Have you ever really thought about this saying? You know it is not stated as such in the Bible, but there are examples of its application we can look at. It can be a very dangerous thing when it becomes reality. It would be very wise of us all to take a good look at this phrase and think about its impact on our lives.

The first example I want you to think about is in Luke 4:24. There we find that Jesus went into Nazareth, to the synagogue to teach his people. There he gave them a very important warning, one they would have done well to heed. Jesus said, "verily I say unto you, no prophet is accepted in his own country." A little later, if you read on down you find that the people there tried to take Jesus out and kill him. Why did the people of Jesus' own town turn against him? Why was he honored and esteemed highly in other places, but not by his own kinsmen? Very simply, familiarity breeds contempt. Jesus was no mystery to the people of Nazareth. He was raised there. Maybe they knew him too well. The simple yet not so ordinary man they had come to know could not be the Messiah - they wanted something spectacular. You know how it is, sometimes you want a 4th of July fireworks display to tell you God is alive, not a little candle being lit. So, their wrath was upon Jesus. He just was not the right man for the job, or so they thought. You know, we can look at their big mistakes and shake our heads, but how about we take a look in the mirror first?

Take a look at your family life. You may have a spouse, children, brothers, sisters, parents, etc. Do you ever get angry with them because they just aren't up to snuff? You probably do. Have you ever noticed that you treat perfect strangers more politely than you do your own family sometimes? Why is that? It is because familiarity breeds contempt.

Take a look at your favorite vacation spot. You go there. The weather is usually better than where you live. The people seem nicer. The town is cleaner. The drivers are more polite. Everything is so relaxing and just plain better than home. Do you really think this is true? Maybe, maybe not. You don't live there so you don't really know, do you? Going somewhere once, maybe twice, a year isn't like living there, is it? If we lived in some parts of the world where people are starving to death and we were sent us to where we are now, we would kiss the ground and praise God for letting us live here. But, we don't really think about that much, and anyway, things aren't that way. We complain about our plight and once again, familiarity breeds contempt.

Take a look at your job. You really wanted the job at first. You thanked God when they hired you. The pay was better than your last job and the hours were better. You were glad to spend more time with your family. After some time passes, you forget how much harder you used to work and think they are slave driving you. You forget how much more the pay is and complain about needing a raise. You ask God to open a new door so you can get out of the horrible job you are at. The new job isn't any better than the old one, and once again, familiarity breeds contempt.

Now let's take a look at the spiritual aspect of our lives. When we first came to the congregation we are at, it was wonderful, a utopia on earth. As in all other things time passes and we begin to grumble. The song leaders aren't that great after all. You know they never lead my favorite songs, just those old ones I'm sick of. The prayers are still heartfelt, but couldn't they keep them to 5 minutes or less? You know the fellowship is great, but have you noticed that some people never have me over? We once wanted a big, growing in number congregation, but we found out that when you grow in number you also become more diversified in beliefs. Maybe we should start a new congregation. I just can't get along with you and besides your beliefs make me uncomfortable. I know I came here because it was a place I could feel free to share my beliefs, but things have changed. Maybe it isn't such a good idea anymore. People could get hurt. You know I see you every Sunday and Wednesday and I have to deal with your ideas and your opinions about scriptures - it just isn't working any more. It used to be that I wanted to learn more and hear other's views, but, well, it just keeps me in turmoil. Everything is just hum-drum and the best way to resolve the matter is to get a new environment, start a new work. People lose the focus of the assembling of ourselves together, and familiarity breeds contempt.

Take a look at your relationship with the Lord. When you were first saved you were ready to save the world. Nothing stood in your way. You were a changed man or woman. God blessed you and cleansed you of your sins. Some time went by and you begin to wonder what has God done for me lately. You look back over your life to count your blessings. Well, I wanted someone wonderful to marry and prayed about it and he answered. I married the love of my life, but they don't look so great anymore and they have some qualities that really get on my nerves. I wanted him to direct my path and he sent me to the place I live now. It was great when we first moved here. We were off to a fresh new start in a new place. Everybody seemed a little friendlier when we first came. It is kind of boring now. I prayed for a new job and he provided me with the one I have now. It just isn't that great anymore. The boss won't give me a raise and the benefits aren't as good as some places I know of. The assembly, well, I know it is what we long prayed for. We wanted what they offered, but they have a lot of different personalities and frankly some of us don't get along. You know God just pretended to be blessing me I guess, because it looks like all of his so called blessings haven't been much of a blessing at all. I would like to give him thanks, but it seems like everything in my life right now is one big headache.

If any of this is the way you feel you better sit down and open your Bible. You have been given the warning signs and you are headed down a road of destruction. Jesus warned us about this in the Bible. We are warned in 1 Tim. 6:8 "and having food and raiment let us be therewith content." Don't let the familiar things around you make you despise them. You see the faults in people and things around you because you know them the most. Turn things around and find reasons to be thankful for who you are with and where you are at. If you tear down the blessings of the Lord then how can he use them to bless you? Don't do as the unbelievers, take hold of the precious blessings around you and praise God for each of them. If you don't, Jesus may do as he did in Luke 4:30 "But he passing through the midst of them went on his way."

In Christ,

Amy Decker