One might ask, “When am I in the world or of the world?” The Bible states that so a man thinks in his heart so is he. How many people hear the sound of my word today with a stable mind and heart which is not controlled by their emotions? Have you ever begun speaking with someone and noticed that as you were speaking they looked to be preoccupied with something else on their mind? It’s almost as though the lights are on, but no one is home. Sometimes I believe the Lord looks at us this way as well. We are sometimes so preoccupied with self that we can not hear His voice or see Him moving in situations or in the atmosphere.
9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Mark 4:9-19
In these verses when you’re preoccupied with things in your life, you may inadvertently tune out Christ. When He tries to talk to you with the simple things, if you’re preoccupied with your life, how will you ever hear Him in the deep things? You see, when you have locked yourself into this world, you won’t know how deeply rooted into the world you are.
What does it read in the 19th verse again of Mark 4? “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
Not with standing you might want to ask yourself how far have you gone or how far are you willing to go in this world?
3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. 4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven 6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Proverbs 23:3-7
You have to remember Christ wasn’t of this world and neither should we be (John 17:16.) With the advent of so many things going on in our lives these days, where does your hope and treasure lie?
30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. 33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Matthew 12:30-35
Always know an understand this, if your more preoccupied with this life and the cares of what going on around you, then ask how far am I in?