De-Sensitized to Sin
A Native American explanation for a seared conscience goes
like this: The conscience is a three cornered wheel inside the
breast. When a person does something bad, it rotates and the
sharp points cause pain. If a person continues to do those things,
which cause the wheel to rotate, it will eventually round off
the sharp points. When this happens, doing something bad that
causes the wheel to rotate will no longer cause pain. However
we explain it, one thing is certain, a seared conscience is symptomatic
of those who have departed the faith (1 Tim. 4:1-3; Jude 3).
The problem Christians face is one of remaining righteously
indignant toward evil. Peter described Lot as one who was, "...
sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked" (2
Pet. 2:7-8). Initially, the evil of wicked men distresses us,
vexes our righteous souls. However, prolonged exposure to the
lascivious life of the wicked causes our consciences to become
callused.
Over time, we grow accustomed to the evil around us. We 'adjust'
and there is no more adverse reaction.
Through TV and other means, we invite adultery, fornication,
nakedness, cursing and blasphemy of God into our homes and are
not shocked by it. We call it entertainment. We hear of a public
official violating the public trust by overtly sinning and say,
"Everybody is doing it." We allow the homosexual life
style to go unchallenged and say, "If they want to live
that way...." We have become 'street-wise' and speak of
illicit sex, drug abuse and every sort of wickedness with ease.
It is evident that Christians have become desensitized to sin.
Sin is a horrible thing. It separates man from God (Isa. 59:1-2).
It robs man of the opportunity to be with the Lord Jesus Christ
(John 8:21). It will cause the eternal soul of man to be cast
into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Rev. 20:14-15;
21:8).
Christians have no choice but to live in this evil world.
We do have a choice of whether or not we will let the evil affect
us. If we aren't vexed in our soul daily by what we observe,
then we are doomed! Are you keeping yourself "unspotted
from the world?" (James 1:27) -- Glen Young
The wedding was about to begin. The groom was nervous. The
bride was radiant. The guests were in their places. I was trying
to calm the anxiety stricken groomsmen.
Then the father of the bride caught my attention. Serene.
Pensive. Almost tearful. "I wonder when the last time was
that I picked her up and held her," he said. "I mean
the very last time. I don't remember. I only know that if I would
have realized that it was the last time to hold my little girl,
I would have held her longer, tighter, and with more feeling."
"The Last Time!" Those are serious words. The last
football game for the quarterback. The last work day for the
retiree. The last kiss for the widow. The last time. What if
you were to invest your energy into every day 
as
if it were your last day? How would it be different from the
routine? Think of the automatic change this would make in most
of our relationships with parents, children, spouse, friends.
Are there feelings in your heart that are destined to stay
locked inside? The body in the coffin does not hear the words
of the loved one standing beside it. Whoever the writer of Hebrews
was, he certainly understood this principle. "Today if you
hear his voice, harden not your heart" (3:7). "...encourage
one another, as long as it is called today" (3:13).
Today there may be opportunities which may never come again.
Doors may be open today which tomorrow may be shut. There will
be a last hug for all of us. ...A last church service....A last
singing of a favorite hymn....A last kiss....A last goodbye....A
last hug.
-Terry Bell (The Admonisher, Bossier City, Louisiana)
