David Wilkerson emphasizes the critical need for personal prayer, Bible reading, and the dangers of gossip and secret sin in his sermon 'This Is a Test.' He warns that neglecting these spiritual disciplines can lead to a hardened heart, making it difficult to withstand future trials. Wilkerson highlights the importance of heeding God's warnings and maintaining a close relationship with Him to prepare for challenging times. He urges listeners to reflect on their actions and attitudes towards prayer, gossip, and sin, as these can lead to spiritual decay. Ultimately, he calls for a return to genuine faith and obedience to avoid the pitfalls of a hardened heart.

Take this test to see whether you have already taken the first steps toward hardness of heart. 1. How many times have you heard messages about the danger of neglecting daily prayer and Bible reading? If you neglect your secret closet at home—if you think praying at church takes care of all your needs—you will never survive the troubled days ahead. If you will not heed the Word that is meant to heal and strengthen you in good times, how will you ever find power to overcome during the difficult days to come? Having a personal knowledge of your heavenly Father is the only way to prepare for what is coming! 2. How many times have you been warned of the awful consequences of gossip? At times, my warnings on the subject of gossip have been like soft, gentle rain and at other times, they have been like rolling thunder. Time after time, the Israelites were warned of the dangers of this sin. But they persisted in disobeying the Lord and it brought them a lifetime of misery in a snake-infested desert. Gossip and murmuring cost Israel everything. Have you said something against a brother or a sister during the past week, something you had no business repeating? Or have you listened to any gossip about that person? If so, did you allow a seed of doubt about him or her to be planted in your soul? If you continue to gossip in light of all the warnings you have heard, you have started down the path toward hardness of heart. 3. How many warnings have you heard against harboring a secret sin? What about that secret sin, the one that God's Spirit has continually spoken to you about? Over the years I have written many warnings about the dangers of flirting with a pet sin. Yet, not only have I preached against sin, but I have taught of God's resurrection power. I have preached that the Lord both endues us with overcoming power through His Spirit, and puts a will in our hearts to do right. The person who dares sit under loving reproof week after week and yet goes on sinning is heading down the path toward hardness of heart. Don’t be such a person!