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“The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

Proverbs 27:7

 

I am sure most of us have enjoyed a great meal to the point of being “stuffed.” I can recall my wife preparing a wonderful meal and after I have eaten my fill, she asks if I would like some dessert? The honest answer is “no.” This brings us to a principle of life: If a man’s appetite is satisfied, you can place his favorite food in front of him, and he will not want it. On the other hand, if a man is starving, he will eat almost anything to preserve his life and to quell the pains of hunger. The Bible tells us in such a time even that which is bitter is considered as sweet.

 

In our text, Solomon is not just talking about food; he is also talking about life. Man has many differing appetites he seeks to fill. It is our goal to learn to fill these desires properly and within the bounds of God’s will.

 

Obviously, there is a constant battle going on between the flesh and the spirit. The spirit may want to do the right thing, but the flesh has its own agenda wishing to gratify itself. Our appetites can be a friend or foe in this on-going battle. Appetites can prejudice our whole decision making process, biasing it for good or bad. These powerful forces can pull us toward the domain of the flesh or the spirit.

 

My responsibility as a child of God is to control my appetites; making sure they are legitimate and within reasonable and proper bounds. I must exercise the right appetite but only to the right degree. As I attempt to master my own cravings, then I follow through with a responsibility toward my fellowman. I must, within the bounds of my authority and influence, help him meet and control his appetites.

 

For example, we teach Christian ladies to always dress modestly. First, you are a child of God and provocative attire does not become you as a believer. But secondly, you know men have certain sensual appetites which they battle to keep in proper control.   It becomes your responsibility to refrain from putting a lustful stumbling block in their way.

 

An Appetite To Be Cherished.

 

A lady has a certain need to be cherished, loved, and protected. Ladies, it is your responsibility to make sure your appetite for these things are within proper bounds. It could be that no man could please you, as your demands are so high. But, assuming your expectations are reasonable, then it is your husband’s responsibility to help you fill this appetite. Now, husbands, if you don’t help her fulfill this appetite, some other man may come along and tell her how beautiful she is, how sweet she is, and he will seek to meet that need she is missing from you. This doesn’t mean she is going to be unfaithful to you, I am just saying it opens up an avenue of temptation the devil will try to use. This has been initiated simply because a legitimate appetite was not being filled.

 

An Appetite For Companionship.

 

When a man is unfaithful to his wife, you can usually trace it back to an unfulfilled appetite. He has a hunger which is so strong, even the bitter may seem sweet to him. Now, it could be that his appetite is unreasonable. Some men with very good wives can be unfaithful because of their own weakness in allowing lust to gain an advantage over them. But wives have a responsibility to help their husband fill the just and reasonable appetites he may have. If not, some other woman may come along and exploit his vulnerability. The wife’s responsibility is to help the husband manage his appetite.

 

Suppose the doctor told your husband he had a rare condition and if he ate potatoes it would kill him. No loving wife would rush home and place a generous serving of French fries, baked potatoes, and creamed potatoes in front of him. Yet, sometimes that becomes a good analogy of what we do.

 

Men and women have appetites which they need to keep in control. But, God gave us each other so we might mutually assist each other in meeting our just and proper appetites. In so doing, we will not be as tempted by Satan’s bitter herbs.

We live in a world full of temptations, therefore:

 

We Must Feed The Spirit. We are compelled to avail ourselves of every opportunity to empower the spirit in maintaining and creating positive appetites. Saturating our life with prayer, Bible study, worship, and good music can go a long way in creating an atmosphere conducive to spiritual growth. However, it is also important to control our appetite in small things. As we learn to master the minor tempations it makes it far easier to master that which is mighty.

 

We Must Be On Constant Guard. Harmful influences which are allowed to come into our homes and lives can easily bring with them improper appetites. We often fail to take seriously the threat of the flesh. Paul struggled against it and so will we. There is great danger in underestimating its power.

 

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

James 1:14-15

 

Control Is About Saying “No”. Life is full of choices, we must make wise ones; and often the wisest choices are often the things you choose not to do.

