Jeremiah 10:2-3a,23

‘Thus says the LORD:
“Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the people are futile;”’ (Jeremiah 10:2-3a)

These words are strong for us. The Gentiles are a picture of the world for us. We are not to learn the ways of the world. We are not to love the world. Neither the thinking, ideologies, objects, customs, beliefs, entertainment nor values of the world. There is no exception. To love the world is to hate God. Why? Because the customs of the people are futile. They amount to nothing. They mean nothing. They all pass away like grass.

One thing the world values highly is money. But where is money when the end comes? It is futile. Thus money, when valued highly, becomes a source of evil, for it leads away from God, and towards futility.

Similarly for TV shows. Even seemingly harmless shows like Getaway promote only the self, the self above all else, which is a belief of the world system. Thus entertaining yourself with this does not lead towards God at all – but only towards futility.

Music. Unless music is glorifying to God, then it also is futile. To constantly entertain oneself with these, even if they are not explicitly ‘anti-God’, is to lead yourself away from God’s glory, and into futility. It is to ‘learn the way of the Gentiles’.

And all these things, God calls idolatry, which the rest of the first half of chapter 10 makes clear. Separate yourselves from instant-fun futility, and dedicate yourself to true, lasting Joy found in God’s glory. Be ‘set apart’ for the Gospel, as Paul calls himself. There is no advantage to worldliness. Rather, let us heed Jeremiah’s words:

‘O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.’ (Jeremiah 10:23)

As Christians, we belong wholly to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and our complete love belongs to Him, and thus our complete life is led by Him. It is not ours to direct. It is not ours to walk where we will, love what we will, entertain ourselves how we will. It is Christ that directs us, and surely He directs us away from the poisoning influence of the world.