1. The absence of spiritual leaders.
1) Exodus 32:1-8 – When Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the
commandments from God, the people rebelled because they did see where
their leader was, and didn’t understand what he was doing.
2. Evil associations.
1) I Kings 11:4 – When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart
away from God.
3. Earthly success.
1) II Chronicles 25:2-14 – When Amaziah, king of Judah, was faithful
to God, he was rewarded by God, but when he returned from the battle as
victor, he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and worshipped them.
God destroyed him by using Joash, the king of Israel.
4. Shallowness –
1) Luke 8:13 – In the parable of the sower, the people who receive
the word of God, but do not have a root within themselves will soon wither
and fade away.
5. Emptiness of life –
1) Luke 11:24-26 – When the man tries to "turn over a new
leaf," and there is no true conversion (salvation) he is more
miserable than before he reformed himself.
6. Lake of spiritual insight –
1) John 6:63-66 – Jesus spoke of spiritual quickening, and a
spiritual life, but many of the listeners didn’t believe, and went back
and walked no more with him.
7. Love of the world –
1) II Timothy 4:10 – "For Demas hath forsaken me, having
loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…"