Spirit Of The Age

"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others." - Ephesians 2:1-3

Looking for discussions of the Spirit of the Age, a topic raised during the sermon last Sunday, I "stumbled" across this quote from a book, Slaying Dragons, by a South African evangelist, Daniel Kolenda. 

"Zeitgeist [zite-guyst] is a German word that literally means time-spirit. It refers to the spirit of the times, or the spirit of the age. In other words, it is the attitude or mood of a culture during a particular time period that gives rise to its unique values and beliefs. When cultural eras shift in the world, it can feel as if an invisible hand is pushing things along. This is both figuratively and literally the spirit of the age.

The zeitgeist in one era and in one place might be better or worse than that of another time or location. Yet there is an interesting way in which the zeitgeist of each era most often seems to find itself in opposition to the Christian worldview. There is a consistent theme of antipathy for Christ and all that He stands for. This hatred is both implicit and explicit." - Daniel Kolenda, "Slaying Dragons"

In the Old Testament there was a cycle for Israel in which there was a generation that knew God, a generation that knew about God and a generation that did not know God. The lesson, people are "prone to wander" away from God. I have used the analogy of the "frog in the pot" to describe the insidious nature of the "zeitgeist's" influence on what is truth and what is acceptable in the world. Martie and I love murder mysteries. Particularly those on British television.  Something we have noticed in virtually all of the programs is the gradual introduction of zeitgeist in the programming. It might be profanity. One season will have none. The next will have occasional mild profanity. But by then, you are hooked on the characters and the context of the mysteries and are tempted to make excuses for the profanity. In another program, that characters started with one gay male character. Then the parson "came out of the closet". Next the congregation accepted the parson's sexual orientation and he married another man. The program never missed a beat with respect to the "Who Dunnit" portion of the program. So the temptation is to ignore the zeitgeist and keep watching.

We have a plaque next to our television with a quote from Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, Guard your heart." As a constant reminder that the television, and our computers and phones are portals through which Satan can get a foothold. (Ephesians 4:27)

We tried to watch the latest Jurassic Park movie with our family - including three of our great grand children. Profanity right out of the shoot! So goodbye to Jurassic Park. Funny thing is, the profanity did not add to the story line. But something I learned in the Army - If I ignore a violation of a standard (in this case the Bible and the Spirit of God) then, in doing so, I establish a new standard.  People are watching - children are watching. Had we not taken a stand on what is appropriate language then we would have told our family - the children, those words are acceptable. There is a command and a promise in Philippians 4:8-9.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." - Philippians 4:8-9

And there is an admonition and provision given to us Ephesians 6 as well. 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" - Ephesians 6:10-18

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone