A third indication of declension in the Christian life is a devotion to the world.  “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.”  Covetousness is idolatry.  Christians are solemnly enjoined to set their affections on things above, and to lay up treasures in heaven.  But look at yonder professed disciple.  See how inordinately anxious he is about gain.  He is giving all his thoughts and time to business.  He enlarges his plans and extends his views.  He suffers the hours of worldly business to encroach upon the time which should be spent in secret or in family worship or in the social prayer.  He forgets that he has no right to do this, and that he can not, without sin, permit the claims of earth to crowd out the claims of God and his own immortal nature.  Look, too, at his compliance with the tastes and maxims of worldly people.  He appears to feel it is not best to be strict in his adhesion to his principles.  He doubts if there is any harm in this or that or the other worldly indulgence.  He does not see the need of being so strenuous about little things.  He is anxious to please everybody and can not bear to thwart the wishes of the worldly-minded.  If the world dislikes any of the doctrines or the duties of religion he would have little said about them.  In a word, he is all things to all men, in a very different sense from what Paul meant.  In his sentiments, his associations, his pleasures, his mode of doing business, his conversation, his whole character, there is far too little that evinces strength of holy principle and godliness.  O reader, has your case been described?  You are then a backslider from the God whom you covenanted to serve.

A fourth sign of a state of declension in spirituality is an unwillingness to receive Christian counsel or reproof.  The Spirit of Christ is a tender, gentle, docile Spirit.  When the heart of the disciple is full of holy affection he feels that he is frail and insufficient.  He seeks wisdom and strength from above and is thankful for the kind suggestions of those whose experience and opportunities have been greater than his own.  If he errs and is admonished by some faithful Christian brother, he receives it meekly and with a thankful spirit.  “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness,” is the language of his heart.  Even though reproof in itself be painful, he would not that it should be omitted when he has been in fault, for he dreads nothing so much as doing wrong—­as sinning against God and his own soul.

But the spirit that departs from God and duty is a self-willed spirit.  It is impatient of restraint.  It is irritable and captious instead of meek and willing to be taught.  It can not brook any crossing of its views, but esteems advice impertinent and meets admonition with resentment.  When he exhibits such a temper of mind; when he disregards the opinions and feelings of fellow Christians; when he affects independence and prides himself on doing as he pleases;