These past few weeks, we have been exploring Kingdom Culture, and today’s devotional will take a slightly different turn. We’re going to look at some common “harmless” cultures of the world that many Christians have confidently embraced, yet some of these directly contradict Scripture and the kind of life God has called us to live.
What the world says: “The culture of self – ‘Do you.’”
The world encourages us to put ourselves first and do whatever pleases our flesh.
But what does Scripture say? “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” ~ Luke 9:23
As Christians, we no longer belong to ourselves, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20).
Therefore, the ideology of “doing you” contradicts the call to deny ourselves and live fully for Christ.
What the world says: “Love is love. Love is sex. Anything goes, no moral lines, just do what feels good.”
Scripture is clear about what true love is and what it is not. 1 Corinthians 13 defines love as patient, kind, pure, and selfless, not lustful or selfish. Against popular opinion, love is NOT sex. Today, pre-marital sex is so normalized that abstinence and celibacy are mocked. But as believers who refuse to conform to this world, we stand on God’s truth: “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”~1 Corinthians 6:18
What the world says: “If someone wrongs you, cut them off, shame them, cancel them!”
The world today is quick to discard people, yet Jesus calls us to radical forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–22.
Scripture also says; “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you…” ~Matthew 5:44
Of course, there may be situations where healthy distance is wise, but Scripture does not teach us to cancel people. We are called to forgive, love, and pray for them.
As Christians, our guide is not the world’s opinion of what is “moral” or “good.” Why? Because not everything the world calls good is acceptable to God. Our manual is the Word of God.
Any culture, belief, value, or so-called “good” act must be weighed against Scripture. If it does not align with God’s truth, we must let it go.
