Fish or Cut Bait

There once was a famous and mysterious fisherman who lived in a small town. He was famous and mysterious because every time he went fishing, he came back with a boat load of fish, always fished alone and never disclosed the secrets for his success. His pastor had hounded him for years to take him fishing and promised to never reveal his secrets. Finally, the man relented and told the pastor to meet him at his house at sunup and bring nothing with him. They met the next day and drove in silence to a nearby lake. The pastor thought it odd there were no rods or tackle but only a small box covered by a tarp resting in the middle of the boat. They sped to the middle of the lake where the man dropped the anchor and revealed a box of dynamite under the tarp. Without hesitation, he lit a stick and tossed it into the water. The very large explosion resulted in numerous stunned fish floating to the surface where he scooped them up and dropped them into his cooler. The pastor was shocked by his friends’ illegal fishing techniques and admonished him to stop immediately. His friend’s response was to light another stick of dynamite, toss it to the pastor and say “Are you gonna fish or cut bait?” Whatever decision the pastor made, being passive or inactive was most likely the deadliest of his given options.

During times of war many countries, groups and individuals will attempt to avoid conflict by declaring themselves neutral. Judges, referees, therapists and mediators will often take the position of neutrality in order to provide bias free opinions and rulings. Sadly, the Western Church has adopted this neutrality position and the younger generations have consumed it. “It’s just not that big of a deal” is one the most frightening phrases a Christian can utter when it comes to issues which are clearly addressed within scripture. The phrase can be expressed in various ways but the result is the same. It promotes neutrality in areas where scripture declares we should “fish or cut bait.” Declaring neutrality promotes a false sense of being graceful, loving and non-judgmental. However, in issues of morality, neutrality or passivity can be just as dangerous as the pastor sitting there with a lit stick of dynamite in his lap. “Who am I to judge that unmarried couple living together. I know they love each other and plan to marry one day.” Sometimes we promote our neutrality by comparing it to others’ sins. “Everybody I know looks at porn, it’s not that big of a deal. At least they aren’t having sex with different people like your generation did.” This drive to become morally and spiritually neutral has left the church weak and easily driven by the emotions, threats, trends and whims of the world. Instead of being transformed and not of this world, we don’t look any different than the rest of this decaying land. Pornography statistics in the church are no different than the unchurched. Statistically, females use of porn in the church has caught up to the males. The church at Laodicea may have been the example or the beginning point of the neutral church. They were neither hot nor cold. They were comfortable in their nice fancy church and in a community where no one was in need.

Revelation 3:15-16 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

The church at Laodicea no longer exists because Jesus vomited them out of his mouth. It is very easy to remain neutral regarding the topic of sexual sin because it makes us uncomfortable but if we don’t take action we too will be as extinct as this first century church.

The answer to this problem is revival. That revival begins with the one person who says they will no longer allow the plague of sexual sin to rule their lives. The one person who says they will no longer permit their flesh to remain neutral regarding lust. We don’t need a series of sermons regarding the evils and harms of pornography, we just need to open His Word and let it move us from our passive position.

Matthew 5:28 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jesus’ stance on lust had no neutrality to it. We are all like the preacher in the boat regarding sexual sin. We can fish or cut bait but staying neutral will have disastrous results.

If you or someone you love is in need of help regarding their struggle with sexual sin and its effects, please give us a call at 901-430-3412 or visit our website at www.perfecthope.org.

Jonathan Jones, President Perfect Hope Ministry