“I do not ask that you take them out of world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in the truth.”—John 17:15-17, 19
Many parents who bolt the door of their house at night, nevertheless allow thieves to come in to their homes and steal their children’s hearts. The body of the child is there but the heart is being stolen by the television set, cell phones, iPads, and other media gadgets. A steady stream of rap music, various forms of pornography, and violence (often in video games) is ingested into the child’s psyche—and we wonder why they don’t follow the Lord in later years.
Jesus prayed that we might be in the world but not of the world, just as He was. He knew—and we should too—that there is a world out there that is hostile toward God. Elsewhere John defines it as “…the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions” (1 John 2:16). This world, John adds, “is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (v.17).
We can’t break the addictive power of modern technology and its stream of worldly entertainment without consistent, focused, spiritual warfare. The lust or desire of the flesh, the lure of covetousness, and the pride of possessions and appearance—these fight against God. John said it clearly, “If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him” (v.15).
We must pray for ourselves and others that we would be kept from evil.
Let Us Pray
Father, I throw myself at Your feet, imploring You to deliver me from both the overt and subtle intrusion of the world into my life. Help me to break with any sinful avenues that I frequently choose, that I might not seek to satisfy my desires apart from Your holiness.
I pray for ____ who is bound in his/her addiction to television, pornography, and/or violence. Show them that these sins always have a bitter aftertaste, and that although they promise like a god, they pay like the devil. I pray that they might be willing to break with all of the open doors by which the world is invited into their hearts.
But Father, they are bound, slaves to sin; and slaves cannot set themselves free. So, come in power to rescue and deliver them.
In faith, I withstand the power of Satan, the “god of this world.”
Give all of us a passion for Jesus that is greater than our passion to sin.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.