How to Survive the (spiritual) Zombie Apocalypse

Note: Alan Hitchen, who normally authors these weekly blog entries, is on vacation this week.  Our web master, Jeff Cox, is filling in for him during his absence.

Introduction.  Zombies - they are everywhere!  On TV, in movies, in video games, and even as bumper stickers, they are very popular in today's culture.  Whether the result of a viral infection, a government experiment gone wrong, or an alien species like the Borg in Star Trek, it seems easy to become one with a resulting loss of reason & self-control and a single-minded pursuit of something (typically human flesh, especially brains).  On the Internet you can find frequent references to the coming "Zombie Apocalypse" as well as how to survive it.
 
From a Christian perspective, we understand real zombies do not exist (“… the body without the spirit is dead” James 2:26).  Plus most depictions today are visually explicit with blood, cannibalism, gore, and unrestrained violence; things wise Christians need to avoid (Phil. 4:8).
 
But can we make spiritual applications of the concept of "zombies" where it is somewhat easy to lose one's ability to think to some degree and/or get overly focused on pursing something to the detriment of ourselves and others?  Are you able to identify "spiritual zombies", "isolate" them to avoid getting contaminated, and seek "treatment" if you realize you are infected?  In other words, do you know how to survive the (spiritual) Zombie Apocalypse?

Step 1 – Identify.  First, you need to be able to identify different types, symptoms, and locations of spiritual zombies in order to avoid becoming infected.  Here are four types for your consideration.
 
Worldly Zombies.  Especially in the United States, it is easy to become a "worldly zombie", spiritually speaking.  The ever-present lure of worldly pleasures, fortune, & fame often infects people with a somewhat unthinking pursuit of them.  In its most virulent forms, people get wrapped up in self-destructive behaviors (drinking, drugs, pornography, fornication, adultery, gambling, etc.) that harm themselves, their marriages, and/or their families.  Less virulent forms can show up as a lack of balance with some worldly pursuits taking excessive time, effort, and attention at the expense of more important matters. 

• “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17
• “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” Matt. 13:22

This condition infects not only non-Christians, but also those who claim to follow Christ.  Symptoms include not only overtly self-destructive behavior as noted above, but also a worldly attitude in seeking entertainment or recreation under the canopy of "worshipping God" or in having casual attitudes toward the modest dress, mixed swimming, social drinking, gambling, profanity “euphemisms”, and such.
 
Blind Zombies.  In a culture somewhat dominated by “Christianity” and popular religious holidays like Christmas & Easter, it is somewhat easy to be “religious”.  The danger is in "going with the flow" and simply (blindly) following what your parents, pastor, preacher, rabbi, church tradition, or friends say.  Without making the effort to deeply probe what the Bible really teaches, people can be easily misled, become "blind zombies", and mislead others in turn with a false sense of being saved.

• “And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?” Luke 6:39
• “‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Matt. 15:8-9 (NKJV)
• “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess. 5:21
• “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15 (NKJV)

Blind zombies can be found in many religious groups, especially those that emphasize obedience to a religious leader/hierarchy (“Our preacher can’t be wrong.”) or church tradition (“We’ve always taught that or done it this way.”)
 
Secure Zombies.  Many religious organizations today teach a person can be saved somewhat easily.  You may hear various phrases like “Come as you are”, “Accept Jesus as your personal Savior”, “Just say the ’Sinner’s Prayer”, “Salvation is a matter of Grace Only & Faith Only”, “Once Saved, Always Saved”, or “Jesus has already forgiven you of all your sins past, present, and future.”  While some of these may express an element of truth, too often they give the believer a false sense of security who then lives their life accordingly.  As a "secure zombie", they may “talk the talk” of being a Christian, but they don’t “walk the walk” on a daily basis in living a holy life, repenting of sin, and such.

• “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matt. 7:13-14 (ESV)
• “’Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”  Matt. 7:20-21 (NKJV)
• “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9-11 (NKJV)

Even among churches of Christ that deny "Once Saved, Always Saved", some members live like it was true with casual attitudes toward attendance, Bible study, prayer, influencing others for good, and such.
 
Cold Zombies.  We humans are creatures of habit.  Unless we are careful, we can easily slip into a sense of mindlessness, "go thru the motions”, and get “stuck in a rut”.  As a "cold zombie", we can be doing what is right in compliance to God's Word, but with little emotional involvement.  More advanced symptoms include a loss of motivation & zeal or an impatience & inability to relate to other’s problems.

• “… left thy first love.  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;” Rev. 2:1-5 Ephesus
• “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  … be zealous therefore, and repent.” Rev. 3:14-19 Laodicea
• “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Phil. 2:1-3 (NKJV)
• “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Rom. 12:15

Cold zombies can be found in most religious organizations.  That includes congregations that place strong intellectual emphasis on knowing the Truth, Bible study, proper Bible interpretation techniques, and such (which is good), but lack a similar emphasis on patience, compassion, empathy, gratitude, and thankfulness.
 
Step 2 – Isolate.  A second step to surviving the spiritual Zombie Apocalypse is to avoid becoming infected as well as to encourage those infected to get help.

• “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:21
• “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Rom 16:17
• “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ ” 1 Cor. 15:33
• “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Eph 5:11

Step 3 – Seek Treatment.  Finally, for those showing symptoms of becoming a zombie, there is “Good News” of a multi-dose treatment/antidote that includes:

• Dose #1: “We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
• Dose #2: “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thess. 2:10
• Dose #3: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” Acts 2:38
• Dose #4: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
• Dose #5: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Heb 10:23-25

Conclusion.  Hollywood zombies are not real.  But spiritual zombies are very real and are everywhere!  Can you identify the symptoms?  Can you avoid being contaminated by those infected? And if you are infected, will you accept the treatment?
 
The (spiritual) Zombie Apocalypse is already here.  Will you survive it?