Morning Moments

Jeremiah 51:6 Flee from Babylon! Save yourselves!
Don’t get trapped in her punishment!
It is the Lord’s time for vengeance;
he will repay her in full.

What a powerful verse!  It is not only an historically accurate account of God's admonition to the Chosen nation, Israel, but it is certainly consistent and applicable to us as we consider God's admonition through John:  "Love not the world neither the things that are in the world, for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are not of the Father, but are of the world.  The world passes away and the lust thereof, but he who does the will of God abides forever."

The "world" here is the "world system" managed and manipulated by the "god of this world", our adversary, the devil, who "walketh about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour".  It is why we are told to "resist the devils, and he will flee from you and to draw near to God and He will draw near to you".

As Christians, we are "in the world, but not of it," and must "abstain from the very appearance of evil".  We must be careful NOT to put ourselves in compromising situations, and not give ourselves over to the "cravings" of this world system.  The temptations to be "conformed to this world" are sometimes sudden, usually surprising, and always subtle.  We saw a perfect example of the world system at work yesterday when thousands of people, baited by the "Black Friday" tricks of this world, rushed to a madhouse store with a maddening crowd. To purchase something that could have been purchased earlier or later for less money.  It is a prime example of how many have come to live..

I'm just saying that the merchants bait us with "deals" that we can't pass up and often can't afford, just for the sake of their profit.  Now I understand that may be "good business," but I saying that  the enemy of our soul does the very same thing.  For example:  I have a perfectly good 5 year old 32" TV in my bedroom.  I thought, "It would be nice to have a 55" wall mount.  Do I need it?  NO!  Can I afford it?  Not if I have more important and pressing financial needs to which I must attend.  So I said NO to the temptation.  God ALWAYS gives us the GRACE to say NO to any and all temptations, if only we will receive the grace and exercise our faith.

It is so easy to "get trapped" by Satan and this world's system.  Hence, whether it is the matter of pride, new things, or new relationships (ego, lust of flesh or eyes), we must FLEE from Babylon and not get trapped.  God has called us to a different standard!