Jeremiah 3:9 Israel treated it all so lightly—she thought nothing of committing adultery by worshiping idols made of wood and stone. So now the land has been polluted.
A midlife crisis is an emotionally turbulent transitional period between late 30s to 60s where a person struggles with their identity and self-confidence. It is a form of psychological trauma that is evident in impulsive or indulgent behaviour. A person struggling with middle-age crisis needs empathy at the same time their negative behaviour must be addressed.
Likewise, a person who has walked closely with the Lord for a few years and has crossed adolescent Christianity must be cautious of the symptoms of middle-age Christianity. Advancing in biological age does not mature a person from spiritual middle-age symptoms. This is a time when life gets busy and prayer life and spiritual health is compromised. This person would be thorough in the Word of God but would find excuses for their impulsive and indulgent behaviour. Blaming others for their anger tantrums, picking verses from the Bible to justify repugnant reactions, unjustified sadness, restlessness, irritability, daydreaming, nostalgia, overeating, lewdness or abnormal sensuality must be addressed and corrected.
When the Lord God had established Israel in the land promised to their forefather Abraham, they were unfaithful to the Lord. Idolatry, adultery and revelry were the sins that corrupted them. “How can you say, ‘I am not defiled; I have not run after the Baals’? See how you behaved in the valley; consider what you have done (Jeremiah 2:23). Israelites were very well versed in the Mosaic Laws, traditions and religious rituals however, they became complacent and compromised. They put their idol altars right next to mine with only a wall between them and me (Ezekiel 43:8). They defiled their worship with worldliness, whoredom and waywardness. Israel’s middle-age crisis of ritualistic religiosity destroyed their faith.
The symptoms of a spiritual middle-age crisis are manifested as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).
Middle-Age Christianity:
1. Morality: Anything that infiltrates into purity and morality will push a child of God back into the pit of sin. Pornography, daydreaming, indulgent fantasies and coarse conversations have caused many well-seasoned men and women to stumble. So, watch out for the lust of the eyes.
2. Materialism: Impulsive buying and a tendency to go after material possessions, power or positions is a clear indication that a growing Christian is plummeting into materialism. Money is not bad. We must control money; money must never control us.
3. Mixture: Our private and public life must be unadulterated. It is not our flamboyant talk but the fruitful lifestyle that is evidence of our godliness. There can be no mixture between worldliness and the Word of God. Beware of the pride of achievements, accolades and awards. Stay away from boastful bragging that draws attention.
Indulging in the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and prideful arrogance will stunt our spiritual growth.
Galatians 5:7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
Prayer: Dearest Holy Spirit, help me to be vigilant to stand against any symptoms of spiritual middle-age Christianity crisis. Let it never stunt my growth into maturity. Amen.
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