Choosing Divine Influence in a Digital Age
Summary
In today's gathering, we took a moment to honor Bruce and Lisa, who have been integral members of our community since 1998. Bruce, an elder since 2012, has been a pivotal figure in leading intergenerational groups and handling complex issues within our church. As they transition to North Carolina, we prayed for their smooth journey and continued blessings in their new chapter.
We then delved into the ongoing series about the influences in our lives. We are beings created in God's image, constantly under the influence of either God or Satan. God seeks to guide us towards our highest good, while Satan aims to lead us astray. Historically, our primary influencers were those we interacted with directly, but now, with the advent of technology, we are bombarded by influences from strangers through screens, which can negatively impact our spiritual and mental well-being.
I encouraged everyone to reclaim at least one hour from our average seven hours of screen time to devote to God and spiritual growth. We explored the analogy of tuning a car radio, emphasizing the importance of recognizing divine influence as clearly as we recognize our favorite radio stations. Jesus' words in Matthew 7 remind us that the path to life is narrow and hard, requiring us to trust and follow God's will, even when it contradicts our desires.
We discussed the five P's—pleasure, possessions, popularity, prestige, and power—as pursuits that can lead us away from God. Instead, we should focus on discerning divine influence through biblical revelation. God's influence emphasizes Christ's importance, eternal concerns, kingdom prosperity, and purification from sin. We must be wary of non-biblical revelations and false prophets, especially in these prophetic times, as they can lead us astray with counterfeit signs and wonders.
In conclusion, I urged everyone to immerse themselves in God's Word, to discern divine influence, and to be aware of the increasing supernatural activities that may not be from God. By doing so, we can stay on the narrow path that leads to eternal life.
Key Takeaways:
- Divine Influence vs. Worldly Influence: We are constantly influenced by either God or Satan. God desires our highest good, while Satan seeks to lead us astray. Recognizing and choosing divine influence requires intentionality and discernment. [43:14]
- The Impact of Technology: Our modern age exposes us to influences from strangers through screens, which can negatively affect our spiritual and mental health. Reclaiming time for God is crucial for spiritual growth. [53:50]
- The Narrow Path to Life: Jesus teaches that the path to life is narrow and hard, requiring us to trust and follow God's will, even when it contradicts our desires. This path leads to true happiness and fulfillment. [01:02:02]
- Discerning Divine Influence: God's influence emphasizes Christ's importance, eternal concerns, kingdom prosperity, and purification from sin. We must rely on biblical revelation to discern true divine influence. [01:07:29]
- Beware of False Prophets: In these prophetic times, we must be cautious of false prophets and supernatural activities that may not be from God. Immersing ourselves in God's Word helps us discern truth from deception. [01:29:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Farewell to Bruce and Lisa
- [03:00] - Introduction to Influences
- [05:45] - Historical Influences vs. Modern Influences
- [10:15] - The Impact of Technology
- [15:00] - Reclaiming Time for God
- [20:30] - The Narrow Path to Life
- [25:00] - The Five P's of Worldly Pursuits
- [30:45] - Discerning Divine Influence
- [35:00] - The Importance of Biblical Revelation
- [40:30] - Recognizing Non-Biblical Revelations
- [45:00] - The Role of False Prophets
- [50:15] - Prophetic Times and Supernatural Activities
- [55:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action
- [01:00:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 7:13-14 - "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
2. 2 Corinthians 4:18 - "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the two types of influences mentioned in the sermon that affect our lives, and how do they differ in their intentions? [43:14]
2. How has technology changed the way we are influenced compared to historical times, according to the sermon? [53:50]
3. What analogy did the pastor use to describe recognizing divine influence, and how does it relate to everyday experiences? [01:02:02]
4. What are the "Five P's" mentioned in the sermon, and how do they potentially lead us away from God? [53:50]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of the "narrow path" in Matthew 7:13-14 challenge common societal beliefs about following the majority? [01:02:02]
2. In what ways does 2 Corinthians 4:18 encourage believers to shift their focus from temporary to eternal concerns, and why is this important for spiritual growth? [01:07:29]
3. How does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 emphasize the importance of Scripture in discerning divine influence, and what role does it play in a believer's life? [01:07:29]
