Christian Living

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December 14, 2011 – Sensitized or Synchronized?

33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] – John 16:33 AMP

I have overcome the world. These words of Jesus resonate through the halls of churches and should be in the heart of every believer. If that is the case then why are Christians struggling with so many worldly problems? Maybe these professed believers think Jesus was selfish and just kept all the overcoming only for Him. Look at the “Christian” world. The church is filled with lies and lust just like society. Christian parents allow their children to verbally abuse them and credit such behavior to the identity of a younger and more rebellious generation. Christians even justify sins in their life as burdens Christ has them bear. But the truth is that Jesus did the most unselfish act ever. He gave up His own life so that we all have the chance to spend eternity with Him. That’s a sacrifice that not many people would be willing to make.

Jesus wants us all to overcome the world through a relationship with Him. No, I’m not living in the dark ages, nor do I live in a hole in the ground. Jesus had neither automobile nor the internet. But look at His life a little closer. Jesus tackled lust head-on. He called out the hypocrites. He provided sound instruction on marriage, greed, loving others, and purity of life. His teachings are there for all to read. The sad part is that Christians many times would rather be part of the world around them and not be set apart from it.

Marlo and I spoke recently with a fellow believer about the state of the world we live in. We talked about the downward spiral society is headed in morally. We talked about how the Bible prophesizes the times we are living in. We talked about how things are only going to get worse until Jesus Himself sets foot on the Mount of Olives. We talked about how even Christians have desensitized themselves to words, images, and even music in everyday life. But this person slipped and used the word synchronized rather than sensitized. Although the slip was unintentional, the word stuck with me. It stuck because the more I see and hear about Christians and the church, the more I believe our faith has begun to synchronize itself to the world and not be sensitive to it.

Synchronization involves conformity. As Christians we are not called to conform to the world (Romans 12:2). But when believers accept worldly behavior and allow it to integrate into their families, they are conforming to the world. When they allow their children to act contrary to the Bible because “everyone else’s child acts that way,” that’s conformity. When they continue to watch the same television show every week because it has “some profanity and only occasional sexual innuendo” they are compromising their purity. And when husbands or wives go out of their way for a cup of coffee daily because they like the way the clerk smiles at them, they are going down a path that makes them worldlier every day. That is synchronization to the world.

In contrast, Christians should be very sensitive to the world around them. Jesus said in today’s verse that we are to take courage and be confident in the fact that He overcame the world for us. Now this doesn’t mean you can sit idly by and allow constant immorality into your life. It means that by your relationship with Jesus you have victory over the world, but if the relationship is weak or nonexistent, you really can’t expect there to be much of a victory. You have to stand for your beliefs for Him no matter how much the world tries to frustrate you. You have to teach your children to be children of God and not children of society. You have to turn off the television to keep filth out of your home and your heart. You even have to separate yourself from false teaching if you hear it. Sure, the Bible says that things are only going to get worse in society from this point forward, but that doesn’t mean you have to choose to let it have its way in your life or in your family.

Only when Christians become sensitive to the immoral world around will their witness be effective. Do not compromise what the Bible says. Separate yourselves from impurity (2 Timothy 2:22). Teach your children Biblical principles rather than worldly ways (Proverbs 22:6). If you hear someone teach something contrary to the Bible, avoid them (Romans 16:17). It may not seem easy, especially if you have continually compromised in your life. But trust me; the more you live for God, the easier it will become.

Have you synchronized your life to the world? Are you excusing away worldly behavior in your life and blaming it on society? Is your life compromising to God? Is your life sensitive to the world around you, or do you still need to overcome it? Whether for God or not, the choice is all yours.

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