Christian Living

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December 26, 2011 – Living In Denial

15 Then Sarah denied it, saying, I did not laugh; for she was afraid. And He said, No, but you did laugh. – Genesis 18:15 AMP

The story of Abraham’s wife Sarah giving birth is a miracle in itself. Well past the age of childbearing, she learns of her coming pregnancy after a visit from God. She really got a kick out of God’s prophecy. So much, in fact, that she laughed at the possibility of giving birth given her age. But when she was put on the spot, she denied it. Like many people today, she denied her actions because she was afraid of the consequences.

Denial is a game played by people from all walks of life. Husbands involved in extramarital affairs lie about their unfaithfulness to their wife. Drug addicts and alcoholics claim they can stop their substance abuse at any time. Homosexuals say God made them that way. Such people are living in denial because they would rather not face the truth of their situation.

What’s harder to face about people living in denial is that Christians have problems with it just like society. The Christian world is full of believers running rampant in sin. Many times these sins are justified under the pretense of freedom, love, or salvation. Some will even say that they have a burden to bear for Christ. Such lines of thinking need to be thrown out with yesterday’s garbage.

There is a mindset in society that if things are not brought out into the open that they must not exist. This form of evasive political correctness has even infiltrated churches. It has progressed to the point that some churches only bring forth messages of salvation and encouragement. The pastors of these churches never confront sin in the congregation and are living in denial.

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]. – Matthew 16:24 AMP

12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, He will also deny and disown and reject us. – 2 Timothy 2:12 AMP
Christians must deny themselves and conform to Jesus’ example in holy living. Churches in turn have a duty to teach Jesus’ example. I have no problem with a salvation message, nor do I think every message should be condemning. But when churches and Christians alike seem unwilling to endure attempts by society to get them to conform to the world (Romans 12:2), they are denying Him. If we deny Him, He will deny us.

You may be thinking now that you don’t deny Jesus. You’re a Christian, pay your tithes, go to church, and are even involved in different ministries at church. But is life wholly conformed to Jesus’ example? Have you been called by God to do something you haven’t done? Is there hidden sin in your life? Is there someone at work that God has told you to reach out to but you are too afraid to do it? Very often, following Jesus’ example will require us to leave our zone of comfort-ability for His zone of conformity.

When Christians leave their comfort zone, there is no need to worry or be afraid. Have you ever heard of anyone who would deny something good they have done? Of course you haven’t. There is no reason to deny being good. There are no consequences that would have an adverse effect on life for doing the right thing. Knowing that, we should all strive to live like the Bible says so there will never be any kind of cover-up.

The sad part of the whole denial game is that there is a time coming when some will be forced to choose. In the seven year reign of the antichrist there will be a time when they will have to choose between God and the antichrist.

The hard part about this choice for some is that if you choose God you will have your head cut off. Read Revelation; it’s all there in black and white. If you find it difficult to stand and live for Him now, how will you respond to those tactics? If you can’t profess your faith openly when there is no official condemnation for it, what will you do when your life is on the line? I am no doomsday preacher, but look at the world around us: that time is closer than you might think.

Are you living in denial? Is your life lived in hiding and fearing the consequences of being discovered? Will you be ready to stand for Him if you have to live through the reign of the antichrist? Remember this: in Jesus’ life, denial was only a river in Egypt.

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