I Let Too Much of the World In

Ephesians 4 says to have nothing to do with unfruitful works of darkness. In prayer and study, the Holy Spirit has been working on me in this regard: I let the world in far too often (maybe once is too much, but I don’t know). In the things I watch, the entertainments I consume, the music I listen to, I am finding myself shutting it off, or fast forwarding through content. In my thinking, I’m being challenged by Scripture to consider that I am placing my own ways and thoughts into my family life, my ministry and my daily walk with Jesus. I need help! I need Jesus.

Romans 12:1-2 tells us to be living sacrifices, and this is an act of worship, and then, not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we can test the good and pleasing and perfect will of God. I quote this often, but today I’m really considering the ramifications. Why sacrifice? Why be transformed? Because God knows what is best for us. All too often, we think we can “help God,” by making His path more efficient or taking a quicker and easier path, or we chase after desires that are more hurtful and harmful to us, even though in the moment they seem fine. By denying ourselves, by taking up our crosses, by dying every day to ourselves and living to God, we submit to His will, and He transforms us in to who He desires us to be. Even in the storms of life, within God’s will, there is peace. And God desires to bring us that peace, but it comes only as we submit.

1 John 2:15-29

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 desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.