I John 5:19 says, “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one”.

One could guess what the word “sway” means, but after researching this word it simply means “influence”. Kind of like the fog in the picture above… subtle, but effective.

According to the bible, the whole world is under the influence or sway of the evil one. It’s hard for me to think that the enemy has that much control and ability, but he has had a lot of time nurturing a world system that can easily appeal to the flesh of mankind. After working at this for some time, I can see how the devil can almost sit back and watch his “sway” in action.

Though… don’t get me wrong here, I know the devil is not sitting back for one second. His sway is operating in and around a system of influence. You can tell when the “sway” hits you. Any time you are influenced to indulge in fleshly conduct the sway is working. Maybe we get caught up in the latest Hollywood gossip we justify as “news”, maybe it’s the influence to rip someone’s head off for driving inappropriately in front of you, or maybe it’s a temptation to outright blow it… to commit the sin – hook line and sinker. Whatever the case the influence to do “wrong” is ever before us and many times we succumb to this “sway”.

What is man to do to overcome the sway? Well let’s read the first part of that verse again. I John 5:19 says, “We know that we are of God….  This verse is making a distinct difference between those that are of God and those under the sway. Those that are “of God” think about the things of God, are influenced by the Word of God more than the world He created, and seek truth not entertainment. If you find yourself struggling to stay away from the sway, maybe your too close to it. You simply need to pull yourself out from under the worlds greatest influences. This is where the “sway” is the heaviest.

So what are the worlds greatest influences. I am sure you can name some very easily, and they will not be very easy to pull away from.

Know this… The level of difficulty you have removing yourself from these influences is a good indication of the level of the sway over your life.

Here are a few of the greatest world influences…

1. TV – no surprise here with millions of viewers everyday being entertained by fictitious lives. Yes even reality t.v. is fictitious to an extent. Most people act different when they know a camera is watching them.
2. Internet – no need to elaborate here
3. Co-Workers
4. Newspapers
5. Movies
6. Family – Yikes!!!!

Ok, well you get the point. Can you remove yourself from these avenues that unload the enemies sway or would it just be too difficult? Maybe the sway has you more than you think.

Look… I am not saying that you should never watch t.v. again. I just want you to be aware that there is a real sway. Television can be a great tool for a different kind of “sway” – a Godly sway. Unfortunately, most of us utilize the tube to download the worlds ideals, concepts, and philosophies of what is right or wrong. We get laughs from programs that are morally corrupt, and allow violent crimes into our living rooms. Our minds deal with more images today then in any other time in history. Technology has elevated our minds with endless knowledge and no sense. Sorry, I will stop my soapbox soon.

Psalms 1:1-3 reminds us,

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

Hollywood knows too well how to “counsel” us, and we know too well how to listen.

We all have a calling and a job to perform for the Kingdom. As Paul told Timothy to not get entangled with the affairs of life so we should guard ourselves from the “sway”.

Sometimes I feel that the Body of Christ is sitting in the camp watching re-runs while the battle of the century lies at the doorstep.

I Timothy 4:12-16 says, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

God has designed a life for us to enjoy – so enjoy it. Enjoy technology, Lord knows I do – just watch out for the “sway”.

Blessing to you on your journey,

Lee

You know God’s Word will return to Him. I had never really seen that part of this verse before… that His Word actually returns to Him accomplished in that which it was sent. We can have comfort to know that what God says in His Word will come to pass in our lives if we believe. There is only one thing that can stop the Word of God from accomplishing that which it was sent and it is not the devil.

There is only one thing… and that thing is unbelief. Hold true to what God has spoken to you. Remember the promises that He has given you through His Word and hold on to them. Your faith will sustain you and will keep you in perfect peace.

One side thing, if your looking for a good marriage website check out Marriage By The Book. Its our Lead Pastor Rick Porterfield’s  new website and there is good stuff there.

Blessings to you on your Journey,

Lee