 

For example, I dated a few girls in high school and college. Also, there were a few young ladies I would have liked to date, but was not given the opportunity. In looking back if you ask me, “Was the smartest thing you ever did to marry Sherry?” It may surprise you, but my answer would be “no.” The smartest thing was not marrying any of the others. Marrying the right person was one choice, not mistakenly marrying the wrong person (not that I necessarily had opportunity anyway) involved several choices. Had I messed up on saying “no” to myself one time, it would have circumvented the “yes” that has brought me multiplied years of happiness.

 

If I visit a buffet, they may have 200 items on their spread of great food. In order to truly enjoy my meal, I will say “no” to all but a few. Likewise, be on guard and be willing to say “no” to most things, and then devote every ounce of your strength to the few things you say “yes” to. This is a principle of life. It is also a principle every businessman must follow if he is to be successful. My life is a testimony of being enriched by the things I have rejected.

 

Learn The Power Of Temperance. This is the virtue which empowers all of the others. It is the great linchpin of moral stability.

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

 

Most every good thing you try to do will be undone without the temperance to control your appetites. The first experience with a sinful appetite can be thrilling and exciting. On the surface it may also appear to be quite harmless. But, the uncontrolled appetite can quickly become a powerful force. Most people who are addicted to bad habits never intended for it to get out of hand. All they wanted was one cigarette or one drink of liquor, but it quickly assumed complete control.

 

Every human appetite, even good ones, must be brought into subjection. We cannot become slaves to any form of indulgence. More families are destroyed, and more people die from drinking wine, than from drinking poison. So, it is not always the worst habits which can destroy us. Sometimes even that which appears to be innocent, unless under the constraints of temperance, can lead to deadly consequences. Therefore, we cannot afford to be in bondage to any habit. A life under the domination of the Holy Spirit will ensure a constant moderation of our appetites. The longer we tolerate an intemperate lifestyle, the more fervently the heart will seek temporal things. Perhaps an intemperate lifestyle is a window which exposes the true nature of the soul.

 

The history of mankind is a history of man reaching beyond proper limits; it is a history of appetites growing more Godless because the things man chooses to feed upon. We are accountable to God to deploy our appetites to His glory. Temperance is the key to nourishing the right things in life, while renouncing the feeding of fleshly appetites.

 

The key is to lead a disciplined life. In so doing, we will never get so full as to foolishly push aside the honeycomb. Likewise, we will never get so hungry as to feast upon that which is a detriment to our soul. A disciplined life will also make us more careful of the things we may place in front of a hungry person

 

Control your appetites. Lay a wholesome restraint upon your life every day. Practice self-denial as a constant manner of life and a sign of your spiritual maturity.   Then, recognize the legitimate appetites in your mate while helping them fulfill and control those appetites to the glory of Christ. Finally, we expand this concept to the entire body of Christ within our realm of influence, being always careful of what we may place in front of a hungry person.

Perhaps An Angel?

By Dr. T.D. Worthington

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Years ago, long before the foundations of this world were laid there was a meeting held of the Eternal Committee. Our Heavenly Father was on that committee. The second person of the Trinity, the One we know today as Jesus was on that committee. The blessed Holy Spirit also participated on that committee. I don’t know if there might have been observers to witness this meeting, perhaps Gabriel or Michael. But it was God who determined the agenda and outcome of the meeting. The meeting was to establish the Determinate Counsel of God. (Acts 2:23)

 

Long before the first fish swam in the sea and before the first bird was created to fly; our loving and wise Creator looked into the future and saw that man would fall. But God knew He would bestow an unconditional love upon man, so even before we were created, God determined a complex plan to save us.

 

The reason for this meeting was to devise a plan to pay for man’s sin and rebellion. Long before it was written in the Bible, the penalty for sin was death. Man sinned and someone had to pay that penalty. God’s righteousness demanded it. Man would have to pay his own debt unless someone could be found who was able and willing to pay the debt for him.

