1 John 2:16-17 (NKJV) For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
We live in a city that is driven by the desire to be rich, because many think that riches will bring them happiness, acceptance, security, status, recognition, power and love, but not every rich person is happy and fulfilled. Otherwise, why would they be looking for spiritual retreats? It is because the vacuum in their lives can only be filled by God.
There is a certain spirit within a city that is influencing the people and you can identify it by listening to people’s conversations. The prince of the power of the air, the ruler of the air, the principalities and power has certain influences over a city, but the kingdom of God also rules and reigns in our lives. Therefore, we are able to live our lives differently in accordance to the Word.
Christ should be the centre of our lives, or everything else will be meaningless. One of the many referrals to thorns in the Bible is people who influence our lives. Thorns always grow faster than the seed. Likewise, it is easier for us to learn about wickedness and bad behaviour than to change for good. The Bible says that the thorns grew up among the seed and choked the growth of the seed. That is because the thorns blocked the sunlight from reaching the seed. Therefore, the seed yielded no crops.
Not everyone whom we associate with is a positive voice of influence in our lives because they might not hold the same values and principles as us. They might value their investments, work, status, possessions, and everything in this world as being more important than God, relationships with family members and church. The devil will continue to tell the same lie and tempt everyone in the same way that he tempted Jesus.
We may not know that we have been deceived until we come to a realisation or be awaken by the foolishness of it. Satan can use it to shackle us and get us off course. Therefore, what we need is another voice that will influence us correctly, and that is the voice of God through His Word and godly counsel. It should be the seed that is sown into our hearts to lead and guide us so that we will truly experience the God-led life.
Sermon Series: Don’t Let It Be Stolen (Part 3)
谁影响你？
约翰一书2:16-17因为凡世界上的事，就像肉体的情欲，眼目的情欲，并今生的骄傲，都不是从父来的，乃是从世界来的。这世界和其上的情欲都要过去，惟独遵行神旨意的，是永远常存。
我们生活在一个被致富欲望所驱使的城市中，因为许多人认为财富会给他们带来幸福、接纳、安全感、地位、认可、权力和爱，但并不是每个富人都是快乐和感到满足的。不然，他们为什么会寻找灵里的安息呢？这是因为只有神能填补他们生命中的空虚。
城市中有某种灵正在影响着人们，通过听人们的谈话就能辨别出它。空中掌权者的首领、空中的掌权者、执政的和掌权的对一座城市具有一定的影响力，但神的国度也在我们的生命中行政和掌权。因此，我们能够按照神的话语来过不一样的生活。
基督应该成为我们生命的中心，不然其他一切都将毫无意义。圣经中有许多关于荆棘的比喻，其中之一就是那些影响我们生命的人。荆棘永远比种子长得快，同样，学坏和效法不良的行为总比变为良善更容易。圣经说，荆棘长在种子中间，挤住了种子的生长。这是因为荆棘阻挡阳光晒到种子上，因此种子不能结出果实。
并不是我们交往的每个人都能对我们的生命有正面的影响，因为他们可能与我们的价值观和原则不同。他们可能重视自己的投资、工作、地位、财产和世界上的一切远超过与神、家人和教会的关系。魔鬼会继续说同样的谎言，并以牠试探耶稣的方式试探每一个人。
我们可能不知道自己被欺骗了，直到我们意识到或者在它的愚昧中觉醒。撒旦可以利用谎言来辖制我们，使我们偏离正道。因此，我们需要另一个能正确影响我们的声音，那就是神的声音，藉着祂的话语和属神的忠告临到我们。撒在我们心中的种子应该是那带领和引导我们，这样我们得以真正经历神所引领的生命。
讲章系列：别让种子被偷走！(第三部分)
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