Laying Down Your Worldly Ways
I have been a Christian for 13 years. It is now the year 2022. There are many changes I have had to make – some have been easy, some hard. The word of God tells us to be Holy as He is Holy. This means having a Kingdom mindset and living in the Kingdom and not the world. Worldly behaviour is unholy and contrary to the Kingdom. Some examples of worldly behaviour are found in Galatians 5:19-21 and labelled as works of the flesh. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (KJV). These things are the opposite to the Kingdom behaviour of holiness.
For most of my life I have had an uncouth sense of humour. Anything to do with farting, burping, or joking about private body parts I would be in fits of laughter. On one hand I am very respectful, pleasant, caring and well mannered, and on the other it was like I had this naughty side to me that was always itching to come out. Being a sufferer of anxiety and always suffering fear and worrying about being perfect all the time, this side of me when it came out took away all of that. It was refreshing and fun but in the wrong company could be construed as offensive. After becoming a Christian this side of me got very quenched (especially when being around other Christians). However, I still had friends that were not Christians and when spending time with them this side would more often than not make an appearance.
About a year ago I joined Facebook. I decided it would not be a Christian Facebook but a reconnection of people from my past and just something I could have fun with. On occasion I will post about Jesus and my love for Him but more often than not I am posting silly jokes. I often wonder if some of these things I post are offensive to Jesus or to other Christians even though I find them hilarious. I asked Jesus if it was bad to post these jokes and never got an answer.
Recently I had a birthday and went out with friends to celebrate. I had a fantastic night and my naughty side made an appearance. I had made myself a promise years ago not to indulge in drunkenness and to always limit any alcoholic drinks to two over the course of a night. The two drinks I would have however would encourage this side of me to come out more (as alcohol inhibits your inhibitions). This naughty side of me was never about bad language (because even before being a Christian I never liked swearing) but more about being loud, silly, hypoactive and at times uncouth – farting, burping and telling questionable jokes. The next day I would always feel guilty. Was it the Holy Spirit convicting me or the enemy condemning me? Surely it was just fun and knowing God has a sense of humour He would be okay with it surely? I would often wonder what other Christians would think of my behaviour. My friends and immediate family thought it funny and would join in. Other Christians always seemed so reserved which is why I never acted this way in front of them. Is this behaviour contrary to the Kingdom? Inside I knew it probably was but I kept pushing that nagging feeling to one side as I was having fun – it was part of my character and I have always had this crazy side to me.
Today as I was spending time with Jesus I finally heard from Him on this matter and this is what I believe He said; “Do you glorify Me? Everything you do needs to glorify Me. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV). I am in You so what you do reflects Me. Do you conduct yourself with poise and grace. Are you Holy? Do you appear Holy? Crude, lewd behaviour and distasteful jokes are not of the Kingdom. Do I have a sense of humour? Of course but not at the expense of someone else’s feelings or in things unholy. The way you act in these times is not bad, but it is also not Holy. I need for you to reflect holiness. It is time to change your ways. The Tarn of old (who is funny) is no more. A new Tania is to come. Loving, giving, compassionate and still fun. Are you allowed to drink alcohol? Not if it brings out crude and lewd behaviour. Why is it in you? You are of the world. Corruption is in you. Put on incorruption. Repent for your unholy deeds, thoughts and actions. Are you ready to give this up?
Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. But sexual immorality and all [moral] impurity [indecent, offensive behavior] or greed must not even be hinted at among you, as is proper among saints [for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith]. Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God] (Ephesians 4:1-5, AMP)
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:17-22, KJV).
(PRAYER) – “Father God in Jesus name I repent that I did not glorify You and Your Kingdom in all things I do. I repent and renounce all unholy deeds, thoughts and actions. I am ready to lay these down and reflect holiness. Please help me to do this. I command all corruption to leave me in Jesus name. I put off the old man and put on the new. I clothe myself in incorruption, righteousness and holiness in Jesus name. I command all crude, lewd and distasteful spirits to go in Jesus name. Thank You Lord Jesus, Amen”.
By Tania Francis