow God to renew our spirit. The Lord is ready to bless, heal, and restore, but we must be willing to let go and give Him our all. True spiritual maturity is marked by a soft heart, a willingness to be corrected, and a commitment to keep moving forward in Christ, no matter the opposition or temptation.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Spiritual Progress Is Intentional, Not Automatic Every day, we are either drawing closer to God or drifting away. Spiritual stagnation is a myth; the enemy is always at work, and we must be vigilant in prayer and self-examination. Our relationship with God requires daily investment, not just occasional attention. [48:29]
• 2. The Condition of Your Spirit Determines Your Walk It’s not enough to have a history of faithfulness or good works; what matters is the current state of your heart. An excellent spirit is marked by intimacy with God, humility, and a willingness to forgive, while a carnal spirit is easily offended and quick to blame others. Regularly ask God to reveal the true condition of your spirit. [49:24]
• 3. Relationships Reflect Spiritual Realities Just as marriages can deteriorate when love is replaced by criticism and unforgiveness, so can our relationship with God suffer when we allow offense, pride, or neglect to take root. The enemy uses misunderstandings and perceived slights to sow division—both in our homes and in our walk with God. True love and spiritual health require ongoing effort, humility, and grace. [61:36]
• 4. Letting Go of Pride and Sin Is Essential for Growth Pride blinds us to our own faults and keeps us from receiving correction. Spiritual maturity means being willing to admit when we’re wrong, to let go of excuses, and to surrender fully to God’s will. When we justify our sin or blame others, we hinder God’s work in our lives; humility opens the door to transformation. [74:39]
• 5. A Tender Heart Is a Sign of Spiritual Health When sin no longer bothers us, or when we become comfortable with spiritual coldness, it’s a warning sign that we are slipping. God desires that our hearts remain soft and responsive to His conviction. Regular time at the altar, honest prayer, and a willingness to let go of anything that separates us from God are vital to maintaining a right spirit. [81:52]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [44:32] - Living for God: More Than Attendance
• [45:49] - The Importance of Prayer and Daily Connection
• [47:18] - Maintaining a Right Spirit
• [48:29] - The Battle for Your Soul
• [49:24] - Spiritual Change: Drawing Closer or Drifting Away
• [54:56] - God’s Design for Relationships
• [56:05] - The Purpose and Pitfalls of Marriage
• [57:34] - The Enemy’s Attack on Relationships
• [59:01] - Real Love vs. Surface Affection
• [61:36] - The Devil’s Tactics in Marriage and Faith
• [65:12] - Recognizing the Enemy’s Lies
• [68:06] - Giving Earnest Heed: Guarding Against Spiritual Slippage
• [73:34] - Letting Go of Pride and Excuses
• [76:40] - Making a Clear Decision for God
• [79:40] - Surrender and God’s Blessing
• [81:52] - Signs of Slipping and the Need for a Tender Heart
• [84:13] - Prayer and Worship: Seeking Renewal
• [90:36] - Commitment and Invitation to Prayer
• [92:43] - Offering, Announcements, and Closing

Bible Reading

2 Timothy 4:10 (ESV) — > For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Colossians 4:14 (ESV) — > Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

Genesis 2:21-24 (ESV) — > So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Observation Questions

1. What happened to Demas, and how does Paul describe his change in 2 Timothy 4:10? ([47:18])
2. In Colossians 4:14, how is Demas described, and what does this show about his earlier relationship with Paul? ([48:29])
3. According to Genesis 2:21-24, what was God’s original purpose for creating the relationship between Adam and Eve? ([54:56])
4. In the sermon, what are some signs that a person’s spirit is not right or is starting to slip away from God? ([01:21:52])

Interpretation Questions

1. What does the story of Demas teach about the dangers of spiritual decline, even for those who once served God faithfully? ([48:29])
2. How does the condition of our spirit affect our relationships with others and with God, according to the sermon? ([01:01:36])
3. Why is it not enough to rely on past spiritual victories or good works to maintain a right relationship with God? ([49:24])
4. The sermon mentions that pride can keep us from receiving correction. Why is humility so important for spiritual growth? ([01:14:39])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says we are either moving closer to God or drifting away—there’s no standing still. Looking at your own life, are there areas where you feel you’ve been drifting? What is one step you can take this week to move closer to God? ([48:29])
2. When was the last time you honestly examined your own heart and asked God to show you the true condition of your spirit? What did you discover, and how did you respond? ([49:24])
3. Think about your closest relationships (spouse, family, friends). Are there any places where misunderstanding, offense, or pride have crept in? What would it look like to intentionally show humility or forgiveness in those situations? ([01:01:36])
4. The sermon warns against blaming others or making excuses for our spiritual state. Is there an area where you’ve been making excuses or blaming someone else for your struggles with God? What would it look like to take responsibility and surrender that to God? ([01:14:39])
5. The pastor said that when sin no longer bothers us, it’s a warning sign. Is there something in your life that used to bother you but now feels “normal”? How can you bring that to God and ask Him to renew your heart? ([01:21:52])
6. The message emphasized the importance of daily prayer and connection with God. What is one practical way you can make prayer a more regular part of your daily routine this week? ([45:49])
7. The sermon talked about letting go of pride and being willing to be corrected. Can you think of a recent time when someone tried to correct you? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time? ([01:14:39])