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Complacency in the kingdom of God- Watch out church!

Zephaniah 1:12-1:13
 

12) And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. 13) Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof." (KJV)

 

Picture here undisturbed wine. The "dregs" or "lees" is the sediment that settles on the bottom, of say, wine or coffee. When bottles of wine are not moved about in their racks or casks of wine are not turned, the wine becomes thick and it's flavor is unchanged. If a cask of wine sits for too long without it being moved, it's usually a sign that whoever owns it is somewhat prosperous and affluent and doesn't have the time to invest to tend to them. As a result, good wine becomes great because of the rotation and bad wine just becomes worse because it never gets moved, Amen?

I am a fan of the old King James Version of the Bible, but for the sake of others' clarity, we'll look at these other two versions very briefly. The New American Standard Version says about how the people were "stagnant in spirit" and the New King James says that they "are settled in complacency." Speaking either literally or figuratively, it is obvious that the conscience of these people has not been "moved" for a long time. When wicked men are allowed to go too long without being disturbed, they become set in their ways, and they sink so far down, that it is often impossible for them to recover. May the Lord help us, Amen?

One of the sign's of their indifferent attitude, was that they didn't think that the Lord cares, rewards, or punishes. To borrow a phrase from the prophet Amos, they are "at ease in Zion," (Amos 6:1). At ease not because of what they know, but because of what they ignore. They are just "taking it easy." They don't take the time or effort to actually deny God in thought, AND, they just live like it doesn't really matter. They live in complete disregard for God, who gives them life and all life's blessings. So they at rest, and at complete ease, in their evil.


Sometimes, we as, Christians think very foolish and dangerous thoughts such as:

"Well, just don’t get too concerned about things that are going on, just keep things as they are; let someone else take care of things, sit back, chill, relax, and see what is going on. Don’t get too involved, if you can avoid it, Amen?"

When life is good, and things are easy, and our situation comfortable, God becomes a God of the last resort. Why? Because there is no NEED for God.

On the other hand, when we are in need, we usually take God more seriously. But when we are comfortable, and things are going well with us; when we have a job, and have some money in the bank, it is easier to become complacent about God and His kingdom and His principles, Amen? Come on, now, stay with me!

 

Satan the sissy is more than willing to keep us complacent, to keep us lazy. He talks to his demons and probably says something like, "We’ll let them go on thinking that there is a God and that He cares about right and wrong. But we'll keep hinting that there is no hurry; there is no hurry, we still have time!"
 

Satan knows that this strategy is successful with many, many Christians.
 

A "stagnant, indifferent, complacent Christian" is an abomination to the Lord. He calls upon God out of a self-righteous, self-serving, satisfaction. He calls upon God for blessings, and in times of trouble. But he has no intention of making Jesus the Lord of his life, the Purpose of his life, his Way of life, Amen? Amen!

Our Lord said He would rather that a man be cold, utterly without profession to be Christian, lost in other words, rather than medium, "moderate," lukewarm. Why? Because hot and cold are consistent! Hot is "consistently" hot, and cold is "consistently" cold! Warm "fluctuates" between hot and cold. It (he or she) is always in the "middle" without taking or making a firm commitment; without a firm stance, Amen?

Remember this: "mediocre" is simply the best of the poorest, and the poorest of the best.

"Mediocre" is climbing "half-ways up the mountain" and then giving up, because "things got tough!"

Becoming settled in complacency leaves us weak for Satan’s evil, and immoral attacks.

WHEN WE HAVE SETTLED INTO COMPLACENCY, IT BECOMES LIKE A CANCER THAT, NOT ONLY WEAKENS, BUT DESTROYS IN TIME.

1.) It lowers our determination

Judges 16:16-17 16) And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death 17) That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.

Samson had become so complacent about his God-given responsibility as a leader, that he gave in, and told Delilah the secret to his strength. He thought it wouldn’t matter; he thought everything would still be just fine. Samson's complacency was a sin, because he disobeyed God’s command NOT to let his hair be shaved, and he let down the nation of God, as a result.

2.) It lowers Gods standards

1 Kings 11:1-4 1) But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 2) Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 3) And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. 4) For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

 

King Solomon loved many strange (foreign) women . . . The Lord had clearly instructed his people not to intermarry with those nations . . . Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway . . . And sure enough, they led his heart away from the Lord . . .

Solomon’s complacency toward God, and God’s commands, led him into sin, and its consequences.

3.) It lowers our morals, and behavior

2 Sam 11:2-5 2) And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3) And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4) And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. 5) And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

David’s complacency toward sin, caused him to tolerate the very thing, that he once knew, not to do.

 

4.) It lowers our level of personal expectation


5.) It lowers our thinking; and our responsibility, "it'll be O.K., no big deal"
 

Zephaniah 1:12
 

"And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil."


6. It lowers our relationship with God

Rev 3:15-16 15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

7. It lowers our spiritual power in life

 

Complacency robs God, and His church, of energetic, and consecrated, and sanctified servants.

What causes us to grow complacent?

1. When the danger is past, we often forget God, who helped us through the danger.

 

Hos 13:5-6>>> 5) I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. 6) According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

 


2. Not only do we forget the past, but we forget God’s warning.

A warning not to forget Deut. 6:10-12>>> 10) And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, 11) And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; 12) Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

 

3. We don’t like to move out of our comfort zone; we are cozy there> We feel all "warm and fuzzy!"
 

4. We feel we are self sufficient
 

We would be wise to remember God every day, Amen, both in times need, and prosperity.
Overcome complacency with a complete surrender, with praise and thanksgiving, and humility.

We need to understand the importance the scripture:

 

1 Thes. 5:18 18) IN every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you:

1. In giving thanks to God, we receive us an understanding of who we are, in relationship to Christ, and our responsibilities as Christians.

 

2. In giving thanks to God, we gain a greater understanding as to why we need to live our lives in holiness, and consecration, and sanctification unto the Lord.
 

3. In giving thanks to God, we grow in wisdom, in knowledge, and in our understanding of God and His purposes for our lives.
 

4. In giving thanks to God, we gain a greater knowledge and understanding of God’s will, God's way, and God's Word.
 

5. In giving thanks to God, we gain greater maturity in all area's of our life.

To sum it all up:


Are our lives too shallow?
 

Have we settled for "just enough" to get by on?
 

Remember:

 

* the mature believer is a searching believer.
* maturity is pressing toward the mark; and seeking Gods will, where as immaturity is complacency and self-satisfaction.
* maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself.

 

A vessel that grows as it is filled will never be full. The soul is like that: the more it wants, the more it is given; the more it receives, the more it grows.
 

To overcome complacency read 2 Chron 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; THEN will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

 

Come let us pray, reach up to God, and wisen up, so God can build us up! Amen, Amen, Praise the Lord, Hallelujah, Amen!

 

Hmo Art  11/04/14- finished editing/RAC

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