We as people are not perfect. Sometimes we can lose focus. Sometimes we fall short. As we grow as Christians we understand that changes should occur. We don’t talk the same. We change our actions. Our goal should be to grow. However there are some of us that have chosen the comfort of the culture over the persecution of the Kingdom. We don’t immediately realize it or even realize it all. Perhaps individuals cannot see what they have become because they are a friend of the world.
The Culture
To be a friend of the world is to line yourself up with the world’s view of life rather than God’s. There are Christian’s that fall into this category because they fail to understand the influence of the culture in their life.
The culture creates a narrative, a playbook for those who choose to subscribe to follow. It tells us how we should dress, how we should vote and simple how to live our lives. The culture has the resources of money and influence to push their agendas. Agendas that push that one view, a global view is the only view that matters. Anything outside of this point of view is racist, short sighted or outdated.
To the average person, it’s business as usual. But to a Christian, red flags should immediately rise. We have forgotten what we stand for when it comes to how we should live our lives. We listen to any type of music. Identity politics instead of the teachings of the Bible govern our households. Because of this, we make our color more of a priority then who we serve. We rely on our feelings to make decisions instead of using discernment. We have forgotten that the battle that we face on a daily basis is a battle that cannot be fought by flesh and blood.
Music
If I said that everyone has a spirit, what would that mean to you? If I tell you that music will have the spirit of the artist in it, would you understand? There is a danger in listening to worldly music that we simply ignore. I’ve heard it all. “It feels good.” “It gets me in the zone.” I don’t expect anyone of the world to care but a person who chooses to live a Christ like life needs to understand that what they feed into their body will manifest in their life.
The most popular artists promote demonic practices and satanic rituals. They tell you in their music. You see it in their videos. Yet Christians can’t identify it. Or they simple ignore it because the culture loves it and they love the culture. A love that is more intimate than the love for the very God that has blessed them with life.
The Bible
The lack of knowledge comes from a lack of reading. The Bible is clear on who we should be but Christians will treat the truth as if it is a buffet. What I mean is, people will eat what they like and skip the food that they are not interested in. Better said, Christians will only follow the Word when it does not make them feel uncomfortable.
God told us to stay away from wickedness. We are to be humble yet when you check our social media pages we spend all day trying to find the right picture to exchange for likes. We become slaves to our followers. Why do we long for acceptance when we already have it from the person that matters? Our thirst or lust for things of the world drives us further away from Christ. But we would know these things if we spent time reading and in prayer.
The Church
Pastors play a key role in the lack of knowledge. Their prosperity preaching keeps “comfy” Christians feeling good on Sundays. These pastors fail to preach on the topics that can actually help church goers. When was the last time your pastor spoke on abortion, laws that are proposed that will hurt Christians or spiritual warfare? What about the events that are unfolding right in front of our eyes that are detailed in Matthew 24? How about the normalization of pedophilia and the attempt to over-sexualize everything? Does your pastor talk about how distractions are at an all time high? Did he mention that we need to be preparing spiritually and physically for the times to come?
We find that a lot of pastors have fallen as prey to the culture. They urge their congregation to political parties with policies that are in direct violation of what we believe as Christians. They fixate on one race as if heaven is segregated.
Some pastors even care to be viewed more as a celebrity then a person entrusted to preach the truth. A “comfy” Christian will thrive in this environment. No challenges. No convictions. This “comfy” Christian would even look at a bible believing Christian as “extra” or “extreme.”
Of the World
A good way for a Christian to know if they are of the world is to look at their daily actions. Do you live your life like a person that doesn’t know God? Is your color what identifies you? Do you challenge the culture? Are you excited when loves wins or when God wins. It takes a level of discernment to understand that what I’m saying is coming from a place of truth and not hate. None of us our perfect. In fact, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being Christ like.
To be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God. Just think about that statement. There will be a day when we stand before the King of Kings. You don’t want to hear those words “I don’t know you.” This will be the fate of many Christians which fail to see passed their feelings. They will love the comfort of chasing the world instead of chasing God.
Know that you are not alone. We should be a community but in order to grow, it may be wise to align yourself up with bible believing Christians. You will not be challenged by people who do not fear the Lord. Repent for your sins, follow God and not the world. To close, we are not here to be a friend of the world. We should love everybody in the world but we should not look or move like everyone of the world. You can’t live your best life if you are living without Christ.
Read. Pray. Grow.