In the world, not of the world

Ever heard the song that goes, "be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little eyes what you see, because our Father above, He's looking down with love, so be careful little eyes what you see"? It's a children's song, but it still shows us something today.
It goes on to say "be careful little ears what you hear. Be careful little hands what you do. Be careful little mouth what you say. Be careful little feet where you go..."

I was wondering what I should post about today and well, God showed me (and convicted me).

We live in a dark, sinful, evil world. But I heard somewhere that it isn't just dark because of the dark, but because of the absence of light.

We are to be in the world, not of the world.

To be honest it's easy to be caught up in what the world does. But like that song says, we need to guard our ears, eyes, mouth, and watch what our hands do and feet go.
 Sometimes it's easy to be able to tell what's good and bad. But other times it's easy to be distracted by what isn't exactly bad, but what distracts us from the Bible. An idol is anything that takes place above God. We say, 'of course I don't worship idols'... but are you putting something above God or your time with God? Is there something stopping you from doing what God wants you to do? Examine your life right now.

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

Do not be conformed to this age. Don't fall into the trap of this sinful world. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you can discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Philippians 4:8, "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things."

Whatever is pure, lovely, commendable, whatever has moral excellence, if there is any praise... dwell on those things. It's easy for your thoughts to wander, sometimes they can wander to bad things. Don't dwell on that. Don't dirty your mind with the world's garbage. It's not healthy. Dwell on what is good. Dwell on Jesus.

Matthew 16:26, "What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?"

There is no benefit to gaining the world if you lose your soul. The world and it's things are temporary (Matthew 6:19-21). But God is eternal.

Jim Elliot, a missionary to Ecuador, who was killed for his faith, said these words, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

It's better to give up what we can't keep, to gain what we can't lose.
Meaning: it's better to give up something that is temporary... like if something is taking its place above God, or if it's not good. To gain what we can't lose. Jesus is the One thing we can't lose. Our faith in Him, our joy and love in Him, we can never lose that.

~~~

Examine your life. Is there anything that takes place above God? Is there something you are more obsessed with than God and His Word? Something that you love more than God and His Word? Are there thoughts that you think about regularly that are not good? Are you shining His light on this dark world?

God has convicted me with this post. These are hard questions. Really think about them.

Always remember: this world is temporary, God is eternal. Look up.

Shine His light :)