It'd be so easy to get caught up in it, to let our guard down and let 'em have it! We could parlay our own talents and intellect into a formidable weapon and strike back like they so desperately deserve ... but we know things.
We know that hate makes room for division, pride belongs to fools destined to fall, unrighteous anger makes a pathway for evil, lies used to promote anything are themselves an injustice, profane speech exemplifies a true lack of wisdom and the quest for justice by unjust methods are themselves a paradox of utter unjust foolishness ... yet these things are all in the air around us. They're employed heavily in the air around us while the prince of the power of the air takes full advantage of both what and who's available to him.
"... in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others." Ephesians 2:2-3 (NKG)
Foul traits are conveyed on the wind of available media around us by professional agent provocateurs, individuals seeking personal fame and recognition ... but none of those traits belong to Christ. Consequently, they don't belong as traits of those "following" Him either. They no-doubt create a repelling stench wafting up to the God to whom we must one day give an account.
Jesus talking to Father God about US, His "followers":
"I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth." John 17:14-19 (NLT)
We owe Him at the least a debt of obedience among other things, so what do we do in such an atmosphere of provocative wickedness? We don't do as the world does because we don't belong to it. We don't engage the world on the world's terms because we belong to and have access to a higher and everlasting power that's already conquered the mess that rages around us. Engaging the world as the world engages only allows for us to become a part of it's failed struggle against the One who created it ... and that's not who we followers of Christ are. Remember, Jesus didn't fight the battle of all-time on the world's terms, but defeated the enemy forever and for us. We need not hand victory back by becoming like the world in order to win - our victory's already been established - we've won. Our place and destiny are above the world's reach and in the hands of The Victor.
"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 5:1-5 (NKG)
So then, again, what do we do? We hold our faith and trust in Jesus to lead us forward and follow Him closely placing one foot firmly in front of the other in peaceable assurance knowing what and who are ahead, waiting at our destination. We keep diligently our study of Christ to learn His character and ways and submit to His work in us. We avoid breathing in the filth around us and instead continue to breathe in the breath of life, which is everything that comes from the God who created us, with focused intention.
Keep calm, your trust is secure and well invested in the One who never fails. And if by chance you breathed in a little of that bad air, don't worry - Jesus is standing by waiting to clean you up and set you back on the path. You know how He loves you.
"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." Genesis 2:7 (NKG) ... and if you let Him - as you submit to it ,.. He's doing it again.
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