Competing voices

More and more these days, we’re getting information, news, and advice thrown at us from all directions. The ever-expanding reach and capabilities of technology have meant that we have easy access to the views of more people than ever before. But when the “logic” of this world shows itself to be at odds with the word of God, whose voice will we listen to?

What the world says		What the Bible says
I worked hard for everything that I have. I have a right to be proud of my own talents, abilities, and achievements.		Deuteronomy 8: 17-18 – “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth”. .
We have to move with the times. We can’t apply the moral yardsticks of the past to what we see today because people and society are just different now.		Isaiah 5:20, 24 – “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. …   [A]s tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty”. .
As long as we are a “good person” and live a generally good life, trying to help others, not causing intentional harm to anyone, we will go to heaven.		John 3:16, 18 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. … Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.     John 14:6 – “[Jesus said] ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’”. .
It’s fine for some people to be Christians and to want to share their faith with others, but there’s a time and a place for doing that. There are some situations where it’s just inappropriate for Christians to talk about their faith.		2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV) – “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”     2 Timothy 4:2 (Bible in Basic English) – “Be preaching the word at all times, in every place.”      2 Timothy 4:2 (Weymouth New Testament) – “Proclaim God’s message, be zealous in season and out of season”. .
Freedom means being able to do what we want, when we want to.		2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”     John 8:31-32 - “Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”  .
We have to look out for ourselves (or “look out for number 1″ as the popular expression goes), take care of our own interests first and foremost, because if we don’t, no one else is going to.		Isaiah 46:4 – “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”     Matthew 6:25-33 – “[Jesus said] Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” .

I know how strong the impulse can be to play by the rules of the world we are living in. The ways of the world seem so logical, even natural. The ways of God often seem to be rather counter-intuitive — Live in obedience to God’s will in order to be truly free (James 1:25). Do not be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6). Leave justice in God’s hands even when we are wronged (Romans 12:19). Do not store up treasures for ourselves on earth, but store up treasures for ourselves in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).

God’s way is impossible if we want to hang on to control of our own lives, if we trust in ourselves and look to our own abilities to ensure a safe, comfortable, and secure future for ourselves. But if we are willing to see that our lives are held in God’s Almighty hand, and that He is more than capable of making sure that His plans for our lives come to pass, then it becomes easier (though not easy!!) to choose God’s way.  

In this world of competing voices, whose voice will we listen to?

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