POST-VICTORY COMPLACENCY
If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT)
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.
Hebrews 2:1 (NLT)
Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family.
Judges 8:27 (NLT)
It's very easy for us to fall into the trap of being so caught up in enjoying a victory in our lives that we let our guard down and do things that seem right in the moment, only to find later that it reveals a moment of our own complacency. Gideon found himself in this very kind of situation. What he had planned for good, to honor God, had turned into a new idol for the Israelites and a trap for both Gideon and his family. For a moment, Gideon's focus turned to trying to honor God with stuff, when all God was seeking was Gideon's continued obedience. The God of the entire universe doesn't need our worldly stuff; He seeks a relationship with us, one marked by humility, dependence and active participation in His work.
As citizens of Heaven, men and women alike, we must protect ourselves from complacency. God wants us to live in victory. He also wants us to be prepared and fully aware of the next battle we will face. So, we stay connected to God through the Spirit Jesus has given us and watch our steps so that we don't trip and fall. We remember the victories Christ has given and seek His preparation as we journey. We continue this in faith and obedience, tearing down all idols that keep us from honoring God. Complacency often shows up in the quiet moments of life, when things are just going on, so we must stay on guard!
APPLICATION: Examine your life today and ask God to reveal where you may be complacent or have begun to build idols that block your progress in kingdom work! Seek Jesus to show you your steps to protect you from spiritual complacency.
PRAYER: Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight. My Lord, my Rock, my Redeemer! Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?