Are You a Frog in a Pot?

Are You a Frog in a Pot?

An old adage says that if you put a frog into a pot of boiling water, it will leap out right away to escape the danger. However, if you put that same frog into a kettle that is filled with water that is mild and pleasant, and then you gradually increase the heat in the kettle until it starts boiling, the frog will not become aware of the threat until it is too late (cooked frog!).

I'll have to admit I've never tried to "slow cook" a frog, but the tale makes for a good lesson. We have to be careful about slowly changing trends in our environment, not just the sudden changes. The story is a warning to encourage people to pay attention not just to obvious threats or influences, but also to the subtle, more slowly developing ones.

God gives similar warnings to His people: "Be careful of the pot you choose to live in" (a paraphrase of God's instruction to be careful of the influence of the world in which we live).

We live "in" the world

In praying to God the Father about the Church, Jesus Christ acknowledged that His followers must continue to live in the world. He doesn't expect (or desire) us to become hermits on a mountaintop or in some remote, dark cave!

Yet He expressed great concern about protecting the Church from the evil influence that Satan has on this world. Notice His words to His Father: "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:15-16 [15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
[16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

See All...).

Here Jesus acknowledges that we have to continue to live in a world that is under the influence of values and a power that is simply not of God. He acknowledges that we are living (physically) in the world, but that we should not be (philosophically) of the world. That, my friends, is a challenge, but one that God knows we can, with His help, accomplish.

The apostle Paul described the world that we came out of as being directed by Satan and the evil spirit world (Ephesians 2:2-3 [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

See All...). Most people don't realize that many of their previous values and actions before they were called of God were actually of Satan's influences— the hot water in this boiling pot!

Don't love the world

The apostle John cautioned the Church not to "love the world or the things in the world" (1 John 2:15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
See All...). While God wants all of His people to have a true, outgoing concern and love for all peoples, here John is actually warning that the values that are promoted in the world we live in are dangerous. Succumbing to this self-centered mind-set—where the world and its material things become our primary focus—can destroy our efforts to be in the Kingdom of God.

To put it straight, John warns us of the (all too familiar) rush to satisfy the human appetites that we are all subject to:

The lust of the flesh— the things that people seek for satisfying the physical: junk food, substance abuse, illicit sex, excessive seeking of entertainment and pleasure, etc.

The lust of the eyes— the things people look at and covet after: pornography, looks/beauty, wealth, etc.

The pride of life— the desire for prestige, fame, power and popularity.

When we think about it, all of these vices or appetites are still relevant in the 21st century. These vices are still central to the lifestyle promoted by the media in advertising, television, movies and entertainment. These are the perceived needs and appetites that motivate most people today! How very sad.

Consider this advice

What can we do to ensure that we remain "unspotted" from the world (James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
See All...)—even while we live in it? This is a serious responsibility not to be taken lightly, and it applies to one's entire life, 24/7!

Remember the account of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 [11] And he said, A certain man had two sons:
[12] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
[13] And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
[14] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
[15] And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
[16] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
[17] And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
[18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
[19] And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
[20] And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
[21] And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
[22] But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
[23] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
[24] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
[25] Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
[26] And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
[27] And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
[28] And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
[29] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
[30] But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
[31] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
[32] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

See All...? This young man wanted to experience all that the world had to offer; it seems that he was tempted by the things John warned against. You can resist these influences if you become convinced that God's law and way of life are truly best. But you have to decide!

The following questions can help you evaluate what is really important to you. Consider these questions and suggestions as you make your choices living in this world:

Ask yourself: Who is influencing whom? When you interact with others of different values in school or in the workplace, who is really doing the influencing? This is a very important question to ask, since those who strive to serve God are greatly outnumbered by those who are ignorant of the true God. Remember, the potential influence on us can be far greater than our influence on others.

Ask yourself: Is this sin? This may seem to be a "no-brainer." However, it is a fundamental question we should ask ourselves about where we go, what we do and what we think about and desire. Are these things good or bad in the eyes of God? Is it sin, or is it not?

Ask yourself: In what direction is this taking me? Sometimes our individual decisions or activities themselves may not technically be wrong or sinful, but we should still ask ourselves about the overall direction of our life. What is the focus of the culture, social circles and people that we hang out with? Is the direction it is all headed a good one? And does it enhance the spiritual goals you have for yourself—like entering the Kingdom of God in the future? Direction is critically important when you want to get somewhere. Next time you travel somewhere, test the theory!

Dialogue with others who share your beliefs. Socializing with others who are of the same faith and who share your beliefs is an important key to remaining focused on God's way of life (Hebrews 10:24-25 [24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

See All...). However, just hanging with other young people who go to your church will not always be enough.

It's good to have some friends who will share their convictions and talk about the truth of God once in a while. History has shown that articulating what we believe is strengthening to our convictions. This influence is called positive peer pressure.

Ask God for help. No matter what challenges we face in life, we should never lose sight of the greatest source of help and strength: Almighty God. Living in this darkened world, coupled with its tinsel and temptations, we should continually pray for God's help and the strength and wisdom to do the right thing.

Be an example

In contrast to the warnings about being caught up in this world, Jesus told His followers that they were to actually be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16 [14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
[15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
[16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

See All...) and that they shouldn't hide from the world in which they live. Even though God admonishes us to distance ourselves from the wrong values that are promoted in this society, He tells us to be good examples of kindness and honest behavior to all men (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 [4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
[5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
[6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
[7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

See All...; 1 Peter 2:12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
See All...).

It's important for us to understand why God wants us to remain in the world but not become part of it. Two reasons: By this, 1) God is providing the best circumstances for us to grow in spiritual strength and in compassion for those around us, and 2) He is preserving our lives for greater service to mankind when Jesus Christ brings a new government at His return.

The time is coming when the environment that man will live in will be cool and refreshing as opposed to the hot and boiling pot of today's world! The apostle Peter spoke of this wonderful future world that will be truly refreshing compared to the violence, death and suffering of today. He called this future age the "times of refreshing" (Acts 3:19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
See All...).

This world is powerful. Its influence should not be underestimated. You and I cannot live and spiritually flourish in this world without a commitment to God and the values found in His Word. But remember, God has called you to prepare for a world that will replace the one we now live in. The world we look forward to isn't here yet but is coming soon! VT