 

The problem seemed almost insurmountable. There would be no member of the fallen race who would be without sin. Man would be a sinner by choice, but also by birth. So, only someone untainted by human sin could come to earth and die for us.

 

Maybe God could send an angel to redeem sinful man. Perhaps Gabriel or Michael, as God’s faithful servants, would gladly volunteer for the task. But would that work? Angels are certainly powerful creatures. Why couldn’t God just send an angel to redeem us? Why should He have to send Jesus? Well, angels are pretty impressive, but they are not in a position to pay the price for man’s sin.

 

First, angels are spiritual beings that may appear in the form of men, but they are not flesh and blood as we are. Sure, we share some characteristics with angels, like being creatures with differing personalities and possessing a free will, but we are fleshly beings whereas they are spirit beings. As such, they have no blood to shed, and blood is an absolute requirement for atonement. “…without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22

 

Second, since angels are not human by type, they are not our kin, and redemption requires a kinship relationship between the redeemed and the redeemer. The entire book of Ruth develops this theme. Provision was made in the Law to render help for a person who was forced to sell himself into slavery. His nearest of kin could step in and “buy back” his freedom.   Four things were required in order for a kinsman to redeem: He must be near of kin, he must be able to redeem by having sufficient resources, he must be free of any need of redemption himself, and he must be willing to redeem. Once the price was completely paid the redemption was complete and freedom was restored.

 

Jesus was qualified through His incarnation. He was like us in every way except He never experienced sin. In order to identify Himself as a close relative of man, He took the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:7). Angels do not have nor may they assume human kinship, therefore they would be unable to assume our debt.

 

Third, only we humans are created in the image and likeness of God Genesis 1:26. This is said nowhere of angels. Humans were purposefully created for a unique relationship to God. We are designed to be sons (Galatians 4:6), whereas the angels are servants (Hebrews 1:14). As such, no angel meets the qualifications for a redeemer.

 

Fourth, redemption is recreation. Since only God can create and give life, only God can redeem and restore life. God made man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7); and resurrection is the same as creation, taking us back from the dust of the ground (1 Corinthians 15:51-57).

 

According to the Bible, it was Jesus who spoke the worlds into existence. John declares about Jesus: “All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3

Since Jesus shaped man in the Garden of Eden, He would be the One to restore man. Jesus said: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25

 

Fifth, an angel could not do the work of redemption because of the holiness of the law. What is sin according to the Bible’s definition? John makes it quite clear: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4 Sin is breaking God’s law, and the law is the reflection of His character in words. Since God’s law is as holy as God Himself, only a holy God could redeem man from its penalty. Angels may not have sinned, but that does not mean they are as perfect and holy as God. Therefore, only an actual member of the Godhead could redeem the fallen race, and not any created being.

 

Sixth, typifying our new birth into God’s family, Jesus is designated as the first born Son of God. In order to establish a family relationship with God (to be called the children of God), we had to be redeemed by a literal member of the Godhead. No one else would have the authority to birth us into the family of God, but one who was already a part of that family.

 

“For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29

 

Seventh, since man owes a debt to God he cannot pay, it would stand to reason only God could wipe that debt away. Our debt to God is measured by the quality and pricelessness of what we have broken. Imagine you have just broken a priceless antique vase in a museum. Could you pay for the damage you did? Man has broken God’s perfect standard of righteousness. Thus, we have nothing with which to pay such a great debt. We stand before Him in penniless insolvency with empty pockets and hands. No justification on our part will clear us. For us it is an unpayable debt. No one has the wealth or authority to wipe that debt away but God Himself.

Eighth, God does not want our praise and worship directed to angels. “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” Colossians 2:18

 

What would be the implications of worshipping an angel at Easter or during the Christmas season? If an angel redeemed us to God does that mean we would pray in an angel’s name? Could one angle indwell all believers as does the Holy Spirit?

A.W. Tozer once said concerning God and His angels, “I am a Bible Christian and if an archangel with a wingspread as broad as a constellation, shining like the sun, were to come and offer me some new truth, I’d ask him for a reference. If he could not show me where it is found in the Bible, I’d bow him out and say, ‘I’m awfully sorry. You don’t bring any references with you.’”

