Subscription Lists
'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
"For this is a rebellious people, faithless and lying sons, children who will not hear the law and instruction of the Lord; Who [virtually] say to the seers [by their conduct], See not! and to the prophets, Prophesy not to us what is right! Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceitful illusions. Get out of the true way, turn aside out of the path, cease holding up before us the Holy One of Israel. - Isaiah 30:9-11 (AMP)
Smooth things were comfortable - in the days of Isaiah. And also, today.
In our times, many attend churches in order to be comforted. We live in a harsh and turbulent world, and many seek relief by attending a church. There is nothing wrong with relief per se. However, if we are being comforted by the wrong words, our temporary comfort will simple extend our discomfort eventually.
Sometimes church leaders are fearful of sinking attendance, which may indicate an eventual loss of donations. After all, attendance is the measure of many things; leadership, financial status, etc. Churches today are often large businesses, and must be managed like businesses. Therefore, in order to adjust to the negative indications of these and other potentially negative indicators, the attendees want to hear that by which they can escape at least some of the harshness of the world outside.
Of course as the saying goes, "different strokes for different folks". Church becomes a retreat from a world that is becoming more and more threatening, mentally, emotionally, and even physically.
Too often, church becomes psychological rather than spiritual. Teachings about righteous living and holy conduct become a different, and all too often, a very uncomfortable event. It becomes a source of disturbing news. Correction is just too much. They want comfort and sympathy. They are weary of hearing so much "bad news".
There is nothing wrong or unchristian to seek comfort and encouragement, as long as it is sought and presented in the context of truth. The truth generates it's own comfort in the knowledge of living in and doing the will of God. But for some, truth is uncomfortable. However, sometimes there is simply no way to circumvent some discouragement without watering down the truth.
Unfortunately, the search for comfort often leads to being open to the smoothness of lukewarmness, which leads to a "form of religion" rather than to the religion of holy living. Given enough time, church can become a center for lukewarmness, and a comfortable self-deception rather than a bastion of safety from the deceptions of the world outside it doors.
Of course, the flock must be fed milk before strong meat. But too often the flock desires sweet and smooth diets to be continuous in order to keep feeling comfortable. However, in order for spiritual growth to occur, eventually they must be taught to accept and enabled to digest "strong meat". Even if the strong meat of truth is difficult to digest, eventually those who have been weaned must be fed the strong meat of truth. Otherwise, many may follow those outside of the sheepfold into becoming victims of the ravaging wolves outside.
Smooth things, and a deceptive comfort, will not pacify or defend against the wolves outside.
May we all grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ by seeking the truth - whether it seems comfortable or not.
"Concerning this we have much to say which is hard to explain, since you have become dull in your [spiritual] hearing and sluggish [even [a]slothful in achieving spiritual insight]. For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God’s Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food. For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]! But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law." - Hebrews 5:11-14
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "'Christ in You...'" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.