Desensitize. Now that's a big word. What does it mean? It is defined "to reduce or eliminate the sensitivity of a person."

A country boy asked a city-slicker once, "Have you ever seen a pig holding his nose?" The city-slicker answered, "No, I haven't." The country boy then said, "He's been in the stench so long, he doesn't know he stinks." "Now, I've got it," said the city-slicker. Don't you love the way country folks can shuck it down where anyone can understand?

Desensitization happens when we expose ourselves to shameful things so long that we no longer respond to it as we once did. The Bible teaches us to keep our senses keen. Our senses are to be "exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14). We need to have discernment to make good choices and approve of things that are excellent (Phil. 1:10). But too much exposure to filth has a tendency to numb the senses. Our world is full of people who "having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more" (Eph. 4:19). It is possible for our consciences to become seared (1 Tim. 4:2). I'm reminded of a newly hired construction worker who hit his thumb with a hammer and doubled over in pain. His boss walked by and said, "You know, if you'll do that every day for a while, it'll get to where it doesn't hurt anymore." He's right. All the nerves will be dead. That's desensitization.

In the days of Jeremiah, things got so bad that Jeremiah said the people did not "know how to blush" (Jer. 6:15). It makes me wonder - are we there? Have we lost the ability to blush at anything? Are there things that used to bother you but they don't bother you any longer? Are you watching things on television that at one time you would not have watched? Are you going places that at one time you would not visit? Are you wearing things that at one time you would not have worn? Are you more silent about things that at one time you would have spoken out against? Has your zeal for the Lord reached the "lukewarm" level (Rev. 3:16)?

Have we been desensitized when we ought to be holding our noses? Think about it.

- The Englewood Oracle, 1/23/11