You must know how to use the tools given you.”
–D.C. Adkisson (The True and Unbiased Life of Elias Butler)
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
–1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV)
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Why, why do we insist on living by the world’s ideas, philosophies, and systems? Yes, I understand that we live in the world, and therefore, we must to a certain extent live according to the culture in which we live, BUT, but we must have a Biblical worldview in which to live, view, and understand how we are to live. Paul writes:
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
–1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV)
There is no reason or excuse to say that the world controls us. No, as John Owens wrote, “A spiritual attitude of mind is no hindrance to secular work: even though a pot is full of chaff (the secular) you can still pour a lot of water (the spiritual) into the same place. In fact, as Christians we should make the workplace a better place for we are to be salt and light. We are not of the world, we do not view the world as those in it do, we do not seek the things of the world, yet we live here and thus must impart our abilities, gifts, and light to a darkened world.
Why do some Christians then insist on being part of the world? Paul refers to them as carnal Christians. We no longer continue to live on a carnal level. The Christian who desires to do so lives a life of perpetual conflict and repeated defeat. But know this, we have the Spirit of God within us to help us overcome, live a joyful and victorious life in the midst of this wicked and evil world. Alan Redpath said, “Every Christian–no matter how weak and feeble, how poor and helpless, perhaps with a sense of utter inability and frustration–whatever his own personal feeling may be, is indwelt by the Third Person of the Trinity.”
How then do we live, survive? There are two major components to preserving one’s spirituality while living and working in secular matters. First there must be a time set apart in the day for prayer and Bible reading, and even more for some Bible study. The spiritual man must be fed properly, or the carnal man will hunger more. This time of prayer and reading must be regular. I cannot emphasize that enough–regular, not haphazard, not willy-nilly, not when you feel like it. If not, other things will crowd it out of your life.
As people of the Spirit we should be led and guided by the Holy Spirit. We should, in fact, we must be sensitive to His leading and His character. We must seek to serve Him with all that is within us, not the things of the world. That involves a spiritual attitude, not a carnal one. Seek to have an earnest desire to spend more time with God, spend more time seeking and doing His well. Do not become friends of the world.
I like the way Dr. Henry Harbuck translates this verse, “Now we have not received the spirit (inner mind or disposition) of this age [that is of a human source], but the [Holy] Spirit Who comes from God, so that we may gain insight into the blessings and gifts that are freely given to us by God.” Oh, Lord, let us seek You more earnestly as we live and walk in this pagan world.