Stop Being A Spritual Wimp

1 Corinthians 8:4-6 (KJV)

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Many times we as Christians feel that we have to hide who we are just to get along with those around us. We don’t want to stand out. We want to fit in. We make compromises. Or we act superior because we have been a Christian for a long time and we think that we can do whatever we want. But what is the correct way we are to act as Christians?

Many Christians will hide who they are. This is especially true when it comes to the work place. We are told to leave our religion at the door when we come in. Or they feel uncomfortable letting others know what they are Christians.

We go to the store and we see someone from church. We go the other way because this person will want to talk about Jesus right there in the store. Or we tell them that we are in a hurry. We don’t want to leave the comfort zone of our lives. The thinking is that God is good for church, but nowhere else in our lives. We want to keep our Christian life separate from our everyday life.

But Jesus says that we are not to do this:

Luke 8:16-18 (KJV)

16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Mark 4:21-25 (KJV)

21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

Christ himself says in these parables we are to shine. We are not to hide what we are. Even if we do hide the fact that we are Christians it will be found out at some point anyway. As Jesus said, “for there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither is any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad”. (Mark 4:22)

Then there are those that will make compromises. We tell others that what they are doing is wrong, but we allow them to do those things anyway. We look the other way. Or we just “fail” to notice what they did. We tell them to go ahead and do it, but we don’t have a part in it. We salve our consciences by telling them they are wrong. And when we know that they have done it, we say that we had no knowledge of what they were doing.

The problem with that type of thinking is that the courts would not see it that way. If someone robs a bank and they tell someone about it, that person is still as guilty as if they had done themselves. They may not have been there, but they knew that it was going to happen. If they do not tell the police and it is found out they knew, THEY ARE JUST AS GUILTY. It is like they had done it, too.

That is what God says in Ezekiel 33. When the watchman sees coming trouble, he is supposed to do something about it. He is supposed to blow a trumpet. He is supposed to warn others that trouble is coming. If the watchman does not do this, then all the blood shed of those that are under his care will be placed upon his head and hands. He is just as guilty of killing them as those that did the killing.