4. How can the pursuit of the "Five P's" be seen as a form of worldly influence, and what are the potential consequences of prioritizing these over divine influence? [53:50]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily screen time. How can you intentionally reclaim at least one hour for spiritual growth and connection with God this week? [53:50]
2. Consider the influences in your life. Are there specific areas where you feel more influenced by worldly desires than by God's will? How can you address this imbalance? [43:14]
3. The sermon mentioned the importance of recognizing divine influence as clearly as tuning into a favorite radio station. What practical steps can you take to become more attuned to God's voice in your life? [01:02:02]
4. How can you actively focus on eternal concerns over temporary ones in your daily decisions and priorities? What changes might this require in your current lifestyle? [01:07:29]
5. Identify one of the "Five P's" that you find most tempting. What specific actions can you take to resist this temptation and align more closely with God's influence? [53:50]
6. How can you immerse yourself more deeply in God's Word to better discern truth from deception, especially in a world filled with false prophets and misleading influences? [01:29:09]
7. Reflect on a recent decision or situation where you felt conflicted between following God's will and your own desires. How did you resolve it, and what did you learn from the experience? [01:02:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Choosing Divine Influence Over Worldly Influence
In our daily lives, we are constantly influenced by either God or Satan. God desires our highest good, guiding us towards a life of fulfillment and purpose. In contrast, Satan seeks to lead us astray, tempting us with distractions and false promises. Recognizing and choosing divine influence requires intentionality and discernment. It involves a conscious decision to align our thoughts and actions with God's will, even when it contradicts our desires. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and wisdom, which leads us to true happiness and fulfillment. [43:14]
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel torn between divine and worldly influences? How can you intentionally choose God's influence today?
Day 2: Reclaiming Time from Technology for Spiritual Growth
In our modern age, technology exposes us to a myriad of influences from strangers through screens, which can negatively affect our spiritual and mental health. The average person spends about seven hours a day on screens, often at the expense of spiritual growth. Reclaiming even one hour from this time to devote to God can have a profound impact on our spiritual journey. By intentionally setting aside time for prayer, meditation, and reflection, we create space for God to speak into our lives and guide us towards His purpose. [53:50]
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to reduce your screen time and dedicate that time to spiritual practices?
Day 3: Walking the Narrow Path to Life
Jesus teaches that the path to life is narrow and hard, requiring us to trust and follow God's will, even when it contradicts our desires. This path is not always easy, but it leads to true happiness and fulfillment. It involves making choices that align with God's values, even when they are unpopular or challenging. By walking the narrow path, we demonstrate our faith and commitment to God's plan for our lives, trusting that He knows what is best for us. [01:02:02]
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you are facing where you need to choose the narrow path? How can you trust God in this decision today?
Day 4: Discerning True Divine Influence
God's influence emphasizes Christ's importance, eternal concerns, kingdom prosperity, and purification from sin. To discern true divine influence, we must rely on biblical revelation and be wary of non-biblical revelations and false prophets. In these prophetic times, it is crucial to immerse ourselves in God's Word, allowing it to guide our thoughts and actions. By doing so, we can discern truth from deception and stay on the path that leads to eternal life. [01:07:29]
"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." (1 John 4:1, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of God's Word to better discern His influence in your life?
Day 5: Guarding Against False Prophets and Deceptive Influences
In these prophetic times, we must be cautious of false prophets and supernatural activities that may not be from God. These deceptive influences can lead us astray with counterfeit signs and wonders. By immersing ourselves in God's Word and seeking His guidance, we can discern truth from deception and remain steadfast in our faith. It is essential to stay vigilant and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us in recognizing and rejecting false teachings. [01:29:09]
"For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand." (Mark 13:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to protect yourself from deceptive influences and ensure you are following true divine guidance?
