COMPLACENCY AND THE CULTURAL MAZE

While the complacent and indifferent righteous nap, their secure world has warped and slid into a Cultural Maze. 

*   Politicians offer their watered down solutions to appeal to a broadened voter base. 

*  Mega-Church representatives straddle the proverbial fence in order to maintain a broad support base. 

*   Government Regulations are designed to impact a near-dormant society with restrictions that stifle creativity and initiative. 

The wretchedness that prevails within the Cultural Maze is described by a Biblical passage — Proverbs 6:6–11, “Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest — Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man.” It seems as though the nation, culture, religion and indifference has occurred. Now we await the full reaping of the consequences for the actions and inactions of the complacent and indifferent. How will the nation/you escape the dark and vast cultural maze?

In some Bible Translations, Proverbs 6 has a Heading. In the NIV, it is: Warnings Against Folly. In the ESV, it is: Practical Warnings. The NASB heading is: Parental Counsel. The KJV is: Warnings Against Foolishness. The detail of the Chapter has two emphases that should be studied and understood. 

One section describes the worthless and conniving person in Proverbs 6:12-15 - - -

“A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord;  therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.”

A second passage describes the things that are obnoxious to God and which arouse His hatred toward seven behaviors – Proverbs 6:16-19 - - - There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 

(1) haughty eyes (pride), 

(2) a lying tongue (deception),  

(3) hands that shed innocent blood, 

(4) a heart that devises wicked plans, 

(5) feet that make haste to run to evil, 

(6) a false witness who breathes out lies, and 

(7) one who sows discord among brothers.

At the very least, we should make it a point to echo the Prayer of the Psalmist – Psalm 140:1-3 (NLT) - - - 

“O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent, those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long. Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips.”

Consider These Things With Me.