FIGHTING THE WORLD

         Fighting

         The

         World

Fighting against the interests that this world offers so that we might focus on the things that God offers.

1. TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CHOICE OF WHAT WE WANT.
   A. WE CAN CHOSE TO MAKE DECISIONS WITH DEFICIENT MINDS AND INFORMATION
             WHAT HAS SIN AFFFECTED ? DID YOU KNOW THAT IT NOT ONLY AFFECTED
             YOUR BODY, SO THAT IT WILL ONE DAY DIE, BUT ALSO YOUR MIND AND ABILITY TO
             THINK RIGHT. OR, WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPTION OF SEEKING GOD.

"What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose."

Psalm 25:12

             ***MANY DON'T THINK THEY CAN HEAR FROM GOD. WRONG !

   B. WE CAN TURN THE CHOICES OVER TO SOMEONE WITH INFINITE INTELLIGENCE,
        AND WHO LOVES US MORE THAN ANYONE.

"Only thy holy things which thou hast, and thy vows, thou shalt take, and go unto the place which the LORD shall choose:"

Deuteronomy 12:26

             —NOTE WHAT THE TEACHING OF GOD'S WORD IS - GOD IS THE ONE
                  WHO SAYS WHERE YOU SHOULD HAVE WORSHIP AND SACRIFICE. IT
                  ISN'T JUST ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO.

   C. THE CONSEQUENCES OF CHOSING THIS WORLD ARE SERIOUS AND
        ETERNAL. . . NOT JUST FOR NOW.

"I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not."

Isaiah 66:4
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

1 John 2:15

2. WHAT THIS WORLD OFFERS TO PEOPLE.
   A. DECEPTION. YOU CAN'T FOLLOW THE WORLD'S CONCEPTS AND BE
        RIGHT WITH GOD.

" And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful."

Mark 4:19

   B. PEACE — BUT AN INFERIOR KIND.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

John 14:27

   C. REJECT THE APPEAL TO CONFORM.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Romans 12:1

   D. WISDOM.

" For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."

1 Corinthians 3:19

             WHO IS TRYING TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE ? THE "WISE."
                  **Doctors in the UK want a law that all knives must be made
                  blunt — instead of having sharp points. Teachers were asked at a
                  parent-teacher meeting if sharpened pencils were considered
                  weapons. The Principal said that they could be, and they have been
                  looking at alternatives.
                       WHAT ALTERNATIVES ? Writing with big crayons now ?

3. WHAT GOD OFFERS TO US.
   A. HE CHOSES FOR US WHAT WE ARE BEST SUITED AND EQUIPPED TO DO.

" And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe."

Acts 15:7

   B. SALVATION

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