Elsewhere in this issue, we have spoken of the dangers of worldliness and how it drags the believer down spiritually. However, we must remember that in our Christian pathway, there must be both the negative and the positive. We find this brought before us in the Word of God, where we read, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:2121Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)). It is not enough merely to resist evil and not be overcome by it; in addition, we are to be the overcomers, presenting the good that replaces the evil. Surely in all His dealings with man, God never takes away something without giving that which is better in return, and we are to present God’s character to this world.
The Moral Breakdown
As to the evil in this world, we do not need to say very much, for to any true believer, it must be evident that the moral breakdown in the past half-century has been tremendous. Within even the past ten or fifteen years, this pace of degeneration has accelerated so greatly as to be almost mind-boggling. In most Western countries, God’s Word has been set aside, the theory of evolution has been elevated to the level of established fact, and absolutes in morality have been discarded. It could be said today, as it was said in the days of the judges in Israel, “Every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:2525In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)).
All of this has had a clear and definite impact upon the people of God, although the effect has been insidious. Most young people today cannot imagine life without such things as a cell phone, which usually also functions as a device that enables them to listen to music at any time, in any place. Likewise, most young people cannot imagine life without a television, videos, the Internet, and a personal computer. While television has been in common use for more than sixty years, such entities as personal computers, cell phones, and the Internet have become common only in the last twenty to twenty-five years. All have subtly contributed to a stronger connection to the world, not only among young people, but at any age. To give one example, a Christian friend of mine who is heavily involved in working with believers with addictions told me recently that about 80% of evangelical Christian men are “hooked” on Internet pornography.
Some of us are shocked at this, and perhaps we have not allowed such a thing in our lives. However, the continual “bombardment” of our minds by worldly things, available through these media, has a cumulative effect that begins to affect our attitude and spirit in a negative way. If we are not careful, our thinking is formed by the world rather than by the Word of God. While we may well do without the television, it is almost impossible today for children to get an education without having a computer and the Internet available to them, and it is almost impossible for many to do their secular jobs without cell phones, a computer, and the Internet. The answer is not to get rid of these things, but to use them wisely. Nevertheless, the temptations and potential for harm has been multiplied a hundredfold.
The Positive
This brings us to the positive aspect about which Scripture speaks. If we use such things as the Internet, we must realize that strong temptation exists, just as it does with the television. How can we avoid succumbing to that temptation? We have perhaps heard the old proverb:
“Sow a thought, reap an act;
Sow an act, reap a habit;
Sow a habit, reap a character;
Sow a character, reap a destiny.”
It is so easy to get started on a wrong road, yet so hard to get off it! But just as God wants us to forsake the world and its temptations, so He wants to fill our hearts with something better. If we want to avoid being overcome of evil, we must recognize that God is seeking to overcome evil with good, first of all in us, and then in our testimony to others.
We know that the things of this world never satisfy. We may be tempted to prove this by our own experience, but there is no need to do this, for God has recorded in His Word the experience of a man far richer and far wiser than any of us will ever be — Solomon. His experience with this world is given in the Book of Ecclesiastes, while His joy in something better is given in the Song of Solomon. The former is the cry of a heart too large to be filled by anything in this world, while the latter is the cry of one whose heart is too small for the object before it. Christ fills all things in heaven, and He is able to fill our hearts, too.
Inflow and Outflow
However, we are not intended simply to take in the things of Christ, without giving them out. A healthy lake must have both inflow and outflow. So God expects from the believer that “out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:3838He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)). Every believer has a service to the Lord, to fellow-believers, and to the world, and we should all be occupied in all of these. It is most important! An older brother, long since with the Lord, used to remind us that if we were more diligent in the work of the Lord, we would not be nearly so likely to fall into sin. This is true, for “Satan finds some mischief still, for idle hands to do.” If we are taken up with Christ’s interests here in this world, we will not be so apt to seek our own selfish interests, which often lead to sin.
I would suggest that this is most important, not only for us as individuals, but for our families. Children who are taught by their parents, both by precept and by example, to seek out the work the Lord has given them and keep busy at it will not be so likely to seek worldly companionship and amusement. It is the responsibility of parents to encourage this and to be found doing it themselves. For example, we can show hospitality, and not only to friends. Children can be taught to set aside part of their allowance to use for the Lord and for others. Families can visit neighbors and the elderly, perhaps bringing them a treat or simply to spend time with them. There are many other ways to encourage an outlook toward the Lord and toward others, rather than our thoughts being centered on self.
Christ’s Interests
In seeking to carry this out, we must remember that we are not here to seek out our own interests and to do our own wills. If our own happiness is before us, we will always be disappointed, and Christ will inevitably be dishonored. No, we are here to follow in the steps of the One who said, “I do always those things that please Him [the Father]” (John 8:2929And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29)). If we are content to seek Christ’s interests down here and to do the will of God, we will find that not only will we be kept from the defilement of the world, but that the Lord will look after our happiness. The pathway of obedience is a happy one; in fact, it is the only happy path.
The Difficulties
It is becoming more and more difficult to live for God’s glory in this world. We may, by grace, be able to avoid being overcome of evil, but then almost be paralyzed as to doing anything positive for the Lord. Let us not give in to this feeling, for it is of Satan. The command to the servants in the parable of the pounds (Luke 19) was to “occupy till I come.” There is work to be done right up until the Lord comes to call us home, and if we look to Him, He will show us what He wants us to do.
In conclusion, we need to be fully convinced that, despite the darkness of the day, it is not a time for discouragement. Rather, as the night grows darker, the light should shine brighter, for His grace is sufficient until the end.
W. J. Prost