Ninth, an angel could not reveal God to man. Angels are pretty impressive, but they are not God. God’s greatest revelation of Himself to mankind is in Jesus Christ. Revelation is the disclosure of truth previously unknown. Before the coming of our Lord to earth many varied forms of revelation may have existed, but no manifestation of God was as clear and transparent as Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20.

Indeed, we have been given amazing and abundant revelations of the Almighty God, yet, none were set forth more clearly and fully than God’s final revelation of Himself in the Person of Christ. Since God is an infinite Being, no man could understand Him fully save the Son who is One in equality with the Father. When the Word became flesh He brought to man an adequate revelation of God. Whatever the ancient seers and saints knew about God before Jesus came; we have a more excellent revelation. Obviously, no mere angel could accomplish such a feat.

Tenth, an angel could not reveal man to man. Through His Incarnation Jesus Christ reveals man to himself. He shows us what we are and what we may become. Man is grossly ignorant of his real self, and that the mission of the Son’s coming included a plan that would enable man to see and know himself as God sees and knows him.

Man was created in the image of God; however, man did not retain God’s image and likeness. Man sinned and death began to do its work, and the grave for Adam was but a matter of time. When Adam defaced the Divine image and lost the Divine likeness, he begat sons “in his own likeness, after his image” Genesis 5:3. Yes, “by man came death” and “in Adam all die” I Corinthians 15:21- 22.

The coming of Christ to the earth revealed the heart of man in cruel hatred for Divine holiness. The Son of God was sinless in every respect, yet man, Jew and Gentile alike, crucified Him. The world, having seen the perfect light, turned from the light, for “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil’’  John 3:19.

Eleventh, an angel could not have defeated Satan. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same (flesh and blood); that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” Hebrews 2:14-15.

By the coming of Jesus Christ into the world, through His death and resurrection, He obtained the power of death from the Wicked One. Death no more holds its lethal grip upon the believer. Death once held man in the vise of hopeless doom, but now Satan is defeated.

Twelfth, an angel could not rule the earth. When the Incarnation had been announced, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, “…where is He that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him” Matthew 2:2. The steps in our Lord’s humiliation were temporary steps leading to a permanent exaltation, culminating with the bowing of every knee and the confessing of every tongue in heaven and in earth, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A perfect kingdom demands a perfect King. At the end of the conflict of the ages, Jesus Christ, the God-Man will return to earth to establish His righteous kingdom which will never be destroyed. His kingdom of glory, and His throne in the midst, was God’s first promise through the mouth of the angel Gabriel to Mary, and it links together the Incarnation and reign of the Son of God. (Luke 1:31-33)

Thirteenth, an angel could not restore creation. Though the salvation of man was God’s chief concern, His plan was never limited to the world of mankind. It is written of the eternal Son, who was with God and who is God, that “all things were made by Him” John 1:3. Now, through the sacrifice of Christ, creation will be restored to its former glory and beauty.

So, an angel could not do the work of redemption. Since Jesus was the one who created man with His own hands, He would be the one to redeem man, with His outstretched hands on Calvary! As you can see, Jesus is uniquely qualified to be our Saviour.

Although it is true that angels frequently appeared to take on human form in the Bible, it is important to note that they did not become human. These powerful appearances were not the equivalent of Jesus taking on humanity. He was born of a woman and grew into full adulthood like all of us. Angels, as created beings, appear to have been created at full maturity and without a biological process.

So, the plan was that God Himself would come to earth, become a man, and live on the earth for 33 years. During His visit to Earth He would never sin. He would never think, say, or do anything He shouldn’t. So, God became flesh, His name was Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He came to the Earth and lived a perfect life. And this was all planned by the Determinate Counsel of God before the foundation of the world.

So, an angel would not suffice. It was determined that Jesus Christ would go to the cross, and on that cross, He would pay our debt so we might live forever as the children of God.