Quotes
We started off by kind of showing that right from the start of our life, I could just go to the next slide, we have significant influences in our life. Now, one of the things I've said in previous messages is knowingly or unknowingly, and it's not to be morbid or anything, we're always under the influence either of God or Satan. They are not equals, but they are both trying to influence us. God is trying to influence us for our good. He loves us. He knows what's best for us. He wants what's best for us. He knows what will bring our highest happiness and well-being. He wants that. Satan, on the other hand, who is opposed to God and all good, is just the opposite. And he does, though, try to assert influence over our lives. [00:45:32] (39 seconds)
What my goal is today with this message, and this is a little bit ambitious, it's at least to, if not move you very far in the direction of being so familiar with divine influence, the influence of God in your life, that you will know it as well as you know your stations. And also you will recognize what is not divine influence, just like you reject those stations that you come across very quickly, instantaneously in many cases. I'm hoping we can at least move incrementally where you can do that better, where you will be able to live more under the divine influence because God loves us. He knows what's best, like I said earlier, and wants what's best. He just needs to get our attention. He needs us to understand the means that he communicates or intends to communicate with us, and he needs us to be willing to trust him. That's the ultimate issue. [00:50:30] (54 seconds)
So I want to make it a little more pertinent to you why it is so critical that you and I, at least grow in our ability to stay under, willfully under the divine influence in our life. Jesus introduced something in the closing of his message, the Sermon on the Mount. It's in Matthew 7. Here's his words. He said, Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is, what? Easy. That leads to, what? Destruction. And those who enter are many. Pause for a minute. We tend to think that as long as you blend in with the crowd, as long as you follow the majority, you're safe. But that is not the truth. That's not reality. It's never been reality historically. And the Lord is here warning if we follow the pack, if we just blend in, if we just go along, you know, to get along, we're going to be misled. So he says this way that's so wide, it's easy, but it leads to destruction, and many, the majority, are on that path. For the gate is narrow, and the way is, what is the word? Hard. That leads to life, and those who find it are few. [00:51:24] (71 seconds)
Now, this is not the Lord being mean. This is not the Lord trying to, you know, make us feel insecure or uncomfortable. This is the Lord appealing to us and saying, listen, this way that leads to life, it's open, and he wants all of us to come toward that path. But we have to understand reality, it's hard. Now, the reason it's hard is this. The way that leads to life is I have to learn God's will through God's word and be willing to trust him sufficiently to submit my life and let his word and his will start to shape me, create my value systems, create my decision-making processes, mold and shape my conduct, my character. I have to do things sometimes that are contrary to my desires. The easy way is I just live by my desires. I just do whatever the heck I feel like. I do what I want, when I want, how I want. [00:52:44] (56 seconds)
We have this underlying philosophy. It's usually not well thought out, but we then grab on to various things that seem to provide some enjoyment or the maximum enjoyment for life. And so we gravitate to what I call the five P's. These are satanically influenced pursuits. Satan doesn't come out and just, you know, make it easy for us to understand the things that debilitate and destroy us and keep us from God. So people start out, they just say, okay, all things considered, I'm going to get all the pleasure I can in our life. I'm going to try everything. I'm going to do everything. I mean, what else is life about but pleasure? I'm going to get as much pleasure, avoid as much pain. Others say, I want possessions, man. I want to buy stuff. I feel good when I buy a bunch of stuff. I want bigger, better, newer, nicer. So we build our life around materialism. Others, it's popularity. I feel good when people like me. I want lots and lots of likes. I want to be popular. I want to please everybody. I want everybody to think well of me. [00:55:05] (54 seconds)
