GOD’S WORD TELLS US HOW TO STAND FIRM WHEN EVILNESS IS ON THE RISE

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 
but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 
(Matthew 24:12-13)

MEDITATION:
What is the greatest threat to ‘love’? According to Jesus, it is ‘wickedness’.
When Jesus was describing the ‘end times’, He told the disciples (and us) 
that wickedness will increase, as love decreases.
Love and sinfulness are in a constant battle 
for domination of our mind, heart and soul.
Neither one of them wants to coexist with the other.

If the love of many is growing cold, 
then by default, wickedness is increasing.
Love is a barrier that evilness has to break through in order to flourish.
Whenever love is absent, a void is created that sinfulness can quickly fill.
When we observe our world today, we can see the increase of wickedness
and if we believe Jesus, then love is growing cold in the hearts of many.

We witness it every day as we see the lack of respect for human lives.
Devaluing life at any level, results in devaluing it at all levels.
We can surmise that murdering babies at an early age (pre-birth) 
is a contributing factor to senseless murders at all ages.

Society wants to place the blame on weapons for the increase of murders,
but when the hearts of many are growing cold, they will 
find creative ways to take the lives of others with whatever is available.

So, what do we do when we live in a world where evil is on the rise?
Jesus says that we should “stand firm” through it all.
We should seek to know and love God more because He shows us how love looks.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)

Jesus tells us to continue with love in our hearts in spite of our circumstances.
When we pattern our lives after Him, our confidence in standing firm increases.
This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence 
on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. (1 John 4:17)

His instructions can seem insurmountable without divine assistance.
However, God assured us that we have help through His Spirit 
sent directly ‘into the hearts’ of everyone who believes in His Son. 
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 
set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a 
deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
We are reminded that everything good emanates from our hearts, 
and when His Spirit is alive within us, 
we will be able to “stand firm in Christ”.

ACTION:
Which one is winning in your personal life, evilness or love?
According to the scriptures, if you are allowing ungodly thoughts 
to increase in your mind, then loving thoughts and actions will decrease.

For some reason, it seems impossible to prevent sinful thoughts from dancing 
through our minds, but it’s how you handle those thoughts that is important.
Paul tells us not to be phony Christians and pretend to be someone 
we are not while embellishing these sinful thoughts in our minds.

You are to seize control of these suddenly appearing thoughts, rather than 
allowing them to seize control of your mind, and ultimately your heart.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the 
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
(2 Corinthians 10:5)
 
With the aid of His Spirit, you have the capacity to escort sinful thoughts 
out of your mind and replace them with righteous thoughts of obedience.
Taking control of these thoughts is a way you can ‘stand firm’ 
and contribute to the healthiness of love in your mind and in your heart.
It requires a conscious determination and effort; 
the sinful thoughts will not go away if you do nothing.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me in Your Word of the 
battle between sin and love in my own life. I pray that Your Spirit will 
guide me in my efforts to defeat the sinful thoughts that come to mind, 
and to quickly replace them with righteous and loving thoughts. Help 
me to stand firm in love while living in a world of increasing evil.”

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