“…And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world just as I do not. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth – John 17:14a, 15 & 17 (New Living Translation)
UNHOLY “ENVIRONMENT”
The Christian life is lived within an unholy world and all believers face various forms of temptations because of this. Some go through some harrowing experiences, they live right bang in the midst of undeniably sinful environments. Christians in commerce and business may often come under extreme pressures to compromise both legal and ethical standards to satisfy the greed and dishonesty of influential members of the business community.
Rumours are rife in this country that one cannot get contracts unless one belongs to the right groups and is also prepared to pay certain quotas to certain circles. Patients and their relatives are also said to have to pay monies up-front to unscrupulous and inhumane medical and para-medical officials. Parents looking for placements for their wards are also sometimes compelled to bribe greedy school officials.
As Christians we must be aware that we face such diabolical and vicious assaults on our minds and in our hearts. Ignorance about the devil’s wiles will make it difficult to maintain our personal holiness because we will not know that we have power to overcome such wicked and destructive attacks.
PREPARE FOR WAR
Ephesians 6:10-18 makes it quite clear that because we are at the battle-front, God has given us the right armour for the battle. “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (New Living Translation)
We also read in James 1:27 that part of true religion is refuse to let the world corrupt us. We must daily engage in the battle of being separate from the world and yet living in it. Withdrawing is not the answer and that is why Jesus prayed in John 17:15 that God should keep us here on earth but protect us from the evil one. Jesus never promised (nor is it said anywhere in the Bible concerning God’s people) that it would be easy to live in this godless, reprobate world. On the contrary we are warned to expect ridicule Matt. 5:11-12 and abuse 1 Peter 4:3-4; 2 Tim 3:12.
If we stand against wrongdoing we might be even attacked BUT, part of the warfare is to resist and reject the world’s putrefying influence even in the face of extreme pressures. God’s Word is our guide and strength. Which is why James says that we should humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong to save your soul. And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don’t obey you are only fooling yourself – James 1:22 – New Living Translation.
NO HYPOCRISY OR DOUBLE-TALK
In Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan talks of someone called Mr. Talkative who prided on being adaptable in any kind of situation and company. Some of us are like Mr. Talkative: we have two types of life styles with their attendant vocabulary – one to suit our Christianness and the other to suit our worldliness. Again James says that those who profess to be Christians but live otherwise are like those who look into the mirror and as soon as they take their eyes away, forget what they look like.
There are many people who genuinely want to know who they are. They are in a serious crisis of identity. If we have genuinely believed in Christ Jesus as Saviour and Lord, we have had that crisis settled. We know who we are. We are children of God – John 1:12-1, beloved children – 1 John 3:1. We should set an example for others to come into this wonderful and blessed assurance. Being chameleons will not help them nor us.
DON’T BE ASHAMED OF CHRIST
One of the greatest strengths we have in maintaining our holiness in this depraved world is to openly identify with Christ. Like Paul we should be able to say that: 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 – Gal. 2:20 – New King James.
We are to be gracious but firm in living according to this conviction because such gracious but open identification will spare us from some of the temptations even if it will earn us accolades such as Chrife, Holy, Holy or Wet blanket. If for nothing at all, it will save us from adapting to our sinful environment as Mr. Talkative did. A lot of students on our campuses and Christians in very “secular” job situation think they can avoid ridicule and abuse by playing it safe. Take it from me – it will not work to your advantage. You will be miserable! You have to maintain your stand in Christ.
“ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION”
The pollution from our unholy surroundings is pervasive and we still get into contact with it even though we openly confess Christ – what with obscene jokes and songs on the airwaves; lewd pictures on the TV; near pornography in magazines and newspapers! In addition to this are the institutionalized lies and half-truths, ‘official’ corruption and bribery, the injustices, constant gossiping of our co-workers and neighbors, the numerous dishonest shortcuts taken by businessmen and women and the political chicanery in high places.
We can only be sanitized from this pollution through the Word of God. When we study (diligently read to seek its whole counsel) and meditate on the precepts of the Bible our minds are cleansed and renewed and will serve as a whole and continues guard against the many temptations which assault our eyes and thoughts.
KEEPING PURE MIND AND HEART
In Psalm 119:9 David said: How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your Word. It is the Word of God that is able to garrison us against the marauding onslaughts of the world’s corruption because through the study of God’s Word our minds get renewed and such renewal impacts our lives by enabling us to be transformed. We are no longer as we used to but living in the power of God who lives in us by His Spirit as we read in Rom. 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.” (New Living Translation)
When we make it a deliberate habit to spend much time in the study of and meditation on God’s Word, the verses we memorize come in very handy as divine weapons of warfare against the corrupting influences and circumstances that assail us as we read in 2 Cor. 10:3-5 “It is true that we live in the world, but we do not fight from worldly motives. The weapons we use in our fight are not the world’s weapons but God’s weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; we pull down proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.” (Good News Bible).
To be Continued!
Stay Blessed!
Please note that the preaching program on Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays at 5:30 am has been temporarily put on hold. However, please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays at 5:30 am and YFM 107.9 – Sundays at 6:30 am for our Radio Bible Study, as well as on Sunny 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm for Hymns and Their Stories.