Surrounded By Everyone I’ve Ever Loved

Dr. T. D. Worthington

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Several years ago Sherry and I started a new Christmas tradition for our family. Each year we would purchase a small tree to go in our hallway. We called it our memory tree. We began to purchase and place ornaments on the tree that would remind us of someone who touched our lives in a special way. Most of the folks honored on the tree are now with the Lord, yet they made a lasting impact upon our memory. It is always fun selecting a special ornament to symbolize someone’s life; a Christmas cow for a faithful friend who owned a dairy, a Christmas cupcake for a great cook, and a hairless Santa for a dear brother who boasted about the beauty of his bald head. We always get a live tree to remind us that these dear friends are still very much alive in Christ. The fresh smell of pine only adds to the celebration. We use old fashioned Christmas lights because we just don’t think they would approve of anything else. Garland and tinsel complete the masterpiece. The tree is always fun to decorate as it always brings back wonderful memories that time could easily erase. As we grow older it seems as if these memories are more important than ever.

 

Christmas has a way of stirring up memories that seem to hide during the rest of the year. Sometimes on a quiet December evening I like to sit in our living room. The tree is aglow with lights; the fireplace is bestowing its warmth, as soft Christmas music plays in the background. Sherry is at work in the kitchen, and the aroma of fresh baked cookies is in the air. I close my eyes and suddenly, in a magical moment, I feel as if I am surrounded by everyone I have ever loved. Do I hear granddad singing his favorite carols? Is that Mom baking in the kitchen? Could that be Dad bringing in the fresh cut tree he had secured to the top of the car? Do I hear our children busy wrapping the gifts they bought for each other?

 

There, in that quiet moment, I experience the wonderful peace that truly captures all that Christmas should be, something that can easily be lost in this hectic world. The moment is priceless.

 

There is a part of me that does not wish to open my tear soaked eyes because such precious moments are rare. For a fleeting moment I relived granddads excitement when opening the small gift given him by a child. I captured the look of contentment on Dad’s face when his lap was covered by a multitude of gifts from his grandchildren. I picture Mom asking me to taste the fruitcake to make sure it tasted “right” this year. I visualize our children one by one creeping down the stairs on Christmas morning. With flooding emotion I recall the many joyous Holiday seasons I have been privileged to enjoy with my darling wife. Should I dare open my eyes and clear this lump in my throat? No, I let this moment linger as I thank God for His many blessings. For this one small moment I am surrounded by everyone I have ever loved.

 

As I grow older I am finding it much harder to adapt to new things. I know much of the new technology is good, but I still long for the old ways, especially at Christmas. I miss the Sears catalog and looking at the large display windows of the downtown stores. I miss going to Western Auto to look at bicycles and BB guns. I miss the old fashioned dime store and the bag of warm peanuts Dad would always buy. I miss seeing everyone place their hands over their heart as the flag came by in the Christmas parade. I miss the longing gaze of a child’s eye when looking at a toy, a toy he dare not touch. Yet, the most wonderful memories were the hours spent with those you love. That’s what is really important. More memorable than any gifts I have ever received are those memories of such happy times when our family was able to be together and the house was full of fun and laughter.

 

Yet, for this special moment our living room is quite crowded tonight. For within this small room I sense a circle of people who God has used to help make me the person I am today. Family, friends, church members, Pastors, Deacons, co-laborers, neighbors, employers, and employees; they are all there on this cold winter’s eve. Each in their own way bringing a special warmth and glow to the season. I am strengthened by their memory. They are my forever friends. There is something peaceful when you are surrounded by everyone you have ever loved.

 

This encounter with the past leaves me with a stark reality; one day I will be someone’s memory. Our earthly lifespan is temporary, fleeting, and fragile. As we grow older we begin to feel our own impermanence more intensely. The fact that one day I will just be a memory to my grandchildren should give me the desire to carefully craft the legacy I will leave behind for them. My book of memories contains many pages, but one day the final chapter will be written. However, although my days of building memories are winding down, our grandchildren are just beginning to write their future memories, and I want to be included. Just as I still feel a strong cord still linking me to loved ones in Heaven, I want to be linked to them.

