by Kaye Johns

Dr. Blackaby pointed out 24 tell-tale signs of a heart that has drifted -- a vital test for any believer, so vitally important that we present them here, with a prayer that you will study them carefully and make all necessary adjustments to return to a wholehearted devotion to the One Who "searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts" [1 Chronicles 28:9].

A poor or declining prayer life is the first indicator of the drifting heart. Is your prayer life becoming more vital and meaningful each day? [Matthew 6:5-13].

You’re experiencing a loss of power -- In Matthew 17, the disciples could not heal because of their unbelief. They didn’t trust God. Their hearts had drifted.

You’re not walking with God -- If you do not walk with Him, He will not bless you. If He’s not blessing your life, your heart has drifted [1 John 1:5-7].

You’re not experiencing real joy -- The personal love relationship with Jesus always brings joy [John 15:11, 17:13, Galatians 5:22].

You’ve lost a compassionate heart and developed a critical spirit. 1 Peter 3:8: "be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous."

You sense no moving of God in your heart -- no desire to know and do His will. He always brings that movement to the heart of the child of His who is in tune with Him. [John 15:8,10; 1 John 4].

There is no conviction of sin in your life. If your heart is right, the Holy Spirit will be active in you, and every sin will cause you to turn to God in confession and repentance [John 16:8].

You tolerate things that you once abhorred. If you accept things that you know are outside God’s purpose for you, your heart has drifted [Romans 7:2, 6-7, 11-14].

Sin is allowed to continue in your church. The church that is right with God cannot allow sin to continue. You must speak up if your heart is right [2 Timothy 4:3-5].

You become defensive about what the Bible calls sin. Are you making excuses? Your idea of sin must line up with the Bible’s definition [1 Samuel 13:7-14].

There is no assignment from God in your life. If your heart is right, you will be on mission with Him, and you’ll know where He is leading [Matthew 28:18-20].

You can go through a week without asking "Where is the Lord?" In Jeremiah 2, everyone had ceased asking "Where is the Lord." The consequences of living without seeking Him are enormous [Jeremiah 2:1-8].

You find that you no longer seek the Lord with all your heart. This is the first and greatest commandment [Matthew 22:37-38]. Without it, something is terribly wrong.

You cannot honestly say your are seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. Your way of life does not show this as your priority [Matthew 6:33].

Your life is no longer salt and light to others around you. Your heart has drifted if you are not exerting positive spiritual influence on others [Matthew 5:13-16].

There is no manifest presence of God in your daily life. If He is absent as you go about your day, your heart has drifted [Psalm 139; 2 Kings 24:20].

You no longer hear His voice when you pray or read the Word. He will always speak clearly to those whose hearts are completely His [John 8:47].

You no longer sense His presence. You seem to be on your own, spiritually as well as in other ways [Psalm 5:4-5].

You are no longer seeing the discipline of God in your life. The Lord chastens those He loves. Are you experiencing His discipline? [Hebrews 12:5-11].

There is no fear of God in you. This is basic to our walk with Him. Do you tremble in the presence of the Lord? [Isaiah 66:2].

You find a hardness developing in your heart and in your attitudes. If your heart is right with God, there will be no hardness, no resistance to the sweetness of Christ [Hebrews 3:12-15].

You continue to practice sin because you do not see consequences. You assume that there is no penalty, as though He will not judge you [John 5:22; Romans 7:1-7].

You bring polluted offerings to God. God will not accept the leftovers of our lives and our resources. He knows your heart when your offerings are presented [Malachi 1:11, 3:6-8; Matthew 23:23].

You see significant changes in your family life. Suspicions and mistrust develop. If your heart is right toward God, He will make relationships right [Deuteronomy 28:2-6; Ephesians 5:22-6:4].

Audio cassettes of the full conference are available from PrayerPower Ministries. See the Order Form section of www.learntopray.org