PRAGMATISM: A deadly Enemy of the Church

Christians in the church today are witnessing what may be aptly described as an era of “truth degeneration and decay “ – a situation in which truth is considered as being only a process; and the end results of an idea or practice, is what actually determines whether it is to be accepted as true or valid. Something like : “If it works, then it must be true.” Another name for that enemy and trending philosophy is pragmatism; and it is one that we need potent spiritual discernment, especially in these last days, to overcome. That is particularly so, because Pragmatism causes Man to be a “god” in his own right, motivating him to be the creator of truth for himself. Whatever works (especially instantly or fast) is the only thing to be believed or accepted.

Pragmatism, therefore , is a prevalent and persuasive enemy of the Truth, a kind of thinking that appeals to our logical and practical approach to life and permeates our culture. Very sadly too, Pragmatism has now also worked its way into the fabric of the Church and there, found a thriving place. It sets out headlong, to set aside the Truth of God for human understanding; and because Man is fallen and primarily oriented to his soul-realm, pragmatism becomes the inherent influence that controls much of human thinking.

There is only one solution to pragmatism in the Church…that is the Cross of Christ. Accepting the Lord, Jesus Christ as the only Lord and Saviour, will mark the beginning of a 3-pronged counter-attack, destruction and cleansing process of fighting the deadly insurgency. The cross helps us to deal an axe-like blow to the root of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; bringing down, in one fell swoop, the entire self-exalting nature within us. As one writer puts it : “The Cross helps to apply the Word to our lives as a flaming, flashing sword, dividing asunder soul and spirit, so that we might find our way once again to the tree of life. The cross decisively crucifies us to this world, and the world to us, so that we do not find worldly wisdom or ways attractive or worth sharing. Rather, the Cross dissuades us from leaning on our own understanding, even in the most mundane issues of life; forcing us to bow our knees before the Word of God as our first and final authority and thus come to know the thoughts and ways of the true God.”

Let us all today, resolve to embrace the Cross and walk in faith and obedience; offering ourselves afresh to God as a living sacrifice, and being daily renewed in our minds. Only then can we prove what the good, acceptable and perfect will of God is. May we be willing to embrace the cross and become those whom God not only blesses, but also endorses, because we have learned to walk in the TRUTH. Amen.