Warning Against Being at Ease

Memory Verse

“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!” — Amos 6:1

Bible Texts: 1 Kings 13:11–29; Amos 6:4–7; Luke 12:16–21; Deuteronomy 6:10–12; 8:11–14, 17–18; Revelation 3:15–17

Being at ease is a state of rest, relaxation, and being settled down. When you keep a glass of dirty water in a state of ease and rest, coagulation occurs—heavy particles settle at the bottom of the cup.

This is precisely what God meant when He addressed Moab:

“Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” — Jeremiah 48:11

The Lord made us understand that anything not in constant motion and dynamism is bound to lose relevance and taste. The Christian life is a dynamic life. Being comfortable in one zone and fully settled is a spiritual tragedy.

The sad story of the man of God who sat down after a mighty ministry clearly shows the danger of being at ease. The Lord strongly warned against complacency.

There are many who come to God’s house and are comfortable doing nothing. They don’t join in anything. They are like stagnant water that smells. They remain in the same position over time, adding nothing, refusing to change. They are comfortable with their spiritual state, if there is any at all. They are relaxed in the midst of danger. Even when there is an alarm to awaken them to looming threats, they do not respond. There is no growth, no impact, and no added value to the Kingdom. Who they were years ago is who they are today.

There is another level of complacency—those who feel they have done so much and now it is time to rest. This is reflected in the parable of the young prophet. He felt a sense of accomplishment, but it came at the cost of his life. Another group says, “No one has called me to do anything, so I am taking my rest.” It is a crime to wait to be told to do what you are meant to do. The Lord warned about people who have eyes but do not see—seeing the work that needs to be done yet claiming there is nothing to do.

There are also naturally lazy souls who constantly find excuses to ease out and rest. They avoid every call to duty. It is a pity to resign to rest when there is so much to do for the Lord.
This message is a warning from the Lord to all the different dispositions toward complacency.

There Is Much to Be Done

Matthew 9:37–38; Genesis 2:12–15; Matthew 5:16

From the beginning, God created man to be dynamic, active, and responsible:

“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” — Genesis 2:15

Even in a perfect world, humanity was given purposeful work. Man’s journey began with work—not marriage, not love—but duty, responsibility, and accountability. From creation, man has no right to be at ease because there is work to be done. Have you looked around to see how much work there is?

“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” — Genesis 2:2

God did not rest every day—He rested on the seventh day. There is a place for proper rest, but not constant rest. God is continually working.

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” — Job 1:7

The devil is also working. That is why there is constant torment, harassment, and opposition. That is why hell is increasing daily. Unfortunately, very few understand the importance of doing greater works.

Jesus and the Holy Spirit are working:

“My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” — John 5:17

If the Father and the Son are working and you choose ease, play, or sleep, you are not reflecting their nature. Such a son or daughter brings shame.

“A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.” — Proverbs 17:25

“A foolish son is the calamity of his father…” — Proverbs 19:13

There Is Much to Be Done in Your Life

2 Peter 1:5–7; 1 Corinthians 9:24–27; Philippians 2:12–13; 2 Corinthians 7:1

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” — 2 Peter 1:5–7

This is a lot of work. You cannot remain on one level. There is a call to take responsibility for your spiritual life. There are scriptures to learn and ingest. There are prayers to pray, mountains to climb, and personal work to be done on your soul.

• Are you satisfied with your present spiritual state?
• Are you comfortable with your level of anointing?
• Can’t you see the weights you need to shed to make your journey easier?
• Can’t you see your current spiritual condition?

How can you be comfortable with where you are and who you are spiritually?
There is a call to attend to the state of your soul.