In a few days, America will once again celebrate Independence Day, the Fourth of July. It will likely be a fun day of flipping burgers, family parties, and fireworks. However, it’s hard to ignore that the country feels more divided than ever. We see people pointing fingers and sending up accusations at who caused what, and, unfortunately some of the loudest voices in the blame game claim to be Christians.
It is hard to validate that you cling to the cross of Christ when your words and actions seem to demonstrate the opposite. Jesus told us, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Do the words of people draw you away from the love Jesus called you to show? Does your preferred news source make you act more or less like Jesus? Do the politicians you follow make you sound more or less like Jesus?
It is easier than ever to fill our minds with the thoughts of other people. There are whole industries built around keeping you distracted from your God given calling. We must fight every single day to cling to lessons we have been taught by God.
1 John 4:1-2,4 reminds us,
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God…4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Test the words you hear to see if they are from God. Don’t let yourself be drawn into the hate and division that makes up our modern society. If you are from God, you can overcome the false prophets.
Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world!