The teenage years have been on my heart and mind a lot recently. Namely because of one of my sons. I've been asking God for a way to explain that his walking in the world after being so close to God is just dumb. However, realizing that I'm dealing with a teenager, I needed a way to make sense to that particular time of life.
The Lord answered me with this...
What is rebellion? What is bucking the system? What is defiance? What is nonconformity? What is being unique and being different?
Satan is identified in Scripture as the ruler of this world.
Joh 14:30 I shall no longer speak many things with you, for the ruler of this world comes, and he has nothing in Me.
So, if Satan is the ruler of this world, that means that sin in all its forms is the norm. It means that rebellion against God and His law is the norm. That's the status quo. All this talk of doing my own thing, living the way I want, etc. is really just announcing to the world that you don't want to be different than anybody else. You're buying into the norm. You're being unique, just like everyone else. You're making a bold statement that you're just another sucker who's following Satan's lead like a dumb ox heading for the slaughter house without even knowing it.
Now that I have your attention, let's ask the real question here. How can I really be unique? How can I really be different? How can I express myself? Well, the norm is following Satan's lead and living in the things of this world. The opposite is taking a stand as a Christian and not compromising. Of course, that has some nasty side effects too...
Joh 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Joh 17:14 I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Ouch. Doesn't sound like much fun does it. Course, taking a stand as a Christian, and being true to His law isn't always easy. Satan's way is easy, but it has a nasty ending. Being a Christian means being a Christian in front of everyone, not just those who are. You can't be doubleminded. You can't walk on both sides of the fence. You have to pick a side.
Old saying. "You have to stand for something or you'll fall for anything". That predates the song with that in the lryics by a lot of years by the way.
So, what do we get for riding the fence? For not taking a stand?
Jas 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever desires to be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jer 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, nor could they blush; therefore they shall fall among those who fall. At the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, says Jehovah.
Sounds pretty clear to me. Either believe it and live it, or there are the consequences.
Here's the punchline. True rebellion is walking with God. Truly being unique is choosing to take a stand for God and His word. True difference and expression is separating yourself from the world and it's ways, and LIVING IT!
Satan makes out Christians to be weak, boring people who never have any fun. Why? Cause he doesn't want us rebelling against him. He wants to drag us down with him cause he hates all mankind. He knows that if he makes the other side look dull and wimpy and lame, we won't want to go.
Be a rebel. Take a stand. Express yourself. Be unique. Be different. Separate yourself from the herd. Walking with God isn't always easy, but it comes with TRUE power and authority.
Let me tell you.... IT'S A WILD RIDE!!!
