Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4
Your choice… become one with this world and its ways or choose to begin to live in His kingdom with the help of the Holy Spirit. As you press into the Lord Jesus’ Kingdom and the Holy Spirit, the more you will pull away from this world and its ways. Currently this world is becoming more and more hostile to those who follow Christ. The further one pushes into His kingdom the more the world will hate you. They will accuse you, and do all sorts of things to you just because you are His. Jesus promises us this.
Are you following His kingdom’s ways? Or are the world’s ways guiding and instructing your days and thinking? Who is your source of information? The Holy Spirit or the world? Who do you listen to more? Is the little black mirror in your hand becoming your immediate ‘go to’ for all of your questions? Or are you pausing and asking the Holy Spirit your questions? What or who is your source when you are seeking advice? Are you still desiring more of the world’s things and approval?
Just reading the scriptures is no longer enough. The Pharisees read the scriptures more than you do. The demons know the scriptures better than you do. But are you filled with the Holy Spirit and is HE instructing you in the scriptures… daily? Are you asking the Holy Spirit how the scriptures apply to your life? Or are you joining with the world and agreeing with its narrative of things. Are you gathering the world’s tools and connection points and immersing yourself with its desires? Or are you rejecting the world’s ways and temptations to join with those who hate God? Are you part of a ‘party’ that declares its hatred of God and Jesus? What groups do you belong to – and what are their real values? Do you actually know who you are aligning yourself with? Will you deny Jesus to be part of them just so you will be comfortable and liked? Are you gathering all of the connection points with this world, its technology, pharmakon (drugs), and entertainment, and adopting them into your body and mind? Are you even checking with the Holy Spirit about any of those decisions and choices? This is a real trap for the immature follower of Christ. What did Jesus say about the ‘seed’?
And He told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:3-9
Are you seeking deeper good soil? Who is discipling you? Who are you surrounding yourself with? Are you seeking the Holy Spirit out each day? Whose kingdom have you planted yourself in? Are you connecting more with those in the world or with those in Jesus’ kingdom? Just showing up to a Sunday morning entertainment time isn’t enough. You need the good deep soil of His kingdom to grow in.
Can you find it?