"Do all things without complaining
and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without
fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine
as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice
in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain" (Philippians
2:14-16).
Paul's words show that every generation has its own perversity. In other words,
we are not the only ones to be challenged by the world around us. Christians
in the first century were challenged as well. If you want to read about an ungodly
world that rivals the perversion and evil of our own, just read the first chapter
of Romans, or a secular history of the first century Roman Empire. It follows
that the instructions given to disciples in the New Testament can serve as practical
advice to us as well. With that in mind, consider the following suggestions
designed to assist us in avoiding contamination by the very world in which we
live.
Recognize that God is the one who determines right and wrong!
Paul wrote of his concern for his nation, "For I bear them witness that
they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant
of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have
not submitted to the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:2-3). When we begin
to substitute our own views of what is right and what is wrong; what is good,
and what is evil; we are in trouble. As the prophet Jeremiah acknowledged, "O
Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to
direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). What do you think about modest
dress? How troubled are you by profanity? Does the depiction of sex in television
and the movies concern you? Do your views on moral issues differ from that of
your parents or grandparents? If so, is it possible that those views have been
molded by societal influences rather than upon a study and submission to God's
will? This is an important question that is sure to challenge your thinking
- if you dare ask it and answer it with honesty!
Change your Thinking! Paul pleads with us, "And do not
be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God"
(Romans 12:2). Worldliness troubles the people of God because we retain vestiges
of the thinking and reasoning that characterized our lives as sinners! Our own
wishes, desires, preferences and inclinations should now be irrelevant to our
decision making. Our only concern must be to do the will of the Lord! Paul said,
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ
lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the
Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
Set your priorities! One kind of worldliness is the pursuit
of material gain. This causes anxiety and a loss of perspective. In His sermon
on the mount, Jesus spoke of the Gentiles, who were anxious about what they
would have to eat, drink or wear. As such, their attention and interest were
on those things. Jesus told His disciples, "But seek first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore
do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient
for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:33-34). We need to understand
that the kingdom of God is of inestimable value (cf. Matthew 13:44-46). As such,
our focus should be on attaining it. As noted in our first point and repeated
by Jesus in Matthew 6, this is accomplished by seeking the righteousness of
God. Never let work, play, school, or even family come between you and your
pursuit of the kingdom. "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the
whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for
his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).
Run away from Temptation! Joseph is the poster boy to illustrate
the value of this. When Potiphar's wife grabbed him in an attempt to seduce
him, we are told, "But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran
outside." (Genesis 39:12). It cost him his freedom as false accusations
were made, but he maintained his righteousness and his standing with God. Paul
wrote, "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the
body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body" (1
Corinthians 6:18). He told Timothy, "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue
righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure
heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife"
(2 Timothy 2:22-23). Whenever possible, flee, avoid, run away from temptation.
To do so is not cowardice - it is wisdom and discretion!
Resist the Temptation you can't avoid! Our Lord serves as an
example here. When led into the desert to be tempted by Satan (cf. Matthew 4),
He resisted the devil at every turn. It is helpful to note that our Lord's resistance
was centered in scripture! At every turn the devil will seek to deceive, obfuscate,
confuse. When we have a firm grasp of God's will for us, and a desire to obey
that will, such tactics will be in vain. After Satan's efforts failed, Matthew
notes, "Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered
to Him" (4:11). We too are promised relief if we resist the efforts of
the wicked one, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will
flee from you" (James 4:7). Peter adds the following, "Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that
the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world" (1
Peter 5:8-9).
Defend the Truth! In the first century there were false teachers
who sought to lead brethren into worldliness. Peter warned of them, "For
when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts
of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those
who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves
of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into
bondage" (2 Peter 2:18-19). Their kind remain today, and as in the first
century, they claim to be righteous. This is not surprising. "And no wonder!
For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is
no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of
righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Corinthians
11:14-15). We need to be aware of the tactics of such teachers, and reject their
lies. But, we need also to acknowledge that "many will follow their destructive
ways" and "they will exploit you with deceptive words" (2 Peter
2:2-3). Therefore, to protect the vulnerable, we must heed the plea of Jude,
"I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly
for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).
Inoculate your children against worldliness! Fathers are instructed
by Paul, "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but
bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
Our children are so vulnerable to worldly influences. Sin is ever present, and
the electronic age (with televisions, computers, smart phones and social media)
brings sin from every direction. It also makes it more difficult for parents
to protect their children from unrighteousness. At no time in history has it
ever been more important to diligently instruct your kids. Consider the words
of Moses to Israel, "And these words which I command you today shall be
in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk
of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down,
and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall
be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of
your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).
Conclusion
Perhaps as the world becomes increasingly
hostile to the profession of our faith, we will become more aware of just how
ill fitting is our existence here on earth. The persecuted of past ages, "confessed
that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13). In
addition, they declared "plainly that they seek a homeland" (Hebrews
11:14). Their attitude is one we would do well to emulate.
By and large the American version of "Christianity" is not a 22nd
cousin of the "faith once for all delivered to the saints." Christians
are too often swayed by worldly values and pressures, and may not even realize
just how compromised they have become. May we all heed the warning of John,
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the
lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not
of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust
of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17).
Brethren, we need to wake up! We need to realize that we don't belong here on
this earth! We need to live our lives so that we will make it to heaven! "...Do
you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore
wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James
4:4).
By Stan Cox
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