WEEK 38 – DAY 4

EARTHLY MINDED

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. Philippians 3:18-19

There is something about listening to a recording of the Bible that makes different verses stand out more than reading it. When we hear the words “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame, (NIV)” they sound like an accurate description of many Americans. Look closely at billboards, pop-up ads, and commercials. They are about food, drink, and luxury items. And it seems all of them are marketed using sex as a backdrop. Things that would not have been whispered about in our mothers’ day are emblazoned on signs and blurted out loud. When I (Susie) was teaching middle school, I felt I could not use the local newspaper in my classroom because the day of the week they would have provided it free was the day of the full-page women’s undergarments ad on page 2 of the main news section! Society truly glories in what was once considered shameful. Paul pointed this out with tears in his eyes. He was not condemning those who live as enemies of the cross but was weeping over their lost condition. He was also warning the Philippians about slipping into worldly ways.  Sometimes we are like children excusing our behavior by saying that everyone else does it. An excellent quote on this subject is attributed to William Penn: “Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.” Due to the Holy Spirit within us, we have the power to choose to do right.  We should not be ruled by the desires of our sinful nature, nor should we delight in things we know are against God’s commands. We should weep for those who do live in the way Paul was describing and pray for God to change them from the inside out.

Father, help our lives to be evidence of Your transforming power. Lord, use us to witness to those who need You, to lead them away from an end of destruction.