 

Perhaps on some quiet winter’s evening long after our Lord calls me home, the magic of Christmas will transport someone back in time. They will fondly recall tinsel on the tree, stockings hung by the fire, colorful packages begging to be shaken, and a sweet aroma coming from the kitchen. Then, at such a moment they will feel themselves surrounded by the warm glow of the memories of everyone they have ever loved. It will be a grand honor to know that I could be included. Oh, the priceless gift of being invited to such a wondrous event.

 

Perhaps this season should also make us all a bit more evangelistic.   For as wonderful as our thoughts and memories of Christmas may be, they in no wise compare with the celebration our Lord has prepared for us in eternity. There, in that celestial city as the saints of God gather around the throne of our Saviour, would that not be a wonderful place to be surrounded by everyone we have ever loved?   Should we not do everything in our power to make sure others know about the greatest gift ever given? Should we not remind them we only go to heaven because of another tree, that tree being the cross of Calvary?   Let’s seize the opportunities this season may afford to reach those that may be ready to learn about the Christ we celebrate.

The Sensitive Soul

By Dr. T.D. Worthington

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We are living in a messed up world. It seems as if the things that should bother us don’t, while the things that should not bother us will prompt us to choose up sides and go brain dead.

 

For example, a troublesome fish known as the Asian carp may get a new name. You see some folks in Minnesota think the name may place people from Asian cultures in a negative light. Good grief! I suppose the white perch and black drum will be next on the list while the Spanish mackerel better find a more acceptable moniker.

 

Then we learn of the Principal of a Portland school who has determined that eating a sandwich made with bread is racist. Do I have this right, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is racist? Apparently so, the enlightened principal states that certain students belonging to minority groups may not have culturally eaten bread, but instead used things like tortas, or pitas. So, we need to scrap our bread in order to remove what she calls “white privilege.” Can somebody say “get a life?”

 

As many office workers know, when utilizing two or more networked computers we often call one the “master” and all others the “slaves”. However, Los Angeles officials have asked manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors to stop using those terms saying such words are unacceptable and offensive. Apparently, some unidentified worker spotted a videotape machine carrying devices labeled “master” and “slave” and filed a discrimination complaint. It is ironic that the master is also called the “server,” but I am not sure how that fits in. Perhaps it’s time for the servers to demand their rights from the parasitic slaves, also.

 

Lately we have learned that anything even remotely associated with the War Between the States or the Confederate battle flag is now taboo. The “Dukes of Hazard” is offensive, while much of the evil heroes touted on the toy isle and witches and goblins of Halloween are perfectly fine.

 

Nike got in trouble for putting a design on a shoe that some Muslims thought resembled the name Allah. Nike eventually negotiated a settlement with a leading Muslim group. They apologized for any unintentional offense, recalled all products carrying the design, introduced training for Nike designers in Islamic imagery, and agreed to investigate how the offensive design was not caught before production was started. I guess the shoes didn’t have quite enough soul to merit such an image.

 

McDonald’s is another corporation that committed a social and religious goof. In fear of offending Muslims, the Singapore restaurants pre-emptively deleted a pig from a series of promotional animal toys it had created to depict every sign in the Chinese zodiac. This time it was the Chinese who were infuriated. Those born under the sign of the pig were upset. They demanded their beloved pig be reinstated, and blasted McDonald’s for cultural insensitivity. It is an example of a classic “no-win-scenario.”

 

Good grief! You have got to be kidding. We’re talking about pigs. We’ve gone far beyond cultural sensitivity and taken residence directly into the hysterical kingdom of Nutdom. It all makes us look so juvenile and stupid. It appears we can no longer handle any differences in opinion or taste and let’s face it; that’s just pathetic.

