Influence of the World
Romans 12:1-2
Romans 12:1-2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Conforming to the world is happening. Everywhere I look there is more and more of the same worthless talk about the Oscars, the Emmys, the Grammys, the Academy, the Golden Globe, the Dove, etc. We are being bombarded with the sensual, the materialistic and the sick in the film making industry. We are like the frog in the kettle and it is time for the church to stand up and say enough. I do not want to be an American Idol; I cannot imagine the Apostle Paul desiring to be on the show to land $1 million contracts can you? I want to be an example of God to a sick and hopeless world. I am sick and tired of hearing about Anna Nichole Smith and who is divorced, who is having another’s baby and models who are anorexic in Hollywood. The newspaper, the magazines, the TV and the internet is filling our kid’s minds as well as our own with worthless trivia that greatly affects our priorities and future. I care about these individuals souls and want to see them come to Jesus, not study there sad lives with arrests, drug problems and marriage settlements.
1Co 2:12 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God”, God loves the world (Jn.3:16) but not the influence of the world on His people. The Christian is not ruined by living in the world, but by the world living in him and it is like a tidal wave all around us. The world's smiles are more dangerous than their frowns. (see James 1:27) Worldliness is what any particular culture does to make sin look normal and righteousness look strange. Why are we so blind to what is happening? I want to reach lost people as much as anyone but why are we lowering ourselves to believe the lies and becoming duped into thinking that this world has answers to life’s hardest questions?
I am not saying that watching TV, reading the newspaper, or anything of the like is sin, but I an sounding the alarm that we (you and I) are being greatly tainted by Hollywood and we need to keep our guard up or we will end up with a shallow and visionless life. What we do in moderation our kids will do in excess. Where will it end? Do we pray and read our Bible as much as watch TV, read the newspaper, I sure don’t.
A Christian Research Association survey has found that family is a much bigger influence on teenagers than peers, and that the militant secularism of 30 years ago has given way to a new openness to spirituality among young people. Your home is the number one influence in the life of your child. The average church has a child 1% of his time; the home has him 83% of his time and the school for the remaining 16%. This does not minimize the need for churches and schools, but it establishes the fact your home is 83% of your child's world and you have only one time around to make it of maximum benefit. Are you aware of your child’s heroes and what impact they are having on him? Do you see what is happening? Look at the posters on his/her wall. Listen to the music that they are filling their minds with. Check their computer for the sites they are visiting and their “my space” pages. Download their text messages and monitor their caller history on their cell phone. We live in a sick world that is stealing our kids, our time, our ministry and our churches. Again I am not saying that any of these are wrong or sin but it sure is leading us down a road of no return.
What does your church look like? Is it fluff and entertainment, or is the preaching of the word of God central?" "Do you go away with some tune in your head or are you leaving church in deep consternation over areas in your life." "If your church is not making you more a follower of Christ than you were and if it is not influencing people to Christ likeness, then it is not of God!" It is your responsibility to get yourself and your family in a church that is moving you to being more like Christ!
