In these last days, we are urged to live with spiritual urgency and not be overly entangled in the concerns of this world. The Apostle Paul reminds believers that earthly matters—though necessary—must never overshadow our devotion to God. 1. Time Is Running Out – Live with Eternal Focus 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (NIV)“What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.” Paul emphasizes that the world and everything in it is temporary. Marriage, work, grief, and joy are all part of human life, but they should not control us. Christians are called to live with the mindset of pilgrims (Hebrews 11:13)—aware that our true home is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). The Greek word for “form” in verse 31 is schema, meaning “outward fashion or appearance.” Paul is saying this world is not permanent—it’s like a stage set, soon to be taken down. Therefore, we should hold earthly things loosely. 2. Earthly Responsibilities Must Not Distract Us from the Lord Paul speaks candidly about how life situations, like marriage, can create divided interests. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (NIV)“I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—and his interests are divided… I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.” This does not mean marriage is sinful—far from it. Marriage is ordained by God (Genesis 2:24). But Paul warns that if we are not careful, even good things like family and work can consume our attention and weaken our devotion. Jesus taught something similar: Matthew 6:33 (NIV)“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 3. Don’t Let Earthly Success Steal Your Spiritual Sensitivity Some believers become so involved in business, school, or even ministry logistics that they lose their prayer life and neglect the Word of God. Though they may be materially successful, their spiritual life begins to dry up. Luke 21:34-35 (NIV)“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.” This verse points to the return of Christ and warns us to stay spiritually awake. The “day” refers to the Day of the Lord—the time of Christ’s return and judgment. If we’re too distracted by life’s pressures, we may not be ready when He comes. 4. Use the World Without Being Consumed by It As Christians, we live in the world but are not of the world (John 17:16). Paul says we should use the world “as if not engrossed in it.” That means we can engage in school, work, and relationships, but we must not be enslaved by them. Judges 7:4–7 (NIV summary)Gideon’s 300 soldiers drank water with their hands instead of plunging their faces into the river. Why? Because they remained alert, watchful, and ready for battle. The others who drank carelessly were not chosen. This example teaches us to remain spiritually alert even while handling daily needs. Don’t bury your head in the water (worldly pursuits) so deeply that you can’t see when the enemy—or the Lord—appears. 5. Stay in Prayer and Cast Your Cares on God Philippians 4:6 (NIV)“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” God doesn’t want us to be overwhelmed by worry. Even as we handle daily life, He calls us to live in prayerful dependence on Him. Anxiety distracts the heart, but prayer keeps it centered. Conclusion: Live Ready Every passing day brings us closer to Christ’s return. Let’s not live carelessly or with misplaced priorities. Whether you are married, in school, running a business, or serving in ministry—keep your eyes on Jesus. Use the things of this world, but don’t let them use you. Colossians 3:2 (NIV)“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” May the Lord bless you and help you live wisely in these final days
God often uses visible, physical experiences to reveal invisible spiritual realities. This pattern is seen throughout the Bible and continues to be true today. One striking example is when Jesus healed the demon-possessed man. After Jesus cast the demons out, they entered a herd of pigs, which immediately rushed into a lake and drowned (Luke 8:33). This wasn’t just a dramatic event—it symbolized something deeper. It showed that the true purpose of demonic forces is to bring destruction. Their mission is exactly what Jesus described in John 10:10: “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Contrary to some cultural or religious beliefs, there is no such thing as a “good demon” or a “friendly spirit.” Any spiritual force not from God is ultimately working toward destruction. Even if it seems harmless, its goal is to separate a person from the life of God. That’s why having any evil spirit, no matter how subtle, is spiritually dangerous. Take another example from the Gospels. In Mark 9:22, a father brings his tormented son to Jesus and says, “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.” The demon’s purpose was clear: to destroy the boy’s life. Even today, if someone is under the influence of a spirit—such as lust, addiction, pride, or anger—it’s not just about bad habits. Spiritually speaking, those forces want to lead the person into ruin, sickness, or even death, and ultimately, eternal separation from God. This is why salvation and spiritual deliverance are so critical. God sometimes allows visible events to reflect someone’s inner condition, just as He did with Saul (later known as Paul). Paul’s Encounter with Jesus: A Revelation of Inner Blindness Saul was a zealous Pharisee, sincerely believing he was serving God by persecuting Christians. On his way to Damascus, he encountered the risen Jesus in a blinding light (Acts 9:3–6). That light was so intense that he became physically blind. But this blindness was more than a physical condition—it was a reflection of Saul’s true spiritual state. For three days he remained blind until a disciple named Ananias, obeying God’s instruction, came to pray for him. What followed was both physical and symbolic: Acts 9:17–18 (NIV)“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road… has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again.” The “scales” falling from Paul’s eyes were more than a medical detail—they symbolized the lifting of spiritual blindness. Paul had been sincere in his religion but sincerely wrong. He couldn’t see the truth of Jesus Christ until God removed the spiritual veil. Spiritual Blindness Today: How It Works These “scales” still exist today in people’s spiritual lives. Someone might be well-educated, financially successful, or even religious—but still be blind to the truth of the gospel. As Paul himself later explained: 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 (NIV)“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age [Satan] has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ.” Spiritual blindness doesn’t always mean failure in life. You may be skilled in many things but completely blind to the things of God. When someone hears the message of the cross and finds it foolish or irrelevant, it’s a sign that their spiritual eyes are covered. Even warnings about hell or testimonies of salvation don’t move them. They remain stuck in sinful patterns, such as drunkenness or sexual immorality, while clinging to religious identity without transformation. In some cases, the blindness is so deep that the person actively resists the gospel—just like Paul did before his conversion. But after his encounter with Jesus, everything changed. Once the scales were removed, he became one of the most passionate advocates for the message he once tried to destroy. Galatians 1:23–24 (NIV):“They only heard the report: ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they praised God because of me.” Final Warning: Don’t Let the Scales Stay Satan’s strategy hasn’t changed. He still works to blind people spiritually—keeping them from seeing their need for salvation while they’re still alive. Hebrews 3:15 (NIV):“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” If these spiritual scales are never removed, the consequences are eternal. Jesus spoke clearly about hell, and in Luke 16:19–31, He told the story of a rich man who ended up in torment. From hell, the man begged for someone to warn his family so they wouldn’t end up there too. The regret was overwhelming—but it was too late. The Good News: Christ Can Remove the Scales The gospel is not just about moral improvement—it’s about transformation. Jesus came to “open the eyes of the blind” (Isaiah 42:7, Luke 4:18). He can remove the scales from your heart and mind, just as He did for Paul. If you feel distant from God, or if spiritual things seem confusing or meaningless to you, perhaps it’s because your spiritual eyes need to be opened. You don’t need to stay in that condition. Repent of your sins, turn to Jesus Christ, and ask Him to open your eyes. When He does, you’ll begin to see the beauty of salvation and the truth of the cross. John 8:12 (NIV):“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Conclusion: The Time Is Now We are living in the last days. Jesus is coming soon. Don’t let Satan keep you blinded until it’s too late. Open your heart to God, turn from sin, and receive the light of Christ. He is ready to remove the spiritual scales and lead you into eternal life. May the Lord bless you.