 

The politically correct mandate is that if you are a white, male, Christian or Jewish, heterosexual, financially stable, able-bodied, politically conservative, mentally competent, relatively attractive, non-abused, English-speaking legal American citizen who has a job and feels you were born with the correct body parts; then you are, by default, biased, prejudiced, and oppressively racist. Anything you say or any opinion you may have only serves to marginalize and harm everyone else. So, it is always best for you to just stay quiet.

 

By default, the less you are like the person just described the more valuable your opinions become. This is why it is unacceptable to say something bad about someone “less privileged,” even if they are looting stores, strapping bombs to children, or beheading Christians.

A Desensitized Culture.

 

What does it say about our culture when abortion is acceptable but wishing someone a Merry Christmas is not? We are sensitive to the wrong stuff while being totally insensitive to issues of greater importance. For example, when the graphic video of a Planned Parenthood executive describing how abortionists intentionally dismantle children in order to sell their organs to the highest bidder was released, you would expect normal people with one ounce of morality to demand action. But, it didn’t happen. How did our discernment of the important get so far off?

 

Suppose you woke up one morning and you noticed that your arm was numb. At first, you might assume you just slept on it the wrong way, but if the numbness persisted your concern would likely lead you to visit a physician. What do you suppose your doctor might do? Would he take your numbness seriously and order a battery of tests to find out the root of the problem, or would he inform you that your numbness should be considered a blessing because your arm would never hurt again? The answer is obvious.

However, not only do we have a physical nervous system, we also have a spiritual nervous system and numbness in either one is a sign of a problem. Just as our body registers pain should we touch something hot, our spiritual nervous system sounds an alarm when exposed to error. The trouble is we have become desensitized to sin. Curse words that used to shock us ceased shocking us years ago, and now even the most deviant behavior often escapes our notice. The legitimate moral center of our culture has eroded.

 

A Desensitized Church.

 

Some people believe that religion is what is needed to restore our moral compass. However, it is obvious to most of us that the modern church is just as mixed up as the rest of the world. We have digressed so far from the fundamentals of the faith, that the modern church bears little resemblance to her historic roots. Modern perverted Bibles fill many pews and pulpits, the marriage and ordaining of gays has been declared the will of God, while politically correct socialist theology has become the modern minister’s message. Furthermore, simply paying our debts has become the great commission of many churches.

 

Perhaps we could call the syndrome a form of burnout. Burnout is the consequence of a continual exposure to something which eventually produces a form of numbness. It is like listening to the same song over and over until you become tired of hearing the same sound patterns and combinations, eventually you will cease to really “listen.” When the Holy Spirit speaks and we ignore Him, He will usually speak again. However, if we continue to ignore His voice, even if He continues speaking, it will become easier and easier to tune out His words.

 

For example, if we ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit when He says, “You need to be more faithful in church” or “You should be tithing,” we will be prone to ignore that same voice when He says “That music does not glorify Christ” or “That man is not preaching the truth.” You see, the Holy Spirit does not raise His voice or shout, therefore if we ignore His still small voice in small things we will be desensitized to hearing His voice regarding more important things. That is why we call it “burnout.” Many marriages and churches are in trouble today because we ignored the Lord in what we might call smaller things, thus we failed to hear His voice in things more important. Perhaps the leaders of our country have fallen into the same trap.

 

Without sensitivity to the Holy Spirit there is no fear of the Lord. There is no excitement in His Word, in His grace, or in His sacrifice. We will receive no abiding instruction to use as our guide in the confusing maze of life. Sure we believe in God, but compromise has flooded the church. Compromise entered one perverted Bible at a time, one song at a time, one doctrine at a time, one person at a time, and proceeded to uproot the solid foundations of the faith.

 

Of course, a church is more than an organization, it is a living organism. The church retreated from its biblical roots because individuals in the church became desensitized to the voice of the Spirit.

 

Violence Desensitized Us.

