Spiritual suicide

     Spiritual suicide is something very few people talk about much less admit exists.  Suicide anything is almost taboo in our society.  But spiritual suicide is something that we just pretend doesn't exist.  Why is that?  Because the effects of our actions can't be readily seen nor addressed.  We cannot, however we try, see inside of others hearts and minds.  We can see the warning signs which aren't that different from the act of physical suicide.  People either think Christians have it all together, are blessed and happy; or they think we are a deceived people who will find out the cruel truth when we die.  I admit that generalizing the opposite ends of this paradigm is over simplifying the issue.  Bear with me as I address the issue at hand.
     Psalm 1:1 has the blueprint of spiritual suicide.  There are three easy steps to take to reach the goal.  What is important is the state we are in BEFORE we begin these three steps.  The believer is focused on Jesus and the kingdom he has brought into our midst. The believer is encouraged by the body of believers and well received at potlucks!  The believer is content in his or her level of belief.  There is the beginning of the problem.  We are not called to be "content" in our seeking God all of our lives.  In my book, I titled one chapter "A State of Positive Discontent."  This is where we should try to be every day of our lives.  We love God, are blessed with all that we have, and we desire more of God in our everyday life and the lives of those around us.  When we become "content" we begin to drift away from this "state of positive discontent." 
     There are three steps to our spiritual suicide.  They are addressed in the following way:  Psalm 1:1: First, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked."  When we take our eyes off God and put them on the world and mankind we begin to walk in the counsel of the wicked.  We may not adhere to the worlds belief but we don't stand up against it either.  We are content to let others believe what they may and expect the same back to us.  The second:  "Or stands in the way of sinners."  As we begin to let our intolerance (Biblical), we begin to tolerate not only the sin of others but we don't do anything about those who are perishing.  Our sense of "mission" begins to go away and the souls of man don't seem to matter much.  Everyman for himself/herself.  The third step is:  "Or sits in the seats of mockers."  In this final stage we stand in judgement against those who stand for the faith.  The faithful are no longer faithful to God or to their brothers and sisters in the faith.  Where once there was love and fellowship there is now dissension and discord.  The unity of the body of believers is corrupted and disintegrated.  People begin to live for themselves and the will of God means little or nothing.  At this stage we abandon God and spiritual suicide has taken place.
     The believer has the advantage of returning like the prodigal son.  The love and forgiveness of God awaits and where we have killed our spiritual lives God is able to give us a new life in Him.  Where are you?  Where do you want to be?  There is help.  Don't commit spiritual suicide.