The Current Of Complacency

The waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. (Proverbs 1:32)

Complacency is a great comfort to the slumbering soul. And it is this comfort that causes complacency to course through our veins, leading us to seek a trouble-free life of ease and acquiring earthly treasure. The current of complacency does not keep people from doing much . . . it just keeps them from doing much of what matters most to our Master. And what matters most to our Master demands the most from His disciples!

I sometimes joke with friends about taking a vacation (something I don’t do very often) and “drifting on the lazy river.” But drifting on the current of complacency is not a joking matter! If we grow comfortable there, we will find ourselves spiritually stagnant, spending less and less time in the presence of Jesus. We read the Bible less. We pray less. We serve less. We give less of our time, talent, and treasure. And make no mistake, the current of complacency will cause us to notice less and less of the practical needs of the people God sends into our lives.

Let us never forget what Jesus said to the church in Laodicea:

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:16-17)

The congregation at Laodicea was characterized by complacency. Complacency causes us to drift along the sea of self-satisfaction by any means necessary. Life becomes self-centered and self-focused, leaving little or no room for our Savior. We become indifferent to others as our senses are dulled and our spiritual lives are disconnected. But that’s not all! When we succumb to the current of complacency, the less we smell the stench of our own self-absorption. The fire we once had burning deep within us has been snuffed out by Satan, who knows he cannot shipwreck out faith, but he will strive to steer us into the doldrums and render us ineffective.  

So how do we conquer the current of complacency? First, we confess our sin of complacency to Jesus. Now, I am not talking about the occasional complacency that affects all of us, but complacency that has become a way of life. Second, we draw near to Him through daily prayer and time in His Word. We must look to Jesus, learn from Jesus, and lean on Jesus more and more each day. Third, we resolve to rise above our over-committed schedules and respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit, who will direct us to those whom we have been called to serve and bless.

Keeping Jesus on the throne of your life and exchanging self-satisfaction for Savior-satisfaction will keep you from ever hearing these words, “Woe to you who are complacent!” (Amos 6:1). This is not for you! So “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

This is the Gospel.  This is grace for your race.  NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!