LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Unconscious Decadence
One of the greatest dangers facing the Christian is the unconsciousness of his spiritual decadence. The prophet Hosea said of Ephraim (Israel): "Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knew it not; and gray hairs have covered him, and he knew it not" (7:9). There is something Ephraim did not know. Ephraim boasted of many things, but he did not know his real condition. He thought he had strength, but strangers had devoured him; he thought he was young, but he had already grown gray hairs.
Gray hair is a sign of old age, of weakening; how can we fail to notice that it has begun to grow? G. Campbell Morgan, in his book "The Heart of God", talks about 'unconscious decay': "We often fail to discover for ourselves the signs of decay that are apparent to the eyes of others, and we go on our way, unconscious victims of a dissipating strength that becomes morally and spiritually weakened, without knowing it. We are blind to the signs that in the eyes of those who look at us are evident and well visible. There is no condition more dangerous to our spiritual well-being than this kind of unconscious decadence".
But there is more. Ephraim had said: "Surely I am waxed rich, I have found riches for myself: no man shall find iniquity in me, nor sin in all my works" (Hosea 12:8) Here he speaks of two matters: of riches, and of self-righteousness. He believes that riches are the product of his cleverness or artifice. But is this so? The Lord Jesus says to a boastful Laodicea. "Thou art poor", and adds: "I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire". True riches consist of gold, but not just any gold, but gold refined in fire.
Ephraim also says: "No one shall find iniquity in me, nor sin in all my works". Ephraim has assumed a position of self-righteousness, quite contrary to reality. He thinks very well of himself, but God sees something very different. What a tremendous disgrace it is for a child of God to think well of himself when the Lord is reproving his attitude and conduct!
Self-righteousness is not necessarily a deliberate and conscious stance. It may well have crept into the heart of the believer. In his beginnings he was poor, and he knew he was poor. He humbled himself before God and God pitied him and heard his cry and granted him riches. Then he was adorned with rich gifts, received the praise of all, and, in his foolishness, came to think that such gifts had been bestowed upon him because he was a special kind of person. And so self-righteousness arises. Thus an imputed righteousness is transformed into self-righteousness.
This is the syndrome of Ephraim. It is not new, nor is it circumscribed to a particular sector of Christianity. It constantly circles around every child of God, to induce him to think well of himself and badly of others. May the Lord deliver us from such a poisonous attitude and presumption. May we, by the grace of God, be found free from such a disease.