What practical steps can we take to avoid complacency in our spiritual lives? The Scene in Nahum 2:5: A Wake-Up Call “ He summons his nobles, who stumble on their way. They hasten to its wall; the protective shield is set in place.” (BSB) Nineveh’s leaders scramble at the last moment—tripping over themselves, hurriedly throwing up defenses that should have been ready long before the attack. Their panic exposes the cost of complacency. If the mighty Assyrian capital could be caught napping, so can we. Spotting the Danger of Spiritual Complacency • Confidence in past victories instead of present obedience • Neglect of daily disciplines because “nothing seems urgent” • Dullness toward sin—little compromises that quietly erode zeal • Forgetting that an unseen enemy “prowls around like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8) Complacency turns spiritual warriors into sleepy nobles. The enemy does not announce his arrival; he is already at the gate. Practical Steps toward Vigilant Faith 1. Keep the Armor On • “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11) • Daily, deliberate prayer through each piece—truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, Word. 2. Establish Non-Negotiable Scripture Intake • Joshua 1:8 calls us to meditate “day and night.” • Aim for a set place and time; read until something grips the heart, not until a quota is met. 3. Maintain an Alert Heart • “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) • Use short, hourly “heart checks”: Am I thankful? Pure? Dependent on the Spirit? 4. Cultivate Relentless Repentance • Revelation 3:3 warns Sardis to “remember what you have received and heard; keep it and repent.” • Act immediately on conviction—confess, turn, replace the sin with obedience. 5. Build Gospel-Centered Accountability • “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) • Meet regularly with at least one trusted believer who asks how your soul is, not just your schedule. 6. Serve on the Front Lines • 1 Peter 4:10—use gifts “as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” • Active service keeps faith muscles warm and the mind engaged in Kingdom purposes. 7. Guard the Gates of Thought and Time • “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23) • Filter media, conversations, and habits through Philippians 4:8—whatever is true, honorable, just, pure. 8. Pursue Incremental Spiritual Growth • 2 Peter 1:5-8 calls for adding virtue upon virtue “so that you will not be ineffective or unfruitful.” • Set quarterly goals (e.g., memorize a Psalm, fast monthly, read a biography of a faithful believer). Living on the Wall, Not Behind It The nobles of Nineveh scrambled because they had drifted. Our calling is different: stay on the wall, alert and equipped, long before the trumpet sounds. Vigilance is not frantic but steady—eyes fixed on the Lord, hands ready for the work, hearts eager for His return. |
    |