Bible Bites
Desensitized Believer
I’m almost embarrassed over spending so much of my life thinking that way. All that stuff seems so petty now. Once I thought those things were fundamental and important to God. I guess I have been liberated in my thinking. God has bigger things to worry about and so do I. I’m finished with the small stuff.”
Did Lot eventually laugh at the simple life Abraham was living? Lot had moved up in the world. He parted company with Uncle Abe and headed towards the city. Sure, Sodom was known for its wickedness but, as an urban hub, it sure offered more opportunities than out there on the plains living the simple farming life. “Poor Uncle Abe, I would never say it to his face, but I am amused that he takes God so literally and looks for Him in every detail of his life.”
Lot did his networking in the city; made his impressions; and climbed the ladder. The air of sophistication that comes with the city is sort of nice. Once you get into the groove and adapt to the pace and the urbane mentality – it can be quite appealing – intoxicating in fact. Your old friends are still great folk but increasingly they seem ‘dated’ and ‘backward’ in their perspective. You are so much more ‘with it’!
Maybe he didn’t get there by a civic election landslide victory. Perhaps it was just his charisma and business acumen that landed him a seat in the ‘gate’ – the place of municipal authority.
“and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.”
Genesis 19:1
If the truth were known, the wisdom that earned him respect was probably the influence of Godly Abraham in earlier years.
How desensitized Lot had become as he rose to prominence in Sodom. How insidious is the process of letting go your spiritual beliefs and embracing the values of the world. It all seems so natural and gradual – no cause for alarm.
When men with raging lust pounded at Lot’s door wanting the two visitors to spend the night with them, what did Lot do?
“I have two daughters who have not known any man.
Let me bring them out to you.”
Genesis 19:8
Unbelievably, he offered them his daughters. How warped a believer’s perspective inevitably becomes when we start dismissing Scriptural principles we once firmly believed – once we let go of beliefs in exchange for acceptance in other circles and the thinking of our new set of friends.
Lot even failed to see the urgency of impending judgment. Lot wasn’t the one who said: “Who else do I know and love in this city that needs to be rescued from coming judgment?” The two messengers were much more concerned about their fate than Lot was. He had become desensitized even to God’s message of coming judgment.
The messengers could see that Lot was just not getting it. No urgency despite their warnings.
“But he lingered.”
Genesis 19:16
The messengers literally seized Lot and dragged him out of the city.
Desensitized to God’s interests and priorities.
Is the world making major inroads into your thinking? Has your perspective ‘broadened’ over the years to the point where the things of God seem purely idealistic, ethereal and of no earthly value in your life? Face it – it’s the sinister effects of desensitization.
Flee to your knees. Face God. Break open your Bible. Linger not in the world but in the Word.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ
Peter Ramsay