The dictionary defines complacency as a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievement. My definition is “being comfortable.” Complacency is something we must all guard against. It is something that will adversely affect our personal life and especially our spiritual life.
Being complacent spiritually is not new. Consider Zephaniah’s warning of the coming destruction of Jerusalem circa 600 BC: “And it shall come to pass at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency, who say in their heart, `the Lord will not do good, nor will He do evil.’ Therefore their goods shall become booty, and their houses a desolation” (Zephaniah 1:12,13). Zephaniah makes clear earlier in the chapter that he is talking to those “who have turned their back from following the Lord and have not sought Him” (Zephaniah 1:6).
In spite of what happened to the northern kingdom and numerous warnings from the prophets, the people of Judah thought that God wouldn’t do harm to them because they were His chosen people.
Obviously Christians can and do fall into complacency. We must fight this with all our being. Satan will see that the cares and enticements of the world will be in our face. What can we do about complacency?
First of all, make an assessment of where we are. Are we spiritually stronger than last year? Are we concerned about our friends and neighbors and see people as souls in need of a savior? Things we can do:
Take advantage of classes here (including SEIBS) to increase our Bible knowledge. Study on our own or as a family or both. Take or participate in grading correspondence courses. Practice hospitality with your non-Christian friends and neighbors. Invite them to church
or to study.
Let’s spur each other on to avoid or cure our complacency by being doers of the Word and not hearers only.
For the elders, Dave Benner