There is so much negativity in the world. On every continent of the world you will find some degree of disorder or distaste. No where is perfect and while man walks the earth, certainly on one is perfect. We live in a broken world.
This morning as I read the book of James, I was struck by a well known verse, but it was just the last 8 words of chapter 1.
…..keep oneself from being polluted by the world
I wouldn’t be writing on it, if I had not turned on the TV a short while later. There was some programme on which was so anti-truth, that I actually remembered those last 8 words. This is how we get polluted by the world.
It’s hard to miss.
Turn the TV on – it’s there.
Open the newspaper – it’s there.
Log onto Facebook – it’s there in chunks.
Online is riddled with it – news sites are full of it.
Work, university, schools – are dripping with it…. mental/spiritual pollution.
From Gifsgallery.com
Where do we go for the truth?
The only place I know for the truth is the Bible.
While I will never live a perfect life, in the Bible I find direction for living a good wise life.
In the shorter books of the New Testament, Paul writes lots of short paragraphs about how to live well…
2 Timothy 2:14-16
” Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”
It’s so easy to head in a wrong direction and get more and more accustomed to it, until at last one is sucked in and it’s like being at the bottom of a deep vacuum where you can’t get out.
vs 22
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
I think if I stopped to ask myself if what I was about to embark on filled the pursuit of righteousness, faith, love and peace, whatever lay ahead would not result in being polluted by the world.
Within the pages of the Bible lie words of truth. They will counteract the enormous pollution the world throws at us. But, in order to enjoy the impact of them, we need to read them for ourselves.
I believe I have no greater tool, here on earth, than the Word of God given to all of us as Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. It gives me direction as to how to live. It stirs my soul and directs me time and time again to the truth. It encourages me to do better, to strive for a meaningful existence, it keeps me humble, it gives me focus.
Knowing it is the best way of preventing myself being polluted by the world. Through it, I recognise the pollution a mile away and draw back.
I end with another Bible verse written by Paul and it’s my prayer –
2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
Keep the smile going!
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