Samethinganosis is a spiritual and mental malady that affects Evangelicals and Pentecostals alike. It is a dis-ease whereby one can acknowledge the failure of current ministry models, preaching topics, carnal innovations, educational foundations, “relevant” paradigms, etc….and STILL KEEP DOING THE SAME THING!
The Samethinganosis-afflicted individual can in fact, acknowledge the failures. That’s what makes the dis-ease so debilitating! They see the statistics, the expanding darkness, the trends, the socialism, the disregard and disrespect for Scripture and the God who wrote them, and the generational losses of youth and children, both spiritual and physical. Yet the "dis-ease" causes them to look to the world to fix the problems...i.e. doing the same things over and over that everyone else seems to be doing.
Any talk of shifting family and ministry towards a more “biblical” pattern is anathema to the Samethinganosis-diagnosed person. Such talk is usually met with counter talk questioning what is truly biblical. “Who knows what 'biblical' really means in our times anyway?” they say. So the cycle of continuing the “same thing and expecting different results" continues.
Some good news is that Samethinganosis rarely affects the temperament. These are some of the nicest, sweetest, kindest people around; just wonderful folks! But sadly, Samethinganosis seems to be contagious, afflicting pastors at the highest rate, who then pass it on to their congregants.
As a recovering Samethinganosis patient myself, I can say that the only cure seems to be a reading and re-reading of Scripture, and a “seeing” of Scripture as sufficient to order every area of life. So if you have the dis-ease or think you do, take these two Scriptures and call me in the morning:
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Psa 19:7-11 ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2Ti 3:16-17 ESV)
(Post made in jest...kinda.) ;)