A Prayer Against Spiritual Complacency
By: Chelsey DeMatteis
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. - James 1:22
Complacency and hesitancy typically go hand in hand. We see often this happen as Christians become complacent in their faith. They don’t desire to grow in their faith, they don’t walk in their convictions, and they entertain a progressive biblical view, they become hesitant in their belief of what God’s Word says, and stop sharing the good news of Jesus.
Complacency has not only plagued many believers, but has been a plague in the church for a while now. Churches fear calling out this sin because they don’t want to make us sinners upset, even though it’s the Church who is called to instruct its body in the Word and teach what it says. Because of this and because many people are not spending time in the Word for themselves, we see a culture of people claiming Jesus is Lord but living a life that doesn’t reflect any of His truth.
So how can you and I not get caught up in this? How can we pray against this sin of complacency? “We must be doers of the Word and not just hearers of it.” James 1:22 tells us. Everything changes when we begin living out what God’s Word says. It even tells us in James 1:21 “that we are to receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” How powerful is that! We are told exactly how to steer clear of a complacent faith: do what God's Word says. Hold fast to the truth. Stand firm in your convictions. Know that you're accountable to God and Him alone.
He also not only gives us instruction through His Word, but it is through His Word we receive the message that saves. His Word gives us the blueprint of how we must live, love, and pursue a bold faith. As you and I follow these commands we will not only see a shift in those around us, and in the boldness in our faith, but we will see firsthand the chains of complacency break.
It is complacency that robs us of the work God desires to do in our hearts. It's complacency that desires to thwart the good things God calls us to do in our everyday living. But, thankfully by His grace and the power we have living in us through Him, we are able to break free from this area of bondage and boldly live for Him. I pray that as we live for Him, we are now able to point others away from a complacent, hesitant way of living and the entanglement it can cause in Christians’ lives.
Pray with me…
Lord,
Thank you for continuing to pursue my heart. As long as there is breath in my lungs, I know that you are completing the good work in me you began.
Lord, reveal to me the places I’ve fallen complacent and help me follow your lead as I surrender them to you.
I pray I live a life that leads others to you and your truth.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
You can find more from Chelsey on her website, https://www.chelseydematteis.com/.
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Originally published Tuesday, 12 January 2021.
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