We end up, what Jesus called, gaining the whole world, whatever we want out of this, but losing our own souls. So we end up on that wide path that leads to destruction because we're just kind of making up as we go. We're just, we don't know who we are. We don't know why we're here. We don't know where we came from or where we're going. Because apart from God's revelation and his word, we can't know any of those things. We just guess and we look at the pack and we just kind of blend in and make it up as we go. All right. So what we want to do now is this. We want to focus our attention on discerning divine influence. In other words, how do I know when God is influencing me? How does he do it? How can I be absolutely sure that my life, if I choose to do so, is being lived under divine influence? [00:56:29] (44 seconds)
Discerning divine influence calls for absolute reliance on, what is the word? Two words? Biblical revelation. God has chosen, beginning with the start of the nation of Israel, when he brought them out of the Egyptian bondage, he made a choice that he would now reveal the truth about himself and the truth about life. He would give it in a written form to mankind. He was given to the nation of Israel. They were to take it, pass it on, preserve it, pass it down. And then he gave his full revelation of himself when the creator himself came to this planet in the person of Jesus Christ. [00:57:27] (37 seconds)
Five days before, he says, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words, what does it say? They will not. Do you see what an, I mean, picture a peasant living in the middle of nowhere, this little, you know, forsaken place in the Roman empire in Jerusalem, and he never wrote a book. He never went more than a hundred miles from his home, and he has the audacity to make this claim. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Here we are 2,000 years later, and his words are all over this planet. There's more copies of the Bible today than ever in human history, more people building their life on those words. So Jesus' prophetic words about his word enduring holds true. So the word of God is where we have to start and where we have to put down roots if we want to remain under the divine influence in our life. [00:58:20] (55 seconds)
Four key points in discerning divine influence. Number one, Christ's importance over people, okay? When God is influencing us, it's always going to emphasize the supreme importance of Christ and the supreme importance of your relationship, my relationship with Christ over every other relationship in our life. Listen to Jesus' words in Luke 14, 26. Those who come to me cannot be my disciples. That word disciple, it means my followers. It's the word for Christian. It's saying you can't be a Christian. You can't be my follower. You can't be my disciple unless, and here's the qualifier, unless they love me more than they love. And here's where it gets sticky. Father, my mother. [01:01:21] (45 seconds)
When we are under divine influence, it's always going to emphasize the supreme importance of your personal, my personal relationship and my affection and allegiance and admiration for Christ above every human being. That I'm going to care more about what Christ thinks of me than I care about anybody else, even myself. I trust him more than I trust myself. That is what it's saying. So when we're under divine influence, it's always going to emphasize the supremacy of Christ and my and your devotion, supreme devotion. And we're talking affection here. They love me more than our love for anyone else. Now here's the thing. If you think these people are going to be cheated if we love Christ more than we love them, you're wrong. Because when we love Christ supremely, we become better fathers and better mothers and better husbands and wives and better children and better brothers and sisters. We become better human beings. We become more Christ-like human beings. And we do better jobs. And we are better relationally. We have capacity to give instead of always wanting to receive in a relationship. So this doesn't cheat anybody. [01:02:42] (66 seconds)
So I've got to keep my eyes on eternity. I've got to live in light of the fact that I am going to live somewhere for eternity and I want to make sure that I'm using my time wisely now. Whenever God's influencing us, he's going to emphasize more in eternity than on what's right in front of our nose. We tend to focus on what's right in front of our nose. Third principle. Kingdom prosperity over personal prosperity. Meaning that I'm going to be more concerned about the furtherance of the kingdom of God that I'm going to be more, or than I am concerned about my own furtherance or the conditions that I might consider to be comfortable. Once again, the Apostle Paul, he's writing to followers of Christ in the city of Philippi. He says, he's talking about himself. He says, now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to the advance of the gospel. The gospel is just the message about Christ and his kingdom. He's saying, whatever happened to him, you're going to see what happened in a minute, it's helped to advance the gospel. And he's happy with this. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in, what is he in? You tell me, chains for Christ. [01:05:47] (75 seconds)
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