Spiritual Slumber

“For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret in being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

Do you ever find yourself a little too complacent when you are comfortable and content? I am finding that there is a major difference between being complacent and being content.  Complacency is where we adopt a “that’s good enough”, or “I’m comfortable where I am” mentality. We have come to a place in our lives where we are comfortable with the way things are, so why do anything…right? Contentment on the other hand, is a state of being when we can accept the reality of where we are in life, joyfully, without complaint or resentment. We accept the things we cannot change and work on the things we can without being discouraged.

The problem is… we often get complacent when we are too content…

…and that’s exactly what the enemy wants us to do!

Contentment is healthy. But complacency…is dangerous!

 

“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1)

Satan deceives us into believing that as long as everything is going well we can sit back, enjoy life, and do nothing at all. He loves it when we are comfortable and He is constantly working to slow or even stop us from growing and accomplishing greater things. When we stand still, we stop paying attention to the dangers of the enemy and we just sort of float along in our Christian walk. Ouch! We better pay attention and not drift away into His false teachings! Paying attention is hard work, and it involves focusing our mind, body, and senses to stay firm and not float into a spiritual slumber!

 

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

All of us as some point in our lives have a tendency to slip into a lukewarm spiritual state; when everything is going well and we don’t desire anything it’s very easy to just take it easy and let the days go by. Often we become so familiar with the things of God and begin to take them for granted; we lose appreciation of the grace of God and make light of His many blessings. This is when we must make a compromise in our lives and balance our contentment with a deep desire to grow and move beyond where we are today. We can’t become complacent and lazy with where we are because God has so much more for us to do, and He will provide everything necessary to complete any task. Even though at times our flesh is weak and desires the easy way out, God has given us a spirit of a sound mind and leaves it up to us to either exercise growth with a desire to move beyond where we are, or choose idleness and complacency.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

God encourages us to stay focused on where we are at all times in our walk with Him because it doesn’t take long to drift back into the patterns of the world and stop doing the things we know to be right—things known to strengthen our walk. We must be thankful for the territory we have covered, while believing and expecting Him to enlarge our territory. The best way to beat complacency is to get up, get moving, and follow God wherever He leads us; the result should be a blessing!    

 

 

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