If we just take a quick look around it’s not hard to see what kind of world we live in. And if you’re a young Christian it can be extremely confusing trying to figure not only yourself out but who you’re supposed to be in Christ. I had difficulty with this myself growing up. I was raised in many different religions and always had overbearing Christian adults trying shape me into their idea of what a Christian was. But for some reason I never felt right, I felt like God was talking to me and leading me away from false teachers. Following the unbeaten path wasn’t easy I endured a lot of heartache and abuse from people who called themselves followers of Christ, but I realized that you can’t put your trust in man because they will always let you down.
Here I am 25 years later and have studied many different religions and have an intimate relationship with God. I let God lead me in my everyday walk and make my words few but wise and unfortunately I’ve been considered less than a Christian because I don’t do the same things others do. I read God’s word and hide those words in my heart and use those words to keep me from falling into the traps of the enemy. And they are everywhere like land minds. Our television is polluted with sex, violence, etc. One report said by the time a child graduates from high school he has seen over 5 million murders because of TV and media. So it is extremely important to be aware of what you are allowing yourself to be subjected to. These things can have an effect on us without us even knowing. The truth is over a period of time if you are subjected to the same things over and over you automatically imitate them unawares. It’s a natural adaptation skill programmed into humans, so in order to beat this it means you have to rise above your sinful nature as man. That’s right being a child of Christ takes work, He never said it would be easy He only said it would be worth it.
It is very easy to get caught up in the things the world has to offer, the devil loves to use our sinful desires to appeal to us and slowly lead us away from the straight and narrow. I saw a new toy line on television the other day that was fashioned like “gods” and no one but me read between the lines and saw the real intention of the toys. My son went crazy over them and quickly started begging me for them; so see it doesn’t matter who you are or your status with Christ everyone can and will fall for the devil’s tricks eventually. The best remedy for that is to always stay alert to prevent from falling for the same tricks and the sad truth is the devil never uses anything new to get us. Stay in the word and in close connection with God and remember if you do fall you have a Savior who is ready and willing to forgive and take you back at any time.
For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and [Eccles 4:8; 5:11] the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. (1 John 2:16 ESV).
Do not be conformed to this world, [Greek age] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. [Or what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God] (Romans 12:2 ESV).
The Christian soldier must avoid two evils—he must not faint or yield in the time of fight, and after a victory he must not wax insolent and secure. When he has overcome, he is so to behave himself as though he were presently again to be assaulted. For Satan's temptations, like the waves of the sea, do follow one in the neck of the other.
—George Downame
