October 16, 2014
TOLERANCE IS NOT SILENT
Revelation 2:18–29
Amanda Smith
Central Truth
Sometimes, we can be overly tolerant of things that God is not tolerant of, and often we don't even realize it.
Key Verse | Revelation 2:20
"'But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.'" (Revelation 2:20)
Revelation 2:18–29
To the Church in Thyatira
18 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
19 ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule 1 2:27 Greek shepherd them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Dive Deeper | Revelation 2:18–29
The church in Thyatira was being commended for their service and love, but also rebuked for being tolerant of people leading others into idolatry and false teachings. Jesus makes it clear in verse 23 that He will not tolerate such things. He knows our intimate thoughts, motives, and actions, and there will be consequences according to our deeds. To those who remained faithful, He gave the promise of no further burdens and urged them to persevere until He comes (verses 24-25).
Growing up, I struggled with being overly compliant. This usually manifested itself in not establishing and communicating healthy physical, mental, or emotional boundaries. I frequently struggled with my identity and mimicked others around me. This had the potential to work well if the environment was positive. If the circumstances and environment were destructive, however, I rarely spoke up, and I made a lot of unwise decisions.
This pattern carried over into adulthood and into my relationship with Christ. Since blind compliance had become my auto-response, I can easily see how I could have fit right in with the people in Thyatira. Many times I have been tolerant of my sins and the sins of others, not speaking up for whatever reason. Sometimes, I feel inadequate to confidently use God's Word, and it is challenging to notice when I've become overly tolerant. I can easily misinterpret being tolerant to mean remaining silent.
By actively trusting and seeking God's mercy and guidance, I am always learning how to: show "tolerance for one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2, NASB); trust Him and the Holy Spirit on when and how to speak up with gentleness and respect, as in 1 Peter 3:15 and Luke 12:11-12; not sit idly and passively by, "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7); and, finally, to persevere with confidence because He is coming back, "[f]or here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come" (Hebrews 13:14).
Discussion Questions
1. In what areas of your life are you overly tolerant of your own sin or maybe even the sins of others? Feel free to take some time to pray about those areas right now!
2. In what situations or circumstances do you find it most challenging to speak up, and what about those situations makes it challenging?
3. How does Hebrews 13:14 affect your perspective on your responses to the previous questions?
4. Read and meditate on Hebrews 12:1-2 and Romans 12:1-2 today and let your mind and heart be renewed and encouraged to persevere!