God's Voice or the World's Voice

We live in the world, but we are not to be conformed to the world or another way to say it "to be squeezed" into the world's mold!

All through John chapters 14-17, Jesus prays for us to be in the world but not tainted or persuaded by world systems and ideas. Here are a few differences.

• The world says take inventory of your strengths.
• God's voice says when you are weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

• The world says get all you can.
• God's voice says give to everyone who asks. (Matthew 6:30)

• The world says claim your rights.
• God's voice says give up your rights. (Philippians 2:5-11)

• The world says avoid pain at all cost.
• God's voice say take up your cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

• The world says only the strong survive.
• God's voice says only those who depend on Me will thrive. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

• The world makes decisions based on common sense.
• God's voice tells us to make decisions based on His Word. (Psalm 119:105)

• The world says this is as good as it gets.
• God's voice gives us the promise of heaven. (John 3:16)

• The world says seek happiness in your circumstances.
• God's voice says seek joy despite your circumstances. (James 1:2-4)

• The world says divorce if marriage gets difficult.
• God says what He has joined, no man should separate. (Mark 10:9)

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).

The only way to distinguish between the world's voice and God's voice is by developing a personal on-going intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and knowing the truth found in God's Word.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit who reveals all truth. Help us to be so in-tune with You that we can tell if we are listening to the world or to the truth of Your Word. Help us to recognize the lies, reject the lies, and replace the lies with truth.In Jesus' Name,Amen