Shunning the Babbling World
George Stiekes
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (2 Timothy 2:16)
As the end of planet earth draws near (2 Peter 3:10-12), all of the nonsense that is taking place all around us will intensify. The word profane means to debase by a wrong, unworthy, or vulgar use. It commonly treats something spiritual or sacred with abuse or irreverence.
There is a more common word into which profane and vain babblings fit well. It is the word “WORLDLINESS.” I often wonder if we do not give ourselves over to this kind of activity when we watch reality shows and programs like Good Morning America and the Today Show. There is so much talk on subjects to which Christians should never think about — vain babblings abound with a clear acceptance to immorality and it is getting worse every day — more subtle, refined, dangerous and devilish. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13). For the most part, most of the people in these programs are hell-bound sinners and by watching their programs, which boosts their ratings, we are not only delighting in their evil, but we are encouraging it. So much of the evil being labeled as entertainment is nothing more than godless chatter. Should we be stooping as low as they are?
Our text clearly states, But shun profane and vain babblings. We are to avoid it at all costs. You cannot be put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17) and watch this kind of trash at the same time. Christians who do need to ask themselves whether or not they truly love God. If you genuinely love God, you will love what He loves and hate what He hates.
Many more things could be added to this that keep us from godly activity. One of these would be the internet. Through the internet and other sources, the social life of the ungodly is spreading in the lives of those who would call themselves godly, leading to all kinds of problems within our homes and in our lives personally. It is even worse when Christians then seek the counsel of worldly counselors and judges in direct opposition of the clear teaching of the Word of God.
This is only one of the reasons why I feel that the Body of Christ in America is desperately needing revival. So many Christians do not even know what our main purpose is as to why God created us and saved us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states that we are a new creation and there is a desperate need to get back to both being and living what God says we are. In Christ, we were raised to newness of life (Romans 6:4). No, there is no sinless perfection on this side of Heaven, but we are supposed to be growing more and more into the likeness of our Savior, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28-29; Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 2:5; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy (I Peter 1:16). We need to be honest here – Do you really think it is possible to feed on worldly thinking and come out holy, pleasing and useful for the glory of God? Search the Scriptures on this one. Pray earnestly about it and see what God would be willing to do in your life for your blessing and His glory.
George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.