The very idea of being on probation implies the presence of danger.

In a fallen world like ours, anything good will inevitably face opposition. The closer a soul draws to God, the more subtle the dangers and challenges become. To assist those striving to live in constant prayer and fellowship with God, we will consider some specific dangers to the spiritual life.

1. First, there is the danger of the soul getting in bondage to its own religion. During moments of intense surrender and spiritual testing, the mind can become fixated on human standards of holiness or on imitating others. In the intensity of such times, people may make hasty promises to God—vows that later prove impossible, overly harsh, or inconsistent with Scripture. Some individuals are particularly vulnerable to being consumed by scruples, which can severely hinder spiritual growth. Satan often works to replace a healthy, God-honoring conscience with an unhealthy obsession with scrupulosity, trapping the soul in unnecessary guilt and fear.

There is a vast difference between a good conscience guided by Scripture and a false conscience consumed with fear over countless imagined sins. A scrupulous person is constantly troubled, wondering: Should I eat this or that food today? Should I wear this or that outfit? Should I take this or that train? Should I make a fire on Sunday to stay warm? Such questions, which Scripture does not address, are matters that God leaves to common sense through His providence.

One of the holiest men I ever knew was deeply burdened by scruples. On his way to preach one Sunday, he crossed a river on a ferry boat, his heart filled with joy. But after crossing, an evil spirit whispered to him, “You’ve lost your sanctification by using a steam-powered boat.” Instantly, his joy vanished, his face grew downcast, and he arrived at church declaring himself a backslider. He even went to the altar for prayers. It was all a deception of Satan.

If a soul becomes enslaved to its own sense of holiness, there is no limit to the extremes their scruples may take them. Some people sincerely experience heart purity and publicly testify to it, but later lose the grace. Yet, they feel compelled to maintain their testimony, fearing that admitting their loss would harm God’s cause. This creates bondage to their confession.

Because of a false conscience, some confess they have lost all religion when they’ve done nothing wrong, while others who have genuinely lost grace refuse to admit it, fearing it would hurt the work of God. Both responses arise from the same root: a false conscience.

Others make rash vows about eating, drinking, clothing, marriage, traveling on Sunday, fasting, or using medical treatments, turning these vows into a kind of imaginary deity. They become trapped in endless difficulties, and their spiritual life turns into torment instead of the restful, peaceful walk with God that comes with the liberty of perfect love. Be careful not to let your holiness become a harsh taskmaster.

I knew a man who faithfully gave a tenth of his income to God and vowed never to borrow from it. He prided himself on keeping this vow. But when God allowed him to face a dire need, he had to break his vow and use the tithe to buy coal to avoid freezing. This experience broke his reliance on his own holiness.

If a saint begins to depend on their own religion, God will find a way to break that idol. God desires our love for Him, not for our vows or for our sense of holiness.

2. Another danger to deep piety is the spirit of exclusiveness—distancing ourselves from other good Christians and forming tight-knit groups that believe worship with less mature believers holds little value. This has been a temptation for spiritually-minded people in every generation. However, when individuals grow into a deeper union with God and their hearts are filled with His love, they develop a boundless compassion for those at every level of grace.

It is true that deeply spiritual people often find special encouragement and joy in fellowship with those who are closest to God. This natural draw toward kindred spirits is part of God’s design and applies to both Heaven and earth. Yet, the danger lies in falling into spiritual pride—separating from other good Christians, holding secret meetings, and imagining themselves as a special spiritual elite. This mindset cuts them off from the broader fellowship of believers and often leads to prideful doctrines that either collapse into public disgrace or fade into irrelevance.

Avoid any form of religion that operates in secrecy, seeks exclusivity, or mimics the self-important wisdom of the owl, which hides in darkness. Instead, strive to be simple, humble, open, and sincere. While we may carry divine truths within, we should reflect them as sunlight carries its colors—hidden within but shining freely for all to see.

3. Another danger to deep spirituality is the desire for leadership. While it is true that a soul being useful will naturally lead others in some way, the desire to take leadership can subtly corrupt the heart.

People who initially feel humbled and reluctant to lead may, over time, become accustomed to being in the forefront of meetings or Christian work. Gradually, a thought arises about maintaining or asserting leadership. This thought lingers in the mind, grows into an affection, and then develops into a strong desire. Eventually, the will acts on this desire, strategizing and managing situations to secure leadership. This can lead to removing obstacles—people or circumstances—that seem to hinder one’s position, resulting in a sense of satisfaction and secret joy in holding authority.

Next comes a spirit of exclusion, cutting off anyone who challenges or interferes with this authority, followed by jealousy over one’s position. Ultimately, this leads to religious tyranny—dictating to others, forbidding them from hearing other preachers, or denying them personal freedom in spiritual matters. This behavior invites God’s disapproval, causing the leader’s efforts to unravel and collapse, leaving others to wonder why such a once-useful person failed. This is the tragic outcome of spiritual ambition.

