What an interesting definition I found the word complacent to own. It means "softness of manners". When one softens in their manners, all sorts of trouble begins! How does complacency affect our spiritual life? Let's find out...
Isaiah 32:9 (KJV)
Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters;
give ear unto my speech.
Complacency grows out of a false security in our spiritual life. In this portion of scripture, the people turned their backs on God and concentrated on their own pleasures. This Biblical warning above is not just to the women of Jerusalem, but to all who sit back in their thoughtless complacency, enjoying crops, clothes, land, and cities while an enemy approaches! Wealth and luxury bring false security, lulling us into thinking all is well when disaster lurks around the corner. Ladies, as we soften in our manners and let up on our testimony to afford ourselves greater opportunity for self-indulgence, we forsake the help of the Lord in our lives. It's time to hear HIS voice again and gave ear to HIS speech! Rise up out of your ease, won't you?
Joel 1:5 (KJV)
Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because
of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
Complacency is evidence of spiritual laziness. When people's physical and moral senses are dulled, it makes them oblivious to sin. Joel called these drunkards to awaken from their extreme complacency and confess their sins before it was too late. Otherwise, everything would be destroyed, even the very grapes that were the source of their intoxication! Yes, the Lord uses the smallest creatures, such as crop-eating insects, to humble the proud. And ladies, our times of peace and prosperity can lull us into a deep sleep if we're not careful! We must never let material abundance cause us to soften our manners, to let up on our watch of spiritual things, thereby hardening our hearts toward the Lord.
Malachi 2:10-11 (KJV)
Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal
treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant
of our fathers? Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is
committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness
of the Lord which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange
god.
Here we learn that complacency often degenerates into sin. After the temple had been rebuilt and the walls completed, the people were excited to see past prophecies coming true. But as time passed, the prophecies about the destruction of God's enemies and a coming Messiah were not immediately fulfilled. Hence, the people became discouraged, and they grew complacent about obeying all of God's laws. This softening of their godly manners gradually led to blatant sin, such as marriage to those who worshiped idols. Their lack of concern over such unholy behavior resulted in violating the very holiness of God. Believers can't afford to soften in Christ-like conduct, for the character of our God is at stake! We must not accommodate that which profanes the holiness of the Lord. 2 Cor. 6:3 says, "Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:" In a small book I have on manners, George Washington said, "Every action in company ought to be a sign of respect to those present." Is not our Lord present everywhere we go?? Is your present behavior a sign of respect toward Him? Ladies, if you've loosened your grip on holiness, it's time to tighten things up again! The Lord expects His ambassadors to take their testimony seriously in all areas of life…
Rev. 3:15 (KJV)
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert
cold or hot.
In closing, complacency generates a lukewarm faith. Lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink, amen? The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and repugnant. These believers didn't stand for anything; their indifference had led them to idleness. That's exactly where your lack of concern will lead you as well! How many times have you detected Christians who are serious about living for the Lord rub other believers who are not the wrong way? They make comments like, "Oh, lighten up, would ya?!" What they are really saying is, "Be more complacent!" Bad advice indeed… By neglecting to do anything for Christ, this church had become hardened and self-satisfied through the softening of its convictions, and it was destroying itself. Have YOU softened in your convictions, dear lady?? If so, you must realize that complacency also invites God's loving discipline. Yes, the Lord said He would discipline this lukewarm church - unless it turned from its indifference toward Him. Don't cheat yourself by being lukewarm in your devotion to God - and don't cheat the One who died for you! Ladies, there is nothing more sickening than a halfhearted, in-name-only Christian who is self-sufficient. Settle not for following the Lord halfway. Let Christ firm up your faith and rid you of complacency!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
