Sensitized By Prayer

One of the worst effects of sin is its nature to desensitize us.  What does that mean exactly?  Simply stated, to be desensitized means to become less sensitive.

Nothing better illustrates desensitization than the disease of leprosy.  For years doctors believed that the disease produced decay.  It was later discovered that the disease does not produce decay itself, but rather, it damages the peripheral nervous system.

When the peripheral nervous system is attacked, nerves are damaged.  When nerves are damaged, the damaged area loses feeling and upon losing feeling becomes desensitized to pain. 

For instance, when the nerves of your hand are desensitized, you can reach into a fire and burn yourself severely and not feel a thing.  This is just one terrible result of leprosy. 

I was taught and have found it helpful to view sin as spiritual leprosy. 

When you sin, the natural result is to feel guilt.  This is a good thing.  When you sin again, you may not feel as guilty.  If you do nothing in repentance and continue to sin, you will feel less and less guilt until ultimately you no longer feel guilt at all.  In other words, where you once were very sensitive about sin, you are now completely desensitized to it.  Spiritual leprosy. 

But it’s not only your sin that contributes to your desensitization, but the sin of others as well.  So many believe they can listen to whatever they want to listen to, regardless of whether of not the material is sinful.  So many believe they can watch on television or online whatever they want.  So many believe they can be present in sinful environments as long as they are not participating in the sin.

The lie that people, even Christians, believe is that what they take in has no effect on them.  They reason, “I don’t do those things,” or “I don’t talk that way,” or “It’s just so entertaining,” or “I can take the positive and discard the negative.”  Sound familiar?  Just so you don’t think I’m picking on you, whoever you are, in particular, I’ve said some variation of all of these same things over the years.  Here’s what I’ve learned.

You are not immune.  You are not supernaturally spiritually strong.  The effect of your personal sin and the drinking in of sin in its various forms has many effects, one being, spiritual desensitization. 

How do I know if this is me?  Ask yourself these questions:

Does it bother me when I sin?  Does it bother me when other people sin?  Do I care about lost people or do I only care about myself?

If you have become spiritually desensitized, don’t despair!  There is hope.  How do I begin my journey back to being sensitive to sin?  It begins with prayer.

Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Jesus was the most sensitive to sin person who ever walked the earth, but His disciples were not.  When Jesus looked at the crowds of people, he saw sinners who needed a savior.  He was super-sensitive to their need.  He wanted His disciples to be sensitive to that great need of the people as well.

His solution?  …beseech the Lord of the harvest…  What does that mean?  Pray.  He instructed His disciples to pray that God would send workers.  Do you know what happens when you repeatedly pray that God will send workers?  As you continue to pray, you become more and more sensitive.  As you become more sensitive, you care more for other people.

Here’s the best part.  Do you know how God answers your prayer that He send someone?  He gradually reveals to you that you are the person.  Your heart is now sensitive.  You’re ready to be sent out.

Much love,

Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com