Comfortably Numb

 

  What have we become? A society who has fallen into a desensitized state of reality, awareness, responsibility, and spirituality. A divided society of people who live their lives by tradition and competition rather than wisdom and common sense. We have become "comfortably numb" in the ways of the world. Lets begin our study in the book of Ephesians, and see what the apostle Paul warns us about.

  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. (Ephesians 4:17). The unsaved who are blinded and confused through the greed and vanity of the world. Today, it appears that even those who think they are saved, let the ways of the world dictate their lifestyles.

  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. (Ephesians 4:18). They have closed hearts full of darkness, and have become desensitized to truth, shutting their minds to God because they do not understand His ways.

  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Ephesians 4:19). They don't care anymore about right or wrong as long as they get ahead. Do what ever it takes no matter who gets hurt. "Not only greedy, but spiritually dead!" Forget what God says, as long as we keep up with the other guy. Still the same attitude, "he who has the most toys wins."

  Why have we become so spiritually dead in today's society? Because our eyes and ears have become anesthetized to truth. We have lost all sensation, feeling and lack of interest when it comes to God's Word. Something Christ said to the disciples about the people. For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Matthew 13:15). Waxed over! Their eyes were closed because they did not care. Just as many do not care today. They have time for everything the world has to offer, but little time to study and search for truth in God's Word. Their ears have become dull, closed to truth, even though the prophets and disciples of Christ had many things to say. (Hebrews 5:11). They just listen to their priest or pastor without ever checking them out in the Word of God. They become "comfortably numb" with false teachings and traditions of men.

  Lets go to the book of John when Jesus heals a blind man. To set the stage, the people bring the blind man, "who now can see," to the Pharisees. The Pharisees believe in the resurrection, follow the traditional law, and are so Pius looking in their dress. So, the man that was healed by Christ tells the Pharisees what had happened and they wanted the man to give the credit to God because they were calling Jesus a sinner. (John 9:24). After harassing the man about the healing from Christ, the man finally gets under their skin a little. He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? (John 9:27). "Look!" The man said. I have already told you once. Didn't you listen? Why do I have to keep repeating myself? Do you want to become one of His disciples too? This man knew they didn't want to, but he asked the question anyway. "Maybe a little sarcasm here on the mans part." I think he knew that this would upset them a little. Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. (John 9:28). So, they cursed the man and said," You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses! A little "holier than thou" answer from the Jewish leaders. The man was not only rebuked, but abused. Just as you will be if you teach the truth. (1 Corinthians 4:12). Be patient with those who abuse us as Christ did. (1 Peter 2:23). Christ did not retaliate when He was insulted. He did not threaten revenge when He suffered. Everything that happened to Christ was God's will and He carried it out. This may be a little hard for us at times, but we can only try to do your best. 

  Now with the Pharisees being a little upset they tell  the man; We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. (John 9:29). We know about God speaking to Moses, but we don't even know where this man comes form. They didn't know because they never really studied the scriptures. It was written! Moses knew about the coming messiah. Why didn't they? (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Now, the man continues to argue his point in favor of Jesus being of God and healing him. The Pharisees were really upset now because they thought the man was trying to teach them. "In a way he was." So, of course the Pharisees cast him out. (John 9:30-34). As Jesus was talking to the man about coming into the world for the spiritual blind to see, some of the Pharisees heard what Jesus was saying and said to Jesus; "Are we blind also?" (John 9:35-40). Lets see how Jesus answers the Pharisees.

  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. (John 9:41). i.e. "If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," "but you remain blind because you claim you can see." The Pharisees claimed to know God, but they didn't. You see, if you claim to know God but you don't know Jesus, you are deceiving yourself. "Just like the Pharisees." A good play on (1 John 1:8-10). If we say we will never sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. Many believe that once you are saved you cannot sin. Not so! We are all sinners as long as we are in these flesh bodies. If we confess our sins we can count on God to wash away all our sins, because Christ became that one time sacrifice for our sins. If we say we have not sinned, we are lying to ourselves and we are calling God a liar, because He said we have all sinned. i.e. the Pharisees were addicted to the law, spiritually blind, and "numb" to the truth. Paul would some it up real nice in the book of Corinthians.

  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. (1 Corinthians 3:18). Any man who thinks he is so wise by this worlds standards is just deceiving himself. (Galatians 6:3, 1 John 1:8). It is better to become a strong Christian "whom the world thinks are fools," but are righteous in God's eyes. (Proverbs 3:5, Romans 12:16, 1 Corinthians 4:10).

  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. (1 Corinthians 3:19). The wisdom of this world means nothing and is just foolish to God. God traps the worldly wise in a trap of their own cleverness. (Isaiah 44:25, Romans 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 1:19-20, 2:6). 

  And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (1 Corinthians 3:20). "God knows the thoughts of the worldly wise; and knows that they are worthless." (Psalm 94:11, Romans 1:21).

  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; (1 Corinthians 3:21). Don't get all puffed up and boast about a particular man, pastor, priest or teacher of the word. (1 Corinthians 3:4-7, 4:6). "All knowledge belongs to Christ." (Romans 4:13, 8:28, 8:32). In other words, people have become "comfortably numb" in the ways of the world. Jesus Himself would address this in the letters to the seven churches. Lets go to the book of Revelation.

  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14). Amen meaning "That's That" or it is complete. One who stands firm, the faithful and true witness, the primary source of God's creation.
   
  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (Revelation 3:15). Always trying to please everyone, afraid to offend anybody because it may drive them out of the church. It is good to teach the truth of the Word because it weeds out the non-believers.
   
  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16). God does not like it when you are just lukewarm and spiritually dead. You must teach the truth and not be afraid to do so. Remember, it's the "truth that sets you free." (John 8:32).
   
  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17). They may be financially rich, but are spiritually dead and blind to the truth. "Comfortably numb by worldliness and materialism, but naked in righteous acts." (Revelations 19:8).
   
  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3:18). Spiritual gold that is refined truth from Christ. Eye salve, or spiritual medicine to see the truth.
   
  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Revelation 3:19). Christ will continually discipline and punish everyone He loves till they turn from their indifferences and become enthusiastic about the things of God, not things of the world. "The Word of God is living and active." (Hebrews 4:12).
   
  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20). Christ will not beg people to be saved and we can't either. When you hear Him calling you need to answer, and then He will come and fellowship with you. Conversion comes from within!
   
  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21). To all that conquer He will let sit beside Him on the throne, just as He conquered and took His place with the Father on His throne.
   
  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:22). This is what the spirit is saying to those who have an ear to hear. "Those who finally wake up from being desensitized to the truth." i.e. Be spirit minded. (Romans 8:5). Do you have ears to hear, or have you become "comfortably numb?"

Keep The Faith,
Barton