30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.   Proverbs 24:30-34

A. Paths toward loss of first love for God and people

1. Allowance of Spiritual Neglect –  Proverbs 24:30-34

– Neglect of spiritual watchfulness: Matt. 26:36-41, Matt. 24:42-44, Prov. 22:3, 1 Tim. 4:16

– Neglect of spiritual disciplines: Acts 2:42, Hebrews 10:23-25

– Neglect of biblically renewing our minds: Rom. 12:1-2, 1 Cor. 14:14-15, Eph. 4:17-24, Phil. 2:1-5

Today

2. Mishandling of the Word of God

– Forgetting the purpose of the Word: John 5:39, Luke 24:25-27, 1 John 1:1-4

– Hearing the Word without intentional application of the Word: Matt. 7:24-27, James 1:19-25, Psalm 119:4

– Reading the Word without meditating upon the Word: Psalm 119:15; 23; 48; 78; 97; 148, Psalm 1:1-2

– Failing to do self-examination by the Word: Psalm 26:2, Psalm 139:23-24, 2 Cor. 13:5