This World Is Gonna Get You, If You Let It

1. This World Is Gonna Get You, If You Let It

Isn’t it funny how so wrapped up in the world we can get? Politics, media, the news, and so much else: we allow people to get into our heads, generate apathy or fear, allow them to divide and conquer. And I’m not blaming the people involved, my enemies are not flesh and blood, so those who are in politics, the media and the rest are pawns in a larger game who believe they have a modicum of control. No, our enemies are not flesh and blood, but principalities and powers. Those we meet, those on our screens and in our ears are made in the image of God, people for whom Christ has died, and they need prayers, and for me to seek their good. Yet, fallen man is under the rule of the Enemy of our souls. If we let it, this world is going to get us.

And why? Because Satan, the enemy of our souls, the prince of this world, knows he is falling, but his aim is to take as many down with him as possible. He rules with gilded cages and golden chains with padding on the cuffs. He makes us feel like we’re free to do as we please, but knows that the bill will eventually come due. And how he gets Christians is through dividing and conquering. As in the beginning, Satan gets us to disregard the word of God, keeping us either ignorant of God’s word, or divided by minutia and opinions within it. He knows that the Church is the last, best hope for the world, as we can point people to Jesus who can save them.

So, what can we do? Simply put, live by the leading of the Holy Spirit and in the Scriptures, all of them. Each one is God breathed, and is profitable for teaching, correcting, rebuking and training in righteousness, that we may be fully equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And the Spirit of God, whom Christ has caused to live inside of you will lead and guide you through those Scriptures to know the will and purpose of God. As we listen to the Scriptures, we hear God’s voice. As we’re guided by the Holy Spirit, He confirms the Scriptures to us again and again. This world is not our home: it is enemy-occupied territory. Let us, then, look to Jesus, because He is our only hope, and let us bring as many to Him as we can!

Romans 12

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.