The of Desensitization

2. The of Desensitization

3. Desensitization (James 1:13-15) Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (NKJV) How do we avoid being enticed by sin? (James 1:16) Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. (NKJV)

4. What Desensitization Will Do To US Desensitization causes us to minimize sin. (2 Peter 3:5-11) For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, (NKJV)

5. What Desensitization Will Do To Us Desensitization results in causing other things to become more important to us than the Lord is. Mat. 10:37 “He who loves father or mother…son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Lk. 9:23 “"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Mat. 22:37 “’You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” Mat. 6:24 “You cannot serve God and mammon.”

6. What Desensitization Will Do To Us Desensitization causes one to resist obeying the Lord. Pharaoh: “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.” – Ex. 5:2 “The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked.” – Ex. 9:27 “"I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you.” – Ex. 10:16

7. What Desensitization Will Do To Us Desensitization causes one to refuse to obey the gospel. The Governor, Felix: Acts 24:25 “he [Paul - MDM] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’”

8. How Desensitization Occurs Non-Toleration Toleration Accepted Embraced Defended

9. Are we becoming desensitized to immodest dress? 1 Timothy 2:8–10 (NKJV) 8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

10. Are we becoming desensitized to immodest dress? 1940’s -1960’s 1914 1926 1900 1920

11. Are we becoming desensitized about the types of entertainment we accept? According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Finds That Children Exposed to Violent Media: Become "immune" or numb to the horror of violence Gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems Imitate the violence they observe on television Identify with certain characters, victims and/or victimizers

12. Are we becoming desensitized about the types of entertainment we accept? According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Finds That Children Exposed to Violent Media: Extensive viewing of television violence by children causes greater aggressiveness, sometimes even after watching a single violent program can increase aggressiveness.  Children who view shows in which violence is very realistic, frequently repeated or unpunished, are more likely to imitate what they see.  Some children may be more easily influenced by TV violence than others. Similar findings have been found with regard to the music they listen to, the music videos they watch, the online activities they engage in and even the news they are exposed to.

13. Are we becoming desensitized about the types of entertainment we accept? According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Finds That Children Exposed to Violent Media: Extensive viewing of television violence by children causes greater aggressiveness, sometimes even after watching a single violent program can increase aggressiveness.  Children who view shows in which violence is very realistic, frequently repeated or unpunished, are more likely to imitate what they see.  Some children may be more easily influenced by TV violence than others. Similar findings have been found with regard to the music they listen to, the music videos they watch, the online activities they engage in and even the news they are exposed to.

14. Are we becoming desensitized about the importance of worship? Hebrews 10:25–26 (NKJV) 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…29 trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

15. Are we becoming desensitized toward worldliness? 2 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV) 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

16. Are we becoming desensitized to materialism? Matthew 6:19–20 (NKJV) 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven…

17. Are we becoming desensitized to the use of alcoholic beverage? 1 Peter 4:3–4 (NKJV) 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

18. Are we becoming desensitized toward Bible study? Acts 20:7 (NKJV) 7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight…11 “…talked a long while, even till daybreak…” before departing. Nehemiah 9:3 (NKJV) 3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.

19. Are we becoming desensitized toward dealing with sin? 1 Corinthians 5:11 (NKJV) 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner— not even to eat with such a person.