PACIFIERS

INTRODUCTION:

A. All have, at times, used a pacifier with a baby

B. Pacifiers not inherently bad, can be good even necessary

C. Yet sometime try to pacify when something else is needed

D. Sometimes punishment is needed instead of a pacifier: "Studies show repeatedly that

punishment reduces both frequency and seriousness of offenses by young criminals and is

most effective when it is consistently imposed for every offense." These punishments don't

have to be severe. But they have to be perceived as punishments." quote from University of

Southern California psychologist Sarnoff Mednick, from an article in Reader's Digest We Must

Get Tough With Killer Kids.

DISCUSSION:

I. DEFINITION OF SOME TERMS

A. Pacifier - pacifist - pacification

1. Pacifier: Webster - One who pacifies - a nipple shaped device for babies to suck on 2. Pacify: Webster - To allay the anger or agitation, soothe - appease - propitiate; to

restore to a tranquil state; settle - to reduce to a submissive state - subdue

B. Synonyms: Pacify, Placate, Mollify, Propitiate, Conciliate mean to ease the anger or

disturbance of. PACIFY suggests a soothing or calming. APPEASE implies quieting

insistent demands by making concessions. PLACATE suggests changing resentment or

bitterness to goodwill. MOLLIFY implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

PROPITIATE implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being.

CONCILIATE suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of

differences.

C. Scriptural usage of these ideas

1. Town clerk appeased the people Acts 19:35

2. Christ our propitiation 1Jhn 2:2; 4:10 more on this later

A. Physical pacifiers for adults

1. Food, drink, clothing, shelter, etc

2. Smoking, drinking, TV, etc

3. Giving in to children - pacifying children - but really pacifies parent - doesn't have to deal

with real issues, etc

B. Spiritual pacifiers

1. Easy Bible studies; preacher always first principles

2. Times of services - order of services - late for services

3. False doctrines: faith only, instrumental music

4. Substitute food, fun, frolic for true worship and study of God's word

C. Remember, all efforts to pacify are not sinful - some are good and right in their place, but

all have their limits

1. Parents tries to pacify child, but eventually has to deal with "real" problem

2. Our nation tries to pacify other nations, but eventually must deal with "real" problem

3. Some efforts to pacify are sinful or poor judgment

III. KNOWING WHEN TO PACIFY AND WHEN NOT

A. Pacifist - pacifism:

1. opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes; specifically - refusal to

bear arms on moral or religious grounds -

2. an attitude or policy of nonresistance (note Matt 5:39)

B. Balance desire for peace (Rom 12:18) with responsibility to fight (1Tim 6:12) (see quote

from Foy Wallace)

C. Parents are pacifist - efforts to keep peace in family

1. Child hungry - bottle not quite ready; wants toy - "We'll talk about it later" instead of just

saying "NO"

2. Child cries pitches a fit - what does parent do?

3. In assemblies child allowed to play to keep quiet, when does parent stop allowing this?

D. Nations are pacifist - try to keep peace

1. Give in - make concessions - help provide necessities for other nations

2. Sometime stop & "discipline" because of aggression

E. Christians are pacifist - seek peace 1Pet 3:11; Jas 3:17

1. In areas of judgment we give in to keep peace

2. Feed spiritual babies with milk, not meat Heb 5:13

3. Try to make "Word" palatable as possible 1Cor 9:20

4. Yet Scripture teaches us to fight - can't compromise convictions - sinners must be

convicted 2Jhn 1:9-11

5. Rebelliousness, can't be tolerated 1Sam 15:23; Gal 5:19-21

6. We must grow up 1Cor 3:1-3 - learn self discipline - not want to be pacified and/or

pacify themselves

CONCLUSION:

A. Propitiation: related to pacify - Christ's death satisfied the demands of justice 1Jhn 2:2; 4:10

B. Christ is the propitiation for our sins: He satisfied God's anger (righteous indignation) at sin by

paying the price

C. As a result we can now be friends with God again

D. Learn God's will and have wisdom to know when to pacify - soothe, etc and when necessary to

deal with problem

E. We must deal with sin, can't just smooth things over and let ourselves and others think

everything is all right, when it isn't

F. Have you allowed Christ blood to be the propitiation for your sins, thereby satisfying God on

your behalf?