2. List of “Early warning signs” Examinations & Check-ups Early Detection Important

3. Must get it before it gets a hold on us James 1:14,15 Get it before it gets beyond curing 1 Timothy 4:2 2 Peter 2:14

4. Dangers Relating to Authority Finding yourself resenting Biblical restrictions & requirements Finding yourself justifying views & actions by something other than Bible authority like: What good & beloved people think about it 1 Corinthians 2:4,5 What we feel about it rather than based on Bible Proverbs 14:12

5. Dangers Relating to Authority Finding yourself justifying views & actions by something other than Bible authority like: What we feel about it rather than based on Bible Proverbs 14:12 What is popularly accepted or endorsed 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

6. Dangers Relating to People Finding it harder & harder to resist peer pressure - Matthew 14:9 Finding yourself feeling more & more neglected by brethren - Matthew 20:28 Finding yourself critical of the church- looking for excuse to quit Finding yourself more concerned with personal rights than feelings of brethren – 1 Corinthians Chapters 8,9

7. Dangers Relating to Preferences Preferring constant company of worldly minded over spiritually minded Preferring secular activities over spiritual exercise When our only real joy comes from non- spiritual activities Any spiritual exercise becomes a burden

8. Dangers Relating to Time Finding it harder to find time for spiritual exercise- public/private Finding more time consumed by affairs of this life - 2 Timothy 2:4 Even “Innocent pleasures” 2 Timothy 3:4 Even “necessities” of this life- Matthew 6:30,33 Finding yourself wanting to rush through worship to get on to something else

9. Dangers Relating to Conscience Finding yourself constantly arguing with your conscience Talking yourself into partaking in doubtful practices – Romans 14:23 Talking yourself out of known duties Finding yourself constantly on the defensive

10. Dangers Relating to Sin Being comfortable with sin in others 2 Peter 2:8 Minimizing seriousness of sin After all, “all have sinned.” Comparing own sins with sins of others More critical of efforts to correct sin & the sinner

11. These things need to be watched lest they lead to the point of apostasy