Complacency has attacked most people in one area. Complacency is the inability to have motivation and bring about a result of change, which then prevents us from walking out the fullness of our destiny.
As believers, there are many things that need to be done if we desire to see revival. When we have done nothing for so long, how do we change our behavior patterns, habits and wrong thoughts?
Complacency can only be broken off of our lives by effort. It is through walking in the Spirit and binding and restricting actions of our flesh (Gal. 5:16), that we can move forward in the life Christ has called us to live. By taking every thought captive, making it submit to the Word of God and casting it down (2 Cor. 10:4-5), we can and will overcome our flesh and learn to walk in the Spirit and activate our faith. Proverbs discusses the results of a lazy man. We must not be slothful in our ways (Prov. 18:9). There is much work to be done for the kingdom.
When we have been one way for so long how to we break out of those complacent ways? One of the ways is by having reverential fear of the Lord (Is. 11:2), being obedient and disciplined to carry out His instructions. We should love our Father so much that we desire to co-labor with Him in the kingdom advancement that needs to take place. As we grow in our walk with the Father, the fear of the Lord will come upon us.
As we renew our minds to the Word of God, we will see that God wants us to activate our faith and go out and make disciples (Matt. 28:19).
What if the very person who spoke to you about a relationship with the Lord was complacent? Where would you be now?
People do nothing about their finances because they wait for “their ship to come in.” We cannot have the same attitude about not starting a ministry, writing career, going back to college, getting a job or whatever God is calling us to do. We shouldn’t have the attitude of “Someday I’ll do it.” We need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit what we should be doing today to bring it forth and then do it.
Getting rid of complacency is doing something you don’t feel like doing. It is motivating yourself even when you don’t feel like it. It is an act of obedience. When you desire to break complacency off of your life, it is difficult. Complacency says, “Do nothing.” You have to resist the very thought in your mind.
Complacency is a temporary satisfaction of the flesh that will go away. You are making your flesh and your mind comfortable for that moment of time. When you think about the results of what you should be doing, it will manifest lasting results. If you are being complacent by watching television instead of doing a home repair, you got to laugh or watch a show for an hour. When you get up and do a home repair, you get to enjoy that for years to come. People in your family are blessed by seeing something fixed and not an eye sore, or a fresh coat of paint on the wall.
Complacency is really focusing inward. It is conveying that what I want to do is more important, than what you want me to do. Complacency conveys, “I don’t want to go to the mall and shop with you. I desire to stay here and be on social media or watch a movie.” Complacency can cause disunity in a marriage, between not wanting to do the same things, inactivity and lack of productivity.
The complacent spouse can think the other spouse is controlling, because they are always saying to do something or go somewhere. It is not control. A complacent person doesn’t want to be told what to do and lacks motivation to go places. It’s more comfortable for them to simply stay home.
Christians are complacent in their time with God. They use excuses, such as: “I don’t understand my Bible.” Seldom do they desire to study their Bible and press in for revelation like they would a college exam. Lack of motivation will prevent them from learning the deeper things of God.
There is a false expectancy that it should be easier, so they quit and give up instead of reading their Bible daily. They settle for a little bit of God time instead of growing in their walk in exuding the fullness of God. Complacency satisfies and settles where you shouldn’t.
Complacency will get us stuck in a rut. When you are stuck in a rut with a vehicle, it’s difficult to get out. You have to work that vehicle back and forth. The same goes with complacency. You make a little progress, but then you slide back. Don’t get stuck in a rut and miss what God has for you.
The Holy Spirit can convict you, but it’s your job to get up and activate on the instructions He gives you. Activate today! Activate in your job, in your devotional time with God, in your marriage and release the productivity and ambition that is in you to advance the kingdom.
Kathy DeGraw is the founder of DeGraw Ministries, a prophetic ministry releasing the love and power of God, igniting people in the prophetic and releasing people from emotional bondage. She’s passionate about teaching people the power of prayer through declaring. She speaks at conferences and travels hosting evangelistic love tours. She has written her own prophetic and deliverance training manuals in order to assist other ministries. She is the founder of Change into Colorless, an anti-racism corporation and co-pastors a church. Kathy is the author of Spiritual Warfare Declarations, A Worship Woven Life, Time to Set the Captives Free, and Flesh, Satan or God. Connect with Kathy at degrawministries.org.
