Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
March 23, 2012

“Fending Off Attacks!” (Complacency)
“Above all else, guard your heart….it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

We were created for God. To be His. To serve Him…worship Him…love Him and be with Him. That was the design. That was His design. Unfortunately, that dream was stolen when the “serpent” deceived God’s children into believing that by disobeying God, (i.e., leaving the “sea” from the parable of the Sea Lion) they would be fine. The deceiver has been doing the same ever since—attempting to get God’s children to accept far less than what is theirs in Christ.
Yesterday I listed a number of “weapons” that are at our enemies disposal—instruments of deception that are intended to have us “drop our guard” and drain us of our passion to love and serve God. One of those weapons is that of complacency.
Complacency (defined) is: “…a feeling of self-satisfaction that is coupled with an unawareness of danger, trouble or controversy.” Complacency in the workplace can lead to dangerous—even disastrous conditions. Complacency in a marriage or friendship can lead people to treat one another with contempt…taking people for granted. Complacency in our relationship with Christ is the devil’s way of having us believe that while everything on the surface appears to be just fine—underneath we are being lulled into taking a nap when we should be working for the King and the kingdom.
Theologian and seminary professor, Dr. Mendall Taylor wrote a great article called, “The Tabernacle of Complacency.” The following is a portion of this article.
“Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here: And let us make three tabernacles.’” (Luke 9:33)

The disciples enjoyed the supernatural sight on the Mount of Transfiguration. They desired to have it perpetuated indefinitely. Thus Peter suggested that they should build a tabernacle for each person in the Transfiguration, and camp on this holy ground. In this comfortable nest of complacency they could withdraw from the burdens of life and enjoy the prosperity that they felt Jesus would guarantee for them.
The cult of complacency is still with us. In the past we have criticized Russia for putting up an “iron curtain” and China for its “bamboo curtain.” But America is guilty of putting up a curtain of luxury, materialism, and comfort. We insist that everything be automatic, air-foam soft, and painless. We want electronic eyes to open our doors, button-operated gears to run our cars, and air conditioning to control our temperatures. We insist that everything be electronic, and whoever comes up with the next high-tech, laborsaving device will be the hero of the hour.
In a paradise of comforts we worship at the shrine of the convenient and draw aside from the hurts of a heartbroken world. Mountains of ecstasy are wonderful places to visit, but they are not fit for permanent habitation. If we do not come to grips with the crush and tears of reality, we become flabby in a tabernacle of complacency. The Call is to be strong and courageous in these times of moral collapse.
Complacency, spiritually speaking, is the “frog-in-the-kettle” syndrome. You know what I am talking about. It is said that if you take a frog and place it in a pot of boiling water it will leap out immediately. But place that frog in pot of water that is cool and pleasant—start heating the water gradually and the frog will notice the change until it is boiling and too late. The frog’s survival instincts are geared toward sudden changes—but gradual ones they will not recognize. Remain “passionate” about God and guard yourself against such complacency. Remember the words of the prophet Jeremiah who wrote:
“Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23 (Emphasis mine)
Pastor J. T. Carnell