I used to understand this verse as describing real worldliness: you know, as a teen: rock music, dancing, going to bowling alleys where there were lots of smoky rooms filled with shady hoodlums.
Now as a a woman a few years past my teens: it would be easy to just transfer that label to more age-appropriate descriptions & stay 'clean': no social (or any kind of) drinking, no 'soap operas' in the afternoon, no steamy romance novels or movies, etc.
That is not being 'conformed to this world', right?!
At some level, it probably is.
But I've been struck much closer to heart in my own life-- that obeying this verse is far from only the avoidance of some predetermined behaviors deemed 'worldly'.
If it were only so simple.
Being conformed to this world, as I scrutinize the corners of my own dark heart (Jer. 17:9), is looming always ever so close, like a vaporizer giving off its steam to permeate wherever it is allowed to drift...and so it wafts in.
I recognize it not in my desire to turn on 'Days of our Lives' or to peruse the 'Top Ten Sexiest Guys of 2008' on the cover of People. ( No struggle here.)
No, it is in the desires I don't have.
- The ease I fight in not loving God like I know I should & so want to--often because I love other things more...
- It is in the gymnastics that I mentally & spiritually do so that I don't have to face my own sinfulness in a problem or conflict--"there must be a reason/syndrome/formula/workshop that will provide me with an answer to free me from this dilemma!" I insist.
- It is in my own weakness that sometimes questions, 'is fighting off my sinful heart worth the fight?!!!"
In #1) Materialism & idolatry,
In #2) Avoiding personal responsibility [I'm the victim],
In # 3) "I deserve better" or "It shouldn't be this hard"
Ugly, huh?!
I so want to battle this!
How thankful I am for God's answer to this dilemma. It is in the second part of the above verse, and I'll write more on it in the days to come.
How does the world tempt you? What is your struggle?
hi Elaine, thanks for the link and some great thoughts. I have to laugh as your brain thinks much along the same lines as mine (which can be good...or not so good)lol
ReplyDeleteAlso got a kick out of Barb Brinks thoughts.
I had read Captivating quite a while ago and agree for the most part. Like so many of the "Christian books" out there the contents must be taken with a grain of biblical salt.
Your Christmas picture and letter was very fun and tell Jon congratulations on his professoral(is that a real word) position.
We are moving this month but will check back when I can.
Peace, Lauri
I think any woman living in today's society has to fight all of these battles. I know I do. Another struggle for me is tied in with idolatry-(putting an importance on the "temporary" rather than setting my mind on the "eternal"). Like a Hollywood actress all trussed up for a red carpet stroll, while inside she's thinking how much she hates her competition, I worry too much about how people see me instead of working on the heart where God perceives me.
ReplyDeleteThis is so very true. Avoiding the obvious pitfalls has become easier and easier...perhaps because they are so prevalent and apparent and everyone seems to discuss them and support each other as not to "fall". But what about the subtle "should do" list...we have a difficult time admitting that we are not in the Word like we should be or that we let our hectic schedule overtake us...again. Many of us tend treat our spiritual life like a diet...oh, I will start tomorrow. I have been guilty on all of these accounts and it is humbling to ask God for forgiveness yet again for what seems to be the same thing over and over. This journey is hard and it is not meant to be traveled alone. Thank you for your wisdom, Elaine. Thank you for your willingness to try to gather us together so we can learn and stay "on track" with one another's help. God bless, Sandy
ReplyDeleteHi Elaine, this is a beautiful site! Where can I sign up so you (through the Lord, Jesus Christ) can enlighten me daily, PLEASE! I love God's Word and would love to be encouraged in it to fight myself, you know what I mean?
ReplyDeleteGod was NEVER about individuality - only about personality (Oswald Chambers) - as I seek Him and His Way, the world tells me "its all about me and what I want, go for
it" - I constantly am trying to remember to tell myself that is NOT TRUE or GOOD or RIGHT - and NOT from God at all.
Thank you, dear sister, for your diligence in His Way - love ya! Debi Heyer