Our world has definitely lost touch with right and wrong.
Sinful lifestyles that damage people's souls are celebrated and given favor. Christian values are mocked when it comes to modesty, sexuality, finances, relationships, life goals, etc.
We must be more determined than ever to know God's Word, trust God's Word, and live by God's Word.
Our culture is a powerful form of "peer pressure" influencing us through books, TV, public opinion, telling us what's "right" to say, do, and think.
If we aren't careful, it will draw us away from God.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2
We can't understand right and wrong—God's "good, pleasing and perfect will"—unless we follow these two steps:
1. We quit conforming to the culture.2. We renew our minds.
This means refusing to do things simply because they're popular/accepted and studying God's Word to learn what pleases Him. Please pray with me that Christians (you and me included) will quit conforming and keep renewing.
For more than fifty 1-minute devotions about trusting God's Word, with helpful suggestions for studying it, check out this collection: Trust the Bible. Why not consider the suggestion in Dwelling on Scripture?
Excellent reminder!
ReplyDeleteThanks, JES.
DeleteGail : )
thank you Gayle. Wrong can be so subtle sometimes,that is where renewing our minds would come in I guess
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. We accept things because we gradually, subtly change our attitudes toward them.
DeleteGail
I so see God challenging me this morning on making wise decisions. Thank you for this reminder to live to His standard and not our own.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
DeleteI'm glad this spoke to you. It's a good reminder to me as well.
God bless you,
Gail
I so agree with you. How subtly error slips into our lives. I pray that the Lord help me stay on the path He has laid out for me. That He give me the right things to say to family members and friends who do not know Him, so that they may search for Him and His Ways.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this encouragement.
Hi Regena,
DeleteI agree with you...my prayer is that I'll stay on the Lord's path instead of the culture's path.
Bless you,
Gail
Thank you for this, Gail. I was reading a transforming book late last night and came to the part about Romans 12:1-2, and how it can be the template for our sanctification. In my own life, I have slipped up (sinned) at the movies - with Christian family members who don't seem to have the same standards. Something came up on the screen I didn't expect. But I rationalized staying and watching (and not walking out) because my thinking at the time was, "I don't want to offend my friends or make them think I think I'm better than them." (Being honest, here.)
ReplyDeleteBut last night, while reading, the Spirit of God said, "How about when you offend your Father God?" So convicted, I cried out for forgiveness and for a more focused determination to distinguish right from wrong and make better choices. The result of Romans 12:1-2 should be obedience. The Word says, "...'You shall be holy, for I am holy.' " (1 Pet. 1:16 ESV)
Hi Dawn,
DeleteI'm right there with you. I can see many little ways I'm reflecting my culture instead of the Lord...areas where I need to be more careful and deliberate.
Gail : )
Amen, amen, and AMEN!!! It's so sad to see my family and friends around my age (I'm quite young!) slipping into the state of compromise. Most often they either do not see it or purposely turn their head away and do it anyway! How much we need righteousness to be displayed in our lives!!! Thank you so much for your faithfulness in posting. These are such an encouragement to me!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are encouraged by this post, Beth.
DeleteYou are so right ... we need to live like Believers for our own good and for our witness.
Gail : )
I so agree with you! I am praying with you for Christians to keep renewing and not conform to this world.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be great if we could be the salt and light we are meant to be?
DeleteGod bless you,
Gail
Amen to that.
ReplyDelete