It is easy to be complacent when we are comfortable and safe. In The Lord of the Rings, author J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional hobbits are depicted as living complacent lives before suddenly finding themselves in dangerous circumstances, and actor Elijah Wood—who starred in film adaptations of Tolkien’s books—commented that complacency is “never a good place to be working from.” Are you complacent?
A complacent person feels self-satisfied—refusing to believe that things aren’t perfect just as they are. Such a person may be unconcerned and unaware of anything being deficient or potentially dangerous—and complacency may lead to serious consequences. One example of this can occur in a workplace where employees become complacent about following established safety protocols. They may become lackadaisical in following procedures and fail to remember the potential risks of serious accidents.
Similarly, Christians may become complacent in their spiritual lives. They may become self-satisfied, having a lackadaisical approach and being unconcerned about deficiencies in obedience that lead to a dangerous spiritual condition. The Bible warns us about complacency and encourages Jesus Christ’s followers to be diligent—not lazy, but faithful, obedient doers and not just hearers. Scripture warns that “the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them” (Proverbs 1:32).
The prophet Amos warned the Israelites of their false sense of security when they were in a state of moral decay. “Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, who cause the seat of violence to come near… who drink wine from bowls, and anoint yourselves with the best ointments, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. Therefore they shall now go captive as the first of the captives, and those who recline at banquets shall be removed” (Amos 6:1–7). Likewise, the prophet Isaiah warned the nation of Judah about complacency: “Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech” (Isaiah 32:9).
How should Christians guard against complacency? We can remind ourselves of some basic principles needed for remaining a strong Christian: We must practice daily prayer, Bible study, and meditation, along with periodic fasting, to stay close to God. As with workplace safety, we must not become too comfortable or lackadaisical in following “protocols,” nor skip any essential “safety steps,” nor fail to remember potential dangers. The Apostle Paul wrote that Christians are to “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2), and the Apostle Peter reminds us of the need to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Ancient Israel was told repeatedly to be diligent in heeding the voice of the Lord—to do what was right by keeping His commandments (e.g., Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 4:9, 6:17). History shows that Israel and Judah were “off and on”—and usually “off”—not remaining diligent but repeatedly slipping into complacency.
Through Paul’s inspired words, God beseeches all of us to guard against becoming complacent (Romans 12:1–11)—not to lag in diligence but to be fervent in spirit. If we do, we will avoid the danger of complacency.