 

We have seen so much violence we have developed a burnout, an insensitivity to it. Murders once made headlines for weeks. But now we are bombarded by horrific images every day. The ability to use computer generated life-like images has allowed video game creators and movie producers to create incredibly realistic violence. As Christians, we sometimes judge this as being acceptable since it isn’t real, but it still damages our discernment while increasing our appetite for violence. Every time someone is appalled by something, it will take something worse to thrill them the next time. That is the nature of burnout. Of course, more violence is apparently what we want. If more people would watch cows grazing in the meadow than people shooting each other, that is what the video game and movie producers would create.

Do you remember Alfred Hitchcock? This strange fellow could frighten people out of their skin without the use of gore. However, that doesn’t work anymore.   Edgar Allen Poe once frightened adults, now his stories are read by school students. The Twilight Zone used to freak people out, but that is kindergarten stuff compared with what we have today. Parents used to protect their children from these scenes, but now choose violent video games as an acceptable means of childhood entertainment.

 

Of course, most people playing video games or watching a blood bath in a movie will never resort to real violence, yet the point is that we have become so desensitized to the violence that it doesn’t bother us anymore. That is a form of burnout.

 

Sexuality Desensitized Us.

Less than eighty years ago a woman in a one piece bathing suit was considered to be immodestly dressed. Then about 70 years ago, most moral people were appalled by a swimsuit called the bikini. Today, many Christians allow their teenage daughters to wear them. To be honest, today we see school children attending class in clothing that would have been against school policy just a few years ago. Modesty is the product of a by-gone era.

 

Even pornography of the past was relatively mild when compared to the graphic movies of today. Again, this is caused by burnout. A young man might look at relatively mild pictures until they no longer excite him. So, the pornographers accommodate by displaying more graphic scenes just to produce the same thrill. Instant internet pornography gives a good example of burnout. Some men have reported that after years of addiction to pornography, they become completely desensitized so they must move into harder and harder content just to get the same feeling. Eventually, nothing will satisfy their lust, including real romantic relationships. We can only wonder how many marriages are suffering today in their intimate relationships because the man has become desensitized and cannot find thrill in a non-fictionalized air brushed relationship.

 

Materialism Desensitized Us.

 

People used to find joy in simple things. There was a time when children could find joy in building a make-believe world with a few sticks and empty tin cans. Today, even for our children, it takes more and more to get that sense of joy that simple things used to give.

 

Then, as we grow up we need elaborate toys to produce even a meager amount of enjoyment. We have experienced a form of pleasure burnout. It might do us well to remember that normal middle class people live better than royalty lived a few hundred years ago. Yet, somehow that is not enough to make us happy.

 

The Work of the Holy Spirit.

 

What kind of people are so desensitized that ripping babies apart for personal profit seems acceptable? Could it be they are sociopaths suffering from a form of mental illness that has perverted their sense of right and wrong?   Are these sick souls’ mere reprobates who are so mentally dysfunctional they cannot recognize common decency? How did the moral compass of some of the leaders of our society become so far off? Then, what might be done to stop them from dragging our whole nation into judgment?

It is also difficult to witness many of our young people making foolish and destructive decisions. The choices they often make are immature and irresponsible. Yet, they take no thought of their actions and the consequences they will face (consider the student loan dilemma). Eventually, the law of sowing and reaping will come into play. How can we help them?

 

As always, the answer lies in the house of God. Lost people do not have our ability to recognize and correct foolishness and indiscretions. As God’s people, we have also been desensitized, but we don’t have to remain that way. With some dedicated work, our conscience can be re-trained. We must get back to the basic truths of God’s Word. We must find a quiet place and retune our hearts to hear the voice of God. Our Lord didn’t neglect giving us the guidance we would need in order to remain sensitive in distinguishing good from evil, even in today’s wicked world. We have simply neglected to recognize our numbness and pursue the cure. We have grown accustomed to applying the Word of God to only a narrow slice of life, this must change.

The danger is real. It is already affecting our families, our churches, and our nation. The more desensitized and incapable of rational thought we become, the easier it will become to be controlled by evil influences; some from the physical world and others from the spiritual. Our goal is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit which will grant us the mind of Christ. Being so equipped, we will be sensitive to the way of truth even in a desensitized world.