The Giant of Retreat: Part 5 by Dr. Rod Mattoon

About this sermon

In PART FIVE of this message on the Battle with the Giant of Retreat, we examine another reason why believers retreat from God. The next reason for retreat is Being Stuck in Sinful Habits and Wrong Priorities. The pressure and stress from sinful habits, earthly matters, and the cares of this world can distract the believer from spending time with the Lord. Jesus warned they choke the word. * Mark 4:19- And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Those who are stuck in sinful habits are off course. They are going the wrong direction. Solomon addressed this matter. * Proverbs 14:22 -Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. Those who devise evil do "err." What does Solomon mean by this word? The word "err" is from the word ta'ah {taw-aw'}, which describes a person who has retreated spiritually or is going backward. It means "to wander, go astray, to stagger." When a person gets into a backslidden condition, they become unstable spiritually speaking. They wander away from the Lord and wander into choices accompanied by a boatload of problems. Destructive choices and consequences are not an accident. They are the result of planned or devised behavior. If you are going to retreat from "Retreat Mode," then get your priorities straightened out and break those sinful addictions. This is part of God's solutions for victory. We give several solutions you can apply in your life. Another reason why many spiritually retreat and do not grow spiritually is because of their ignorance of God's Word or a lack of desire to learn the Bible. There are many believers and unbelievers that have no interest in knowing the things of God and the knowledge of His ways. * Job 21:14—Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Strife With Other Christians and God is another reason why believers spiritually retreat. Contention with Christians can quickly cool a believer. Conflict and arguments with other Christians can be devastating to your spiritual growth and lead to spiritual retreat. It is a big reason why Christians retreat from living for Christ. When you retreat from your closeness with God and from going to church, you are more reluctant to spend time with other Christians. You don't want to be around those who remind you of the One you want to forget. We provide for solutions to help a Christian overcome bitterness. This message was preached on Sunday night, November 30, 2025, at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.