What we think about matters to God

Are we ashamed of God? Is God ashamed of us? Do we not realize that God knows our thoughts? Yes, the spiritual atmosphere within society has changed in the last 75 years, and one of the reasons is the older generations who stood fervently for God have passed on, and many of the younger ones do not have the same passion for Christ. Do we care about developing an awareness of His presence? Look at the technology that has evolved in this period of time, and it's easy to see the minds and hearts of the masses have allowed themselves to be tempted to adopt a different way of thinking and believing. A tsunami of knowledge has been released upon the world, and with more information, we have more distractions. There was a time when families would gather in the evenings and read and discuss the Bible and pray together. What happened?

Television in its early days was closely monitored and not allowed to be consumed night and day. This is when kids played outside, parents read the newspapers, neighbors were friendly, and family and people enjoyed each other's company. Compare this to today's world, where many choose isolation, where they are mesmerized by some type of electronic device. Are we trading our individual thoughts, creativity, and personalities for the sake of artificial intelligence? Instead of developing spiritual discernment and quietly listening to learn what God wants us to do, we are deliberately being controlled by "Pied piper" devices luring us into mental captivation. We have the choice to decide how we use our time, which also includes a responsibility to reject being willingly governed by any spiritual force other than God.

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." Shouldn't we be guarding our minds from evil persuasions, and how high on our priority list is knowing God and standing with him? Maybe some people use distractions as a way of hiding from Him. Have you noticed that many people dislike silence and prefer to have something playing in the background? We don't always need to have the television on or the car radio on. The silence is a secret place because it helps us to hear God's voice. If we constantly need background noise, something is wrong. Are we afraid to be alone with God? Do some feel convicted or guilty because they are not walking with Him in obedience and holiness? Life is filled with distractions we cannot help, but we surely do not need to intentionally make it worse. We notice in Luke 5:15-16 that the more Jesus gave of Himself, the more time He spent praying in secret for clarity to maintain His relationship with the Father.

Be encouraged today, for since Christ accomplished His mission on the cross and rose from the dead, those who are partakers with Him are preserved by the greatest power and authority in heaven and earth. He is the creator of all things, the Alpha and Omega. Let us not place our confidence in this earthly realm; instead, let us actively and intentionally trust the one who knows, created, and controls everything. Humans strive to build the perfect life, but only Christ embodies true perfection. His desire is for us not to worship the material, but to set our hearts on the spiritual realm. The message for this hour is urgent: a dark enemy seeks to deceive, kill, steal, and destroy. But you are not powerless. Resist this attack by saying no to fleshly desires. Draw the line today--determine in your heart that you will not give your heart to the world. Choose to be a living sacrifice: holy and acceptable. Take this stand now and commit fully to God.

What we consume through our eyes and ears acts as "food" for our souls, ultimately shaping our thoughts. I John 2:15 declares, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them." A few chapters over, God says, "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world has become an enemy of God."

Dr. Holland is an ordained minister, chaplain, teacher, and author. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.