When I listen to the news, commercials, or conversations around me I realize there are many things that vie for my attention. The words, agendas, and convictions of others have an affect upon me whether I realize it or not. What I do with the words I hear will impact my thoughts and my thoughts will form my beliefs, and my beliefs will determine my direction in life.
What words, agendas, or convictions of the world have you given power to?
Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians about this…
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12
We are surrounded by a culture that has many world views; many diverse convictions, agendas, and beliefs. Within them there are many things that are okay in and of themselves. There is no law against them, but they may not be helpful or good for you. It is one thing to be surrounded by the things of the world, but as a child of God you are not allow them to have any power over you.
Paul was addressing some issues of the early church and he reminded them of the things they used to do, some of the things that they had given power to, and had taken them captive.
“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Sexual immorality is rampant in today’s culture. Satan realizes purity in singleness and godly marriages are powerful influences for the kingdom of God. God created male and female to become “one flesh” in the covenant of marriage. The love and devotion they pledge to one another is a picture of Christ and His church. The intimacy they share with one another produces a legacy of godly off-spring. It is this beautiful and powerful gift from God that the enemy is adamant to steal, kill, and destroy by enticing people to come under the power of his lies that twist, pervert, and redefine.
Idol worship is imbedded in the core of our culture. Worship is a matter of the heart expressed by your lifestyle. It is the honor, love, and submission you give to something or someone. You were created to be loved by God and to worship Him alone! A life lived in the truth of who God is and of who you are brings God’s kingdom to earth and powerfully changes everything! It is the worship of God alone the enemy seeks to entice with the desires of the flesh. Everything around you promotes idol worship; to come under the power of material things, positions, and self.
Greed is what drives so much of our culture today. We have come under the power of “never enough.” God has always provided for His people and promises that those who seek Him first will never go without, but have everything they need. From the beginning in the Garden of Eden, Satan has enticed people to doubt that God is really good, that He is a good provider. Eve fell for the lie that she should take care of her self. That she should decide what was good for her. This is the lie the enemy still uses so that you come under the power of striving to take care of self.
Drunkenness and addictions plague our society and bring so much pain and brokenness. God has created us with a “void” that is intended to be filled with Him; empowered by His Holy Spirit, and overflowing with the fruit of the Spirit so those around us will taste and see that God is good. The enemy is threatened when God’s power is displayed and he rages when God receives glory. So he looks for the weaknesses of your flesh to discover how to entice to be sure you will to fill the “void” with a counterfeit.
“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,” Ephesians 5:18
You were created to give power to God alone and to be filled with His power!
A spirit-filled believer is a powerful force intended to bring the kingdom of God to earth so that His will and His works will be done here. It is this power that the enemy hates and he will do all he can to keep you from knowing about the power you have available. His strategies include; hiding the truth about the Holy Spirit, bringing division concerning the Holy Spirit, causing abuse of the Holy Spirit.
In today’s society you don’t need to look far to see those who have given power to the things of this world.
Paul wrote that many of the people of Corinth were “once like that.” And so today many believers in the church were like that, but perhaps many are still deceived in some of these areas.
There is a war between the lies of the world and the truth of God and you alone will decide which you will give power to.
Paul made the distinction between people who are of this world and those who belong to God. Believers don’t need to give power to anything other than God because…
“But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11
When you fully know and fully understand the truth of this verse you will not allow anything of this world to have power over you, but to live fully empowered by God!