He chuckled at how people are so easily convinced of new practices.”
–B.N. Rundell (The Trail to Rebellion)
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”
–Romans 8:5 (NLT)
———————————
When I developed my apologetics course I dealt with the premise that everyone has a worldview. They may not know what it actually entails; they may not be able to explain it thoroughly, but it is there. It determines how one views God, life, and death. “Modern man is faced with a supermarket of world views; all of them claim to represent reality.” (Probe) With that thought in mind, know also, that these worldviews, under the direction of the master deceiver, are attempting to control you, destroy your fellowship with God, cause chaos in your life, and confusion in your mind.
Paul reminds us, “Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish?” (1 Corinthians 1:20, HCSB) This is one reason why the world hates Christianity; it has an answer. They become angry when their opinion is rejected. (Who are they to debate the Almighty?) Why do you think there was so much anger directed at Charlie Kirk?
Friend, let no one fool you–there is a real, intense battle for the mind. We are warned, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV) I like the way that J.B. Phillips translates this verse, “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Thus you will prove in practice that the will of God is good, acceptable to him and perfect.”
Our thinking should be (must be) changed. We are to look at life through a god-like mind. This means we must have a Biblical worldview. Think of all the choices out there (and I daresay that some of you practice some of them):
pluralism materialism secular humanism
relativism postmodernism progressivism
globalism consumerism communism/socialism
fascism Islam cosmic humanism (new age/pantheism)
The shame of it is that many Christians practice what is called syncretism. They try to mix some of the above with that of Biblical Christianity. Compromise just a little here and there. Choose your opinion over the word of God. Do right in your own eyes, saying that it is okay. Know this, Paul tells us that we cannot live like the world, even just a little, for “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6) See, it is a constant battle. Sometimes a real fight, sometimes it is subtle. Warren Wiersbe tells us that, “The world wants to control your mind, but God wants to transform your mind.”
Don’t think that it is possible to be a socialist and a Christian. Don’t think that it is possible to be a postmodernist or a relativist or a pluralist and a Christian. I am reminded of the words of Jesus where He says, “no one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24) Don’t fool yourself. This daily battle, this daily transformation must be continually fought and worked on. It starts with a morning time with the Lord, a little time of prayer and devotion. Then it continues throughout the day thinking of the things that come your way through the mind of Christ, and then, and this is important, there must be a time during the day for some kind of deeper Bible study. Let me close with the words of Romans 12:2, from Henry Harbuck’s translation: “Do not live according to the [corrupt] standards of this present age any longer [by following an immoral lifestyle], but be changed by the renewing of your mind–(that is, adopting a different attitude in your mind) and rejecting sinful lifestyles…”
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”
–Romans 8:5 (NLT)
———————————
When I developed my apologetics course I dealt with the premise that everyone has a worldview. They may not know what it actually entails; they may not be able to explain it thoroughly, but it is there. It determines how one views God, life, and death. “Modern man is faced with a supermarket of world views; all of them claim to represent reality.” (Probe) With that thought in mind, know also, that these worldviews, under the direction of the master deceiver, are attempting to control you, destroy your fellowship with God, cause chaos in your life, and confusion in your mind.
Paul reminds us, “Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish?” (1 Corinthians 1:20, HCSB) This is one reason why the world hates Christianity; it has an answer. They become angry when their opinion is rejected. (Who are they to debate the Almighty?) Why do you think there was so much anger directed at Charlie Kirk?
Friend, let no one fool you–there is a real, intense battle for the mind. We are warned, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV) I like the way that J.B. Phillips translates this verse, “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Thus you will prove in practice that the will of God is good, acceptable to him and perfect.”
Our thinking should be (must be) changed. We are to look at life through a god-like mind. This means we must have a Biblical worldview. Think of all the choices out there (and I daresay that some of you practice some of them):
pluralism materialism secular humanism
relativism postmodernism progressivism
globalism consumerism communism/socialism
fascism Islam cosmic humanism (new age/pantheism)
The shame of it is that many Christians practice what is called syncretism. They try to mix some of the above with that of Biblical Christianity. Compromise just a little here and there. Choose your opinion over the word of God. Do right in your own eyes, saying that it is okay. Know this, Paul tells us that we cannot live like the world, even just a little, for “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6) See, it is a constant battle. Sometimes a real fight, sometimes it is subtle. Warren Wiersbe tells us that, “The world wants to control your mind, but God wants to transform your mind.”
Don’t think that it is possible to be a socialist and a Christian. Don’t think that it is possible to be a postmodernist or a relativist or a pluralist and a Christian. I am reminded of the words of Jesus where He says, “no one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24) Don’t fool yourself. This daily battle, this daily transformation must be continually fought and worked on. It starts with a morning time with the Lord, a little time of prayer and devotion. Then it continues throughout the day thinking of the things that come your way through the mind of Christ, and then, and this is important, there must be a time during the day for some kind of deeper Bible study. Let me close with the words of Romans 12:2, from Henry Harbuck’s translation: “Do not live according to the [corrupt] standards of this present age any longer [by following an immoral lifestyle], but be changed by the renewing of your mind–(that is, adopting a different attitude in your mind) and rejecting sinful lifestyles…”