We’ve been taught how to think and how to rationalize things. From the movies we watch, the music we listen to down to the adverts we see. Images have been planted in our minds until it’s normalized. It causes acceptance and other emotions that probably wouldn't have been there otherwise.
Before something is accepted it’s constantly promoted, it comes in small forms until it becomes the norm.
The world will always promote things that are contrary to God. We must ensure that whatever we do, we do it for his glory. Things such as self-gratification, greed, and worldly success, which is sometimes at the expense of our character and dignity are constantly promoted.
Measuring our actions
What do we use to measure our actions is it what people think or is it against the word of God?
As believers there are things, we constantly entertain which sometimes become a part of us. We get accustomed to hearing them to the point where we repeat them. Currently, in movies, you’ll hear people praying to the universe. We as Christians are sometimes tempted to repeat some of these things because they seem normal and acceptable.
However, as children of God, we must be separate. God doesn’t want us to follow the patterns of the world. Hence, whatever the world is promoting may not be something we should engage in, especially when it’s being forced on us. In times of uncertainty, it’s best to speak to our father and ask him for direction.
Be aware that the world will never fully promote things of God because it’s contrary to him.
Open our Eyes
We need to ask God to open our spiritual eyes. There are so many distractions as the enemy consistently tries to deceive us. If we don’t know the word of God, we can easily be swayed. His tactic is to mix truth with lies, if he doesn’t do that, many will reject him. We need to be able to identify these deceptions so that they don’t entangle us.
We must also remember that non-believers don’t know God the way we do. The scripture states, “if our gospel is hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost:In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4: 3-4).
Many will not identify with us, they won’t understand our beliefs because they have been blinded. Their lack of understanding does not nullify God’s existence nor his power.
Hence, let us hold on to our faith and remember in whom our faith lies. Let us declare as the apostles did, “We must obey God rather than man”(Acts 5:29). We need to stand out and not conform to societal norms and beliefs.
As the scripture states“ do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12: 2).
What is our responsibility?
As believers, our responsibility is to pray for each other. It is also important for us to read the word. God told Joshua, “Keep this Book of the Law, always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” (Joshua 1:8a). The word is alive and active. The more we read and meditate on it, the more it becomes a part of us.
It also enables us to better understand the God we serve and what he expects of us. As we live in the world let us not be of the world, as stated in the bible, we should “keep ourselves unspotted from the world” (James 1:27b).
We should also pray for those who are enemies of the gospel, who promote things contrary to the word of God. Especially those who do it in the name of Jesus. People are being deceived daily and some will fight to maintain that deception because of their spiritual blindness. They however still need salvation.
It is also important for us to stand out and let our lights shine. Dare to be different from those around us and never compromise our faith.
Latanya Fraser Cato is an elementary school teacher who enjoys reading and writing poetry. She is currently a Sunday school teacher at her church in Japan and has served on various youth-related ministries both in church and school in her home country Jamaica. She has a passion for counseling and helping others. She has published a book of poems entitled Soul’s Inspiration which she hopes will assist individuals facing various challenges..