AVOID BEING CAUGHT UP IN WORLDLY TRENDS

 AVOID BEING CAUGHT UP IN WORLDLY TRENDS

February 29, 2024

 

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi 

"You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God." James 4:4 NLT

    "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." 1 John 2:15‭-‬16 NLT

   A true disciple of Christ is driven by the divine purpose of winning souls for God's kingdom. Any person claiming to be a follower of Jesus Christ and  is comfortable with not leading anyone to God's kingdom has a questionable salvation . 

   The power of the gospel : the anointing - is revealed in the salvation of souls for God's kingdom ( Rom.1;16-17) Our lives should lead people to Christ and make them uncomfortable living in sin . The disciple of Christ is light that reveals the dark parts of the human heart resulting in confessions of  sins and salvation .

    The worldly Christians is that persons who lives to please the world and has no moral boundaries . Such persons are not accountable to any pastor ,they are Lords unto themselves  . A true disciple is under spiritual authority (Heb13:7,17)  A rebellious Christian is under the spirit that governs the world's system ( The prince of the power of the air Eph.2:2) .They are inconsistent and unreliable in a marriage relationship.

 The disciple of Jesus Christ is not led by worldly trends. Whenever a christian deviates from the truth of the gospel ,they receive a distorted spiritual identity and become confused about their calling ,this confusion results in a low self - esteem .The bible says 2 Peter 1: 9 says ' But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.' 

  The lack of self-esteem by Christians  who have compromised on their faith results in a an unhealthy desire to belong or be noticed . It is this desire to belong that results in such persons getting caught up in trends  ,fads and media. This is a major destroyer of marriages . Such  persons become emotionally wasteful and soon get frustrated about being committed to a relationship . 

    Trends are usually short lived , and it results in a short lived devotion to the important things of life . Been caught up in fads is financially and mentally demanding and a major reason for emotional exhaustion and the inability to have savings by many couples. We should resist being influenced by trends that drain instead of build us up. If it does not result in a better relationship with the lord , a happier family , peace with one's neighbours , higher devotion to discipleship ,then its not worth it . ( Exodus 23;2a,Col 2:8, Rom12:2a,Psalm1:1) 

   Entertainment is the most influential instrument of enculturation , social media has facilitated the rate  at which harmful material are distributed . Content matters a lot when being entertained , words and visual images are powerful and addictive. Many disciples have lost their passion for Christ due to unhealthy entertainment. ( Psalm 101:3, Psalm 119:37, Isa 33:15,2Kings17:15)  While attending  parties , social gatherings , maintain your boundaries in a friendly manner  ( Rom 13:13,14,1Pet 3;3,4) 

Prayer : Heavenly father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and savior and receive the Holy Ghost and power to resist temptation in Jesus name .

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