Choose Godly Influences
The Holy Spirit has strongly impressed upon my heart and mind what the topic of this week's blog should be. Some of what I am writing now, has already been written, however, not only is it very important, I believe God is insisting I share it again. Even though I had other topics in mind, I must share what is on God's heart and not mine.
For this day and time, it is imperative that our hearts are in tune with God's heart. It is vital that our inner man (our heart) be protected from the influences of the world. Scripture divides history into two ages: 'this present evil age', which is dominated by satan and 'the age to come', which has been initiated by Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:1-4,"Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." From these verses, we see that the 'god of this age' blinds the minds of people, they choose not to believe and this results in their inability to see the glory of Christ. The Greek word for blinded (typhloo) metaphorically means to blunt the mental discernment, darken the mind. Sadly, many in the world today abide in that place. Thank God though, for Galatians 1:3 and 4, "Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father" Yes! Christ gave Himself so that we might be delivered from this present evil age.
In seeing and hearing the inordinate amount of anger, resentment, bitterness, and pure hatred being expressed every day, it is easy to recognize that these attitudes and behaviors are not from God. Lying, stealing, destructiveness, and cheating are not from God. The course of action of the world does not produce any good thing.
It is true that there are many evil influences in the world today, which clamor for our attention; and yet, there are also godly influences before us. Deuteronomy 30:19, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live,..." Our understood subject for the second half of this verse is the word, "you." You choose! Each one of us chooses life or death. Each one of us reaps the result of our own choices.
1 John 2:15-17, "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. 16 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. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." Not only do the worldly choices we make not produce any good thing, they are also temporary, where as, the ways of God are eternal.
As we discuss the differences between worldly and godly choices, let's look at Galatians 5:19-23, "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."
When my children were young, they sang a song at church called, "The Computer Song" by Bill Gaither. The lyrics went something like this: "input, output...what goes in, is what comes out..." Each of us is responsible to feed out heart, mind, and spirit. What we feed them will determine our behaviors, attitudes and actions. Will we choose to feast on the works of the flesh (world) or the fruit of the Spirit? Will we choose to be mean and vicious or gentle and loving?
Matthew 12:35, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things."Matthew 15:18 and 19, " But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." The words a person speaks are a result of what they are feeding on, and taking into their heart!
I wish people who spew hatred and bitterness on social media could hear themselves. They certainly are not walking in love. I Corinthians 13: 4-8 (Amplified Bible), " Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. 5 It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. 7 Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. 8 Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]." ….
If what you are hearing is not godly, quit listening to it. Just because something is on social media, does not mean you need to read it or listen to it or watch it. You seriously need to consider whether or not what you are seeing or hearing is actually true. Remember, what you read, hear or see (input) IS influencing your heart and mind.
Proverbs 4:14-27, " Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on. 16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. 20 My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil." Keep your heart with all diligence by the choices you make, by choosing carefully what you are going to allow to enter your heart, mind and spirit, and thus influence you.
God is love! If you are going to be like Jesus, you must reflect His character. You have to walk in His love and love others as He has loved you. John 15:9-12, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
1 John 4:7-11, " Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
There is only one way for us to be able to walk in the Spirit. The greatest influences in our lives must be the Word of God and listening to those who have also been influenced by God's Word. Connect with godly men and women in the world who proclaim God's Word. Choose godly friends. Connect with pastors who teach and proclaim God's Word. Attend a Bible based, Bible preaching church. Make sure that the people who influence what you think and believe, are those who believe God's pure Word, whether they are friends, fellow church members, or those you seek out on social media. Your life (eternal life) depends on it.
Be cautious to not be moved or controlled by your emotions. Rather, be moved or controlled by the truth of God's Word. Our emotions are affected by what we see and judge by our feelings. 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us, " For we walk by faith, not by sight." The devil, your adversary, will always try to influence you through lies, half truths, playing on your emotions, or your flesh.
Our main influences and what we must be moved by is one thing, God's Word as revealed by His Spirit. Then, we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. John 8:31 and 32, " Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Once we are rooted and grounded in the truth, with God's help, we will not be deceived, we will be in tune with His heart, and we will be protected from the influences of the world!
Philippians 4:7 and 8, "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."