Valuing God
How much do we value God? Every day we are confronted with an array of attitudes, ideas and values that are the process of the thinking of the prince of the power of the air. Or, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “… whose minds the god of this age has blinded …” (2 Corinthians 4:4). These blinded minds are leading this world toward Satan’s desired elimination of God’s plan of salvation.
This negativity is blatant in everyday life. And the frustrating thing is, as much as we would like to, we can’t stop it. We know that Satan will not be able to stop God’s plan from unfolding. This undoubtedly drives him more in his hatred toward God and His plan for an eternal family.
All this means that we need to double down to protect our minds from this influence. We can’t isolate our minds in this environment, so that means we must work on the quality of our thoughts to protect ourselves from Satan’s influence.
To this end, we are encouraged to trust God and not to lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). If we do that, God says He will direct our paths. Not leaning on our own understanding is easier said than done. It is certainly a matter of the mind. With God’s Holy Spirit we have the ability to direct our thinking in a particular direction. Or we inadvertently choose not to, if we don’t use the ability.
The Apostle Paul warned the Church in Colosse of the environment surrounding them – which was similar to our environment today. They had to watch out for those pushing philosophy, empty deceit according to the tradition of men and basic ungodly principles of the world. Sound familiar? What was his advice? Include God in every aspect of your daily life. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).
We need to look to God in all things we are involved in during each day. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11). Or, as expressed by Paul, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).
We need to see the value of God’s involvement in all things we experience each day. This will help override all the negatives of a world spiraling out of human control. It will never be out of God’s control.
Brian Orchard
