After the elder's meeting last night, one of the elders stayed after to talk to me for a few minutes about a potential church member of Oakwood that I had been talking to. He told me some things that he had seen and heard about this person. I'm listening to this and he threw out a term that I was unfamiliar with. Then he explained what it meant and the intention of it and I was shocked and embarrassed that I hadn't caught on.
I realized after that conversation that I am a bit sheltered. The office that I go to everyday is filled with scripture and prayer. There is no foul language or filthy talk at the office, no innuendo of any type. And I realized after speaking with this dear brother in the Lord that he is exposed to much more worldliness on a daily basis than I am. This awareness has made me pray today and feel for my church members that deal with this kind of stuff everyday of their lives. And for some of them, it's all day every day.
I know that the world is corrupt and evil. I know that people in the last days will become even more filthy with the world. I see that progression happening today and it will probably only get worse.
The lesson here for me and all of us as Christians is to be aware what others may be dealing with in the world. There may be some that have jobs and schools where they are exposed to much more sin and evil than you and I are. I remember working in a secular job before ministry and when I laid out of ministry for a few months several years ago. I remember the foul language and coarse jokes and hearing and being exposed to those all of the time. As a Christian, it's not fun and can become downright annoying. For some it can really become a downer. We should pray for one another and pray for our witness and testimony to remain pure. This is the light that we have that penetrated the darkness of our sinful world. Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
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