The only person truly fit for spiritual leadership is one whose heart is completely free from any desire for it. Such a person leads with meekness, free from jealousy or envy, and trembles at the responsibility. Whether leading a small prayer meeting or a large mission, the same spirit is required—a spirit that rejects self-interest and rests entirely on Christ. If we are to walk closely with God, we must cast away even the smallest desire for leadership. If God places us in such a role, we should accept it with fear and humility, ready to relinquish it at any moment. This is how we remain in a place of “none of self and all of Christ.”

4. Another danger to deep spirituality is the trap of religious legalism. Some souls, eager to grow in grace, feel that simply loving God with all their heart—the plain, old-fashioned way—is not enough. They seek to demonstrate a “higher” form of religion by taking on additional practices, leaving themselves vulnerable to many of Satan’s deceptions.

These individuals often revert to a legalistic mindset, adopting elements of Jewish law as proof of superior holiness. They feel compelled to keep the Jewish Sabbath, practice circumcision, observe new moons, and follow numerous rituals, thinking this will elevate their spiritual standing. Over time, they become entangled in countless technicalities and drift into errors such as annihilationism, second probation, and other delusions—all because they fail to understand that perfect love fulfills the law.

The Apostle Paul faced similar struggles with such people. He noted that they began their spiritual journey in the Spirit but then sought perfection through the Jewish law. They became enslaved to rules about Sabbaths, festivals, baptisms, food, and clothing. Paul expressed concern that their legalism would render his labor for them in vain.

Many today fall into the same trap. They abandon the joy and freedom of pure, boundless love for God and others, only to become ensnared in outward legalism. This path leads them to lose their peace, become argumentative, experience confusion in their faith, and carry a distressed, weary appearance.

Beware of legalism in holiness. It robs the soul of its simplicity and joy, replacing them with burdens that God never intended. Stay in the freedom of perfect love, which is the true fulfillment of God’s law.

5. Another danger in the spiritual life is the giving or receiving of personal praise. This does not refer to genuine expressions of appreciation or holy Christian love, but rather to praise that often carries a hint of flattery. Giving such praise can be harmful to the one who offers it, but it is far more dangerous for the one who receives it.

A person who loves and obeys God may rightly be aware of their integrity, just as they are aware of their existence. The idea that a pure-hearted individual must constantly think of themselves as wicked is both false and unscriptural. Yet, even a soul conscious of living for God’s glory can be poisoned if it receives praise into the heart.

The danger lies at the delicate point where the affections begin to grasp at the praise. If we are commended for our talents, work, or piety, and feel even a slight inward pleasure or elation, it becomes a snare. This is often followed by a painful humiliation, as God humbles us to safeguard our hearts.

If we are ever praised for our character, gifts, or work, it should prompt an instinctive shrinking of the soul—a deep trembling and a desire to retreat to a quiet place where we can pray, acknowledge our unworthiness, and grow in humility before God.

The holy person who walks closely with God is worthy of great honor and reward, yet such a person instinctively shrinks from praise and feels pain at any laudation directed at them. Many Christians have suffered significant spiritual harm—not merely because they were praised, but because they allowed themselves to savor it like sweet wine. When their affections drank it in, it became an intoxicating curse.

John Wesley once wrote to Francis Asbury that he “studied to be small.” It is no wonder the Lord used him so greatly. Praise, no matter how vast, cannot harm anyone who does not let it enter their heart or take pleasure in it. This is like a diver safely descending into the ocean as long as the water stays outside of him.

To please God, we must deliberately and habitually seek only the honor that comes from Him. How often have we seen a young preacher or Christian worker become prideful from a little praise? This danger also exists at the highest levels of Christian experience. The most dangerous form of spiritual pride is receiving and enjoying praise for personal holiness.

Even when we are filled with divine joy, the Holy Spirit instructs us to “rejoice with trembling.” There is a holy fear that even the most godly soul needs. The eternal God Himself declares that He looks with favor on the one who is humble, contrite, and “trembles at His Word.”

To walk in the Holy Spirit, we must recognize and reject touchiness—the tendency to feel hurt or offended when corrected, advised, or warned by others. Those who profess holiness but think they are beyond being taught, or above reproach for their mistakes or imprudent actions, and refuse guidance from mature Christians, will soon find themselves crushed by the workings of God’s providence.

In every Christian gathering, there are individuals who seem spiritually vibrant but become vexed or sullen when wiser believers gently reprove them for an error. Such people need a clearer understanding of true holiness. Self-conceit is a common issue in religious experiences. However, it does not arise from grace but from the mind’s natural tendencies. Just as sunlight causes snakes to emerge without being the source of the snake itself, deeper grace can sometimes expose underlying flaws in the human heart.

To be deeply spiritual, we must avoid even the appearance of touchiness or stubborn self-opinion. The only remedy for feeling offended, moody, or curt in response to correction is to be entirely filled with divine love. When our hearts are wholly dissolved in God’s charity, we will love Him and others so fully that we no longer prioritize our own feelings. Instead, we will accept advice and reproof with genuine humility and gratitude.

Though other dangers may arise as we ascend the mountains of grace, avoiding these pitfalls will greatly accelerate our conformity to the image of Jesus.

Read, “Others May, You Cannot” by Watson.