You are not of this world!

The book of John states that’ the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). Troubling thought, don’t you think?

The world, which God created, its physical construct , population , morality, and its the temporal nature , are all currently but not permanently under the influence of Satan ( 2 Corinthians 4:4). Satan, the god of this world, has deceived and continues to deceive the whole world by blinding the minds of God’s people so that they cannot see or know the glory of Christ who is the image of God ( Ephesians 2:1-2 ). Scripture further tells us that Satan, the father of all lies, loves himself more than God ( John 8:44).

For you have said in your heart, I will ascent into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds (again, exalting himself); I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:13 -14 (KJV)

Satan desires to be exalted like God.
Which is why, it should not surprise you that he has saturated this world with his thoughts, his will and desires , for the purpose of conforming all creation into an image of ‘self’. Satan wants us to be self- centred, just like him. The 5 ‘I’ statements in Isaiah 14:13-14, only confirm this. Satan’s nature is sinful, rebellious, prideful and self exalting. He is a rejector of the Truth, which is consistent with the self-expression of God and who he is. There is no truth in Satan.

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. John 8:44 KJV

When your spiritual state indicates that your attitude and actions are in allegiance with the devil. You will discover that your life will struggle to find room for God and his Son Jesus Christ. Your prayer life dwindles, your reading of the word takes a backseat and your fellowship with the brethren will no longer hold importance, because your soul has found comfort in the world and its system and has yielded to the desires of its god ( Acts 5:3-5).

Living in an antichrist world ( 2 John 1:7-11)

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. John 17:16-18 NKJV

Scriptures let us know that anything that has a prefix ‘anti’ on it, means that it is opposite to or against it. So when, we acknowledge that we are living in an antichrist world, we acknowledge that everything pertaining to Christ, his sinless life as the Son of God, his death and resurrection, his character and message are all under attack by an antichrist spirit, image, nature and way of living.

Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist. No one who denies the Son has the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well. 1 John 2:22 -23

Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ’ is a statement that highlights the accepted lies of Satan that has caused many to resist and reject the eternal knowledge of God and his Son Jesus Christ. Verse 18 of the same chapter, notes that there are many antichrist’s in this world. the lowercase ‘a’ in this description, is not a direct reference to the Anti-Christ the person, but more of a reference to how susceptible mankind can be to the spiritual influence of Satan in this world. All believers should be alert to anti- Christian beliefs, trends and attitudes seeking to express themselves to and through our lives, as we daily engage with others in this world.

We must not succumb to the ever evolving modern ideologies that seek to destroy the truth of God in creation. We should not befriend the world.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4 KJV

So how do you live in the world and not be a product of it? (John 17:16)

Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:49 ESV

God wants to help you retain the image he has given you in Christ Jesus. His love for you is so strong that he has given you scriptural instructions to help you live in this world and not conform to the image of it.

God instructs you to:
- [ ] Abide in the doctrine of Christ, so that we can be alive to both the Father and the Son ( 2 John 1: 9)
- [ ] Be aware of deceivers who walk with an antichrist spirit, for they will try to cause you to loose the things that you have worked for ( 2 John 1: 7-8)
- [ ] Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. ( Romans 12:2) Your God given image in Christ can be delivered from worldly intrusion and contamination , by the renewing power of the word of God
- [ ] Have faith: 1 John 5:4 states that we can overcome the world by our faith because the spirit of Christ dwells in us. We have victory in Christ.
- [ ] Follow Jesus by crucifying your sinful nature and its patterns. (Galatians 5:24)
- [ ] Pray: Always seek guidance from God In prayer. (Psalm 25:4-5)
- [ ] Know the community of Christ. Surround yourself with believers in Christ. (Philippians 3:17)
- [ ] Set your focus on things above, not things in this world. (Colossians 3:2)
- [ ] Examine your hearts: invite the Holy Spirit to test your hearts.

Now that you are aware of the deceptive plan of Satan. Ask yourself this question: Are you ready to obey the instructions of the Lord, so that you can live in the world and not be a product of it?