| God | Satan |
| Stills You | Rushes You |
| Reassures You | Frightens You |
| Leads You | Pushes You |
| Enlightens You | Confuses You |
| Forgives You | Condemns You |
| Calms You | Stresses You |
| Encourages You | Discourages You |
| Comforts You | Worries You |
Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. Romans 12:2 (TPT)
The apostle Paul was writing to the church in the First century, but his warning against imitating “the culture around you” is relevant today. I recall reading an article a few years ago in which the author theorized that in a majority, a relatively small number of individuals have strong convictions and the power to champion an issue. To get the majority opinion to change, all an advocate needs to do is sway the thinking of the opinion leaders. This leads to the condition described in Proverbs: Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. Proverbs 18:2 (NLT)
We see evidence of this in the way late-night talk show hosts, athletes, politicians, and other public figures, whose message is contrary to the Word of God, have become opinion leaders. As a result, our nation’s moral standards are being eroded. God is becoming persona non grata in schools, the entertainment industry, news organizations, and even some churches. Things Christians of thirty years ago would have considered an anathema, we now see sanctioned from the pulpit and legitimized in legislation.
It is not an exaggeration to say that many in entertainment, education, the arts, politics — and sadly — in the church seem to be taking their marching orders from Satan.
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. Ephesians 6:12
Who gives us our marching orders? If we are not careful, we can become little more than “pretending” Christians.
Check up on yourselves. Are you really Christians? Do you pass the test? Do you feel Christ’s presence and power more and more within you? Or are you just pretending to be Christians when actually you aren’t at all? 2 Corinthians 13:5 (TLB)
How do we remain authentic? The below verses may help you check your progress as you navigate our broken world:
Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.
So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Philippians 4:6-8 (TPT)
Are you familiar with the term “Stinking thinking?” Those negative, condemning thoughts that slip into our minds are part of Satan’s effort to keep us from knowing the joy that is found in a relationship with Christ. The devil wants to keep our focus on what we may have been instead of on what we are becoming.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
So, move onward Christian soldier, remembering it is the King of glory who gives us our marching orders.
Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies— he is the King of glory.
Psalm 24:10 (NLT)
Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Authors of Your Heart is an Open Book: Finding Answers in God’s Word
Image courtesy of Globalawareness101.org
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