Today’s Truth
“But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).
Friend To Friend
My brother was about four years old when he decided to grab a box of matches and a handful of sparklers to see how they worked. He had heard that sparklers worked best in the dark, so he went into the darkest place at Grandma’s house he could find … her wardrobe closet.
Grandma didn’t have any closets in her house, so she kept all of her hang up clothes in the large wooden stand alone closet. My brother snuck into the darkness, crouched amongst the dresses and coats, and lit the first match. The sparklers immediately began shooting fiery pops in all directions. Within moments, Stewart noticed more than just the sparklers were on fire. Grandma’s clothes were up in flames.
I’m happy to say that Stewart wasn’t harmed, unless you count the spanking he got from Grandma on his behind.
Friends, we don’t have to go into a closet to find the darkness. It is waiting for us the moment we step out the front door, turn on the television, or listen to the 6:00 o’clock news. The world is full of darkness at every turn.
What exactly is the world? In the Bible, there are several definitions. One definition refers to all the people on the earth: “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son (John 3:16). In some instances, the word “world” refers to planet earth itself.
Other times “world” refers to the world systems, values, and morals. Paul refers to these world systems when he says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,” (Romans 12:2). Jesus said that the “world” hated him and we shouldn’t be surprised if it hates us as well (John 15:18, 19). Both refer to the world systems, values, or ways of thinking.
The Bible also tells us “that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). It seems like we are “splitting hairs” here. But when we consider the power of the enemy and the pull of the world systems, they are almost one in the same. Right now, the world systems are being heavily influenced by the evil one.
But here’s the hope! Jesus said, “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). As long as we live in the world, we will feel its pull, but God assures us that we have what it takes to “overcome the world” (1 John 5:4, 5). We have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us and faith in the Victor who works through us.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, all around me I see the world trying to pull me away from You. Through movies, television shows, magazines and billboards, the world tries to pull me into a self-centered existence concerned with fulfilling my own selfish desires. But praise God! You have given me the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the world! I don’t have to be drawn in and seduced by the temporary trappings of this world. I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus and I can keep my mind focused on things of eternal worth! Thank You, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
What are some ways “the world” tries to pull you away from God?
Are there any areas of your life that you need to change to keep that from happening? Are there any movies or television programs that leave you feeling distant from God? Books that you read that leave you feeling yucky inside? Any activities or relationships that need to come to a halt?
You can do it! If God calls you to it, He will see you through it! But He does require participation on your part.
If you’d like to comment on today’s devotion, visit Sharon’s blog at
Additional Resource
The Bible says our struggle is against the world, the flesh, and the devil. If you would like to learn more about how to live a life of victory and be an over comer in all three areas, then you’ll want to see Sharon’s book, I’m Not Good Enough …and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves.
Comments 9
Sharon,
Thank you for allowing God to use you.
I’ve cut myself off of TV, any news, etc. However, some of my personal relationships are trying. But because God is who HE is I can lean wholly on Him to bring me through it.
Praise the Lord!
That is wonderful! Priase God!
Sometimes I don’t feel like reading these when they come to my email, but all of the ones that I stop to read all apply to the situation that is in my life. It’s amazing how God knows me. He uses you to send all these emails out because He knows that reading that after the day or week I have had is going to help me. I have been feeling distant from God for a long time just reading this email was awesome. I know that can overcome these things that the enemy throws at me. I’m very thankful for all of you girls that write these.:)
Thanks for this word in due season. I have a struggle knowing what are my talents I need to take responsibility for developing and what are things and desires of the world to be overcome.
“…faith in the Victor who works through us.” For the past few months I can truly say that faith has kept my family going and never once have we questioned the circumstances but rather see them as testimoies of what God can do when you do what, trust and obey with steadfast praying. My husband has not worked for over three months and is staying home with our 5 year old son for the summer, had to downsize our apartment, and just today received my rent statement rom with rent due July 1st less than what it should be…AMEN!!!
Your messages are wonderful…I do appreciate them…Using the word GOD in everyday conversation is politically incorrect….how I welcome blogs like this and my online Christian groups where I can speak of God, the Bible,and Jesus without ‘breaking’ the rules….I know there are true Christians out there and it is wonderful to voice my thoughts.I like coming out of the ‘darkness’
Wonderful message. This message “Stinking Thinking” will help me teach my children. My son is beginning not to like himself, and I have been praying how to help my eight year old. The answer is to help him understand right thinking about himself, through God’s word. THANK YOU!
I believe that the Holy Bible is our Owner’s Manual. We can always refer to, for everything that the Father has said concerning our lives. In James chapter 4:7-8 reads: Submit yourselves, therefore unto God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. The only way, we as human, will come nearer to God, is by reading is words daily. I’m very thankful for this daily devotion. May God continue to bless the founders of this site.
It is amazing how the world dictates to us the way things “need” to be and how easy it is to fall into the belief that if we are not following the world’s path, that we aren’t worthy of good things. I am a divorced, single mother of a 12 year old girl. I recently broke off a 6-year relationship with my boyfriend because he was unwilling to commit himself to marriage. We never lived together, but he was a major part of both my daughter’s and my lives. He was a nice man, good to us, and sat by us every week in church. But I didn’t want to settle for something that I know in my heart is not what I want for my life. I don’t want to set an example to my daughter that it is o.k. to settle for less of a commitment. I didn’t want her to think that it’s o.k. for people to live together outside of the marriage bond. Painful as it was, I broke off our relationship last month because I truly believe that it was less than God’s best for me. I have given up many worldly comforts – but God sustains us. He is helping us through this difficult time and showing us mercy and peace. In time our hearts will heal, and I hope that God will reveal to my daughter that she deserves only His best.