“Have It Your Way.” “Your World – Delivered.” We’ve gone from hamburgers to the whole world… just the way we want it. This is what the commercials tell us anyway. Of course there’s nothing wrong with ordering a hamburger with a pickle and no onions, and there’s nothing wrong with a cell phone, but I sometimes wonder if the enemy uses various ‘propaganda machines’ to his advantage as warring nations often do. Propaganda’s intent is to throw the opponent off track with a mix of truth and lies.
Recently, Lady Volunteer Coach Pat Summit at the University of Tennessee, was interviewed after her record-setting thousandth win. “What is the biggest change you’ve seen in players over your career?” Of all the things a basketball coach might say, she answered something like this: “Today our kids are in their own worlds. When we’re on the road, I don’t see the card playing and interaction I used to see because every player is listening to her own i-pod or working on her own computer or texting someone on her own phone.” Coach Summit was not issuing a criticism (her teams are still quite good); she was simply stating what she has observed.
Our culture may be different from other cultures in history, but Satan’s strategies are the same. If he makes ‘me’ the center of thinking, he claims victory. “You are most important.” “Please yourself first.” “Look out for number one.” “Do as thou wilt” was the promoted philosophy of nineteenth century Satanist, Aleister Crowley, who was admired by many of the ‘rock and roll heroes’ of my generation. The Christian must recognize this anthem of the world opposes the message of the Cross.
Jesus’ teaching goes the opposite direction: “Take no thought for your life.” “Seek God’s Kingdom first.” “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” The Master asks the most logical question: “How do you profit if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul?” The Holy Spirit helps us see properly as we humbly seek righteousness. “Your Father in Heaven knows what you need before you even ask, so don’t worry like those around you.” “Instead of being consumed with your own interests, look out for the interests of others.” “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” “Love one another deeply from the heart.”
No one needs to tell us this world is unstable. The hamburger I order may not always taste good. My new phone can’t solve my problems. The network of hundreds of people that follow me around don’t have the answers. But God will not fail those who trust him. The only message that brings hope is the word of truth that points to the One who has the whole world in his hands. “Turn from anything that is wrong.” “Look to the One who died for you!” “Put your full faith in Jesus!” “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves…” II Timothy 3:1-2