Not necessarily a positive word, place to be. Can one truly grow in a complacent environment? The ‘advantages’ to being complacent is???? Don’t mistake content and complacent… they are not the same. Content is proactive, while complacent is incautious and typically inactive.
Starting with Webster’s definitions, content means: “…contentment…” Not certain what this tells us. However, when we consider the adjectives, the descriptive words for ‘content’… gratified, happy, pleased, satisfied, blissful, delighted, glad, joyful, overjoyed, rejoicing, etc. Complacent means, “…marked by self-satisfaction, especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies. Descriptive words are apathetic, casual, indifferent, unconcerned, etc.
Obviously there is a marked difference between the two words and how they are expressed. I would also suggest that there should be a preference concerning which to embrace. Content is more of an action word, complacent is non active because there is no ‘caring’ about (fill in the blank). Besides… I don’t think the Lord went to all the trouble and sacrifice so we would be saved and brought into relationship with Him for us to be complacent. We have been invited into the Army of God and this requires training, learning, and becoming all we are destined to be. Not to sit on the beach sunning ourselves.
There are over 38 verses in scripture that talk about complacency. 2 examples:
“And I will come punish the men who are stagnant in spirit.” (Zephaniah 1:12)
“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them,
will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” (Matthew 7:26)
The theme is evident – they will reap what happens to the complacent. Do not forget the warning in Revelation (3:14-20) to the Laodicean church.
Content, on the other hand can be demonstrated by Philippians 4:11-13
“… I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content…”
Why? How?
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
This is not sitting down, comfortably, for it is in the soul of the person. They are involved and active… but they also know Whose they are.
