These common cultures are so many that we cannot exhaust them in one sitting. However, there are some pressing ones that have seeped into the church and must be addressed so we are aware and watchful.
What the world says: “Get rich, get more, show off your wealth, your value is in your possessions.”
The world today brings intense pressure; a pressure that can quietly diminish the value of the small but meaningful milestones we make. We are pushed to make more money, often at the expense of contentment. We are told to get what we want at any cost , “the end justifies the means.”
But what does Scripture say? “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” ~ Luke 12:15
What we often fail to see is that behind this pressure lurks greed, envy, and covetousness, all hidden beneath society’s push for more. We must take heed, lest we fall prey to the enemy’s subtle tactics.
What the world says: “Boast about your achievements. Elevate yourself. Be better than others.”
There is also the subtle pressure to display our achievements, not always to celebrate genuinely, but to prove to others that we are good enough or doing better than they are. This is why we must honestly check our hearts: What is my true motive behind this?
What does Scripture say? “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ~James 4:6
The culture of the Kingdom is humility, not self-glorification.
What the world says: “Why stand out? Blend in. Be politically correct. Don’t offend.”
There is also the battle of compromise, where we are made to believe that certain “little compromises” are acceptable if they help us please superiors, secure contracts, or fit in. Sometimes, we silence our Kingdom values when they clash with the world’s standards, just to avoid conflict or loss.
As subtle and harmless as this may seem, it contradicts Scripture. Why? Because we are the salt of the earth:
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” ~ Matthew 5: 13–16
We are the salt of the earth, sent to preserve it from decay. Every time we compromise, we add to its moral decay.
We must stand boldly for our Kingdom values, because our culture is not the culture of this world. And by God’s strength, we can stand, one day at a time.
Prayer: Lord, help me never to lose my saltiness or hide my light. Help me stand firm as Your ambassador, spotless and without blemish, reflecting Your truth in all I do.
