Some People Are Dummies

Father God, I thank You for this day that You have made. Thank you for waking us up this morning Lord with everything intact, for blessing us with life Father to see another one of Your Glorious days.  We thank You Lord for watching over us and our families.  Father I pray that You use your saints today Lord to let Your light shine Lord. So those that are in darkness will be able to see Lord.  I pray Lord that you order the words that comes out of my mouth today Lord so they can be rejoicing to you Lord and comfort to those who are listening God. Oh, thank You Father.  We know that we are nothing without You Lord and ask that You strengthen us when we are weak Lord.  Oh we thank You Father for Your mercy and grace Lord.  Thank You Lord!  All these we pray in Your son Jesus name.  Amen!

                                                                                                               Prayer by:  Judith Notice

My former pastor, Pastor Chris Likely has a unique way of preaching.  He uses trigger words to catch his audience’s attention.  For example, if he wanted to emphasize the verse that speaks about people having itching ears (2 Tim 4:3), he would say something like people out there enjoy having ear infections.  Or if he is speaking about how people’s hearts are not right (Matt 15:19), he would say something like they have a severe heart condition.  I think it is genius because of the unorthodoxy of it and how it is easy to associate a thought or position with aligned scripture.  Well, as you can see in my title, I may take the cake for this one.  I pray that if you are still reading, and despite how offensive it may seem, in the end I believe I will succeed also in associating a people’s behavior with a trigger word that will make the related scripture easy to remember.

If I were to ask what comes to mind when we say the word “dummy,” most of you would say someone who is not smart or a mute, and I am being kind here.  However dummy is defined as a representation of a human figure, as for displaying clothes in a store.  That was actually the second definition where the first states it is a representation or copy of something as for displaying to indicate appearance.  Now that you have the definition, my title is not all that bad right?  Shame on those of you who thought differently.  The bible states “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Tim 3:1-5)

So there go the dummies I was referring to.  A mannequin from afar may look like a human but when you get close, you will realize they are just a representation.  They look like us from the outside, but they’re empty on the inside.  Dummies.  The Apostle Paul warned us of these dummies.  He gave us a checklist of what their inner would be, but their outer will display a form of godliness.  Amen.  That is why people who say they are Christians are not who they say they are.  What does that mean?

Read below and tell me if you are familiar:

1. Someone who claims they are a Christian, yet they frequent the night clubs.
2. Someone who claims they are a Christian, yet every sentence they speak either has a curse word, or leans to sexual content.
3. Someone who claims they are a Christian, but they will fight you in a minute.
4. Someone who claims they are a Christian, but are living carnally with their mate, saying they are waiting until they get money before they get married.
5. Someone who claims they are a Christian, yet have the latest rap or dancehall tunes blasting in their car radios.
6. Someone who claims they are a Christian, and will be in church shouting amen and hallelujah, but when church is over they have no clue on what was preached.
7. Someone who claims they are a Christian, yet for six days their bible is catching dust, and on the seventh day they pick it up.
8. Someone who claims they are a Christian yet they are finding illegal ways to get that earned income credit.  Hello!!!
9. Someone who claims they are a Christian yet will put a dollar in the offering plate.
10. Someone who claims they are a Christian, yet every minute they are faced with a challenge, they are reading tarot cards.

These ten examples represent “having a form of godliness.”  They are a bunch of dummies.  Imitators.  Looking smelling and feeling like the real thing, but they are not.  Do you know any dummies?  Amen!  We serve a God who wants His children to worship Him in spirit and in truth. He wants His children to have a sincere heart.  The above examples are those who still have a strong hold on them, and until they break free, they are just dummies.  Are you sure you are not a dummy?  I will assume that you may feel a way that I am calling you a dummy.  Well let’s take a look at verse 5 one more time.  It reads “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

Form –

1. external appearance of a clearly defined area, as distinguished from color or material; configuration: a triangular form.
2. the shape of a thing or person.
3. a body, esp. that of a human being.
4. a dummy having the same measurements as a human body, used for fitting or displaying clothing:

So if the first 3 definitions makes you feel better, then by all means have at it.  It is all the same to God.  This implies that the ten examples described, professed to be religious in outward form. You look one way externally, but inside….well…..you decide.

I may come off as harsh today, but the reality is if we are not addressed on this faith walk, this way of living becomes a habit.  We then deny ourselves from that spiritual connection that will give us peace and deliverance.  Scripture states “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” Those who may fall under the 10 examples above fall under them because they are spiritually lacking.  They have the form of godliness but lacking the spirituality and power to produce what they are trying to display.  So for example #7 Monday-Saturday they are distracted.  They find pleasures in other things.  They only pick up their bibles as a formality (there is that word again) when going to church.  Where is the spirit in them to cause them to search the scripture daily?  Where is the spirit in them to find the different ways to please God?  Where is the spirit in them to want to fellowship with other believers?  The spirit I am referring to is that Godly spirit.  So if that spirit is lacking, what spirit is on them?  They are only Christians outwardly.  So if they are not a dummy, would a hypocrite suffice?

Some people truly have a desire to learn God’s word, and really feel that they have a love for Him.  But it is necessary for all of us to examine ourselves to see if we need fixing.  Just like we check with our spouses to see if we are pleasing them, we should check the Word to see if we are pleasing God.  If we are going to stay true to God's Word, then we have to accept even the part that may seem insensitive.  In reality, many people are dummies.  Not stupid or mute, but having an outward religion, and their heart is not sincere.  There is a difference in what you "say" you are, in comparison to what “you” are.  People say they are Christians however saying it is not enough.  You have to live it.  It needs to mold you.  It needs to permeate from your inner parts.  Because believing in Christ, is more than just saying I believe.  Guess what?  The devil believes also, so what distinguish you from the devil?  Amen!