How can we guard against cultural influences that lead us away from God? A Sobering Scene: 2 Chronicles 28:3 “He burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, following the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.” Ahaz allowed the surrounding culture to dictate his worship, pulling him so far from the LORD that he committed atrocities unthinkable to a people who possessed God’s Word. His fall is a cautionary marker on the road of faith, showing how quickly drift becomes destruction when culture replaces Scripture. Recognize the Pull of the Culture • Culture is persuasive; it normalizes what God condemns (Isaiah 5:20). • Incremental compromise dulls spiritual sensitivity (Hebrews 3:13). • Behind every godless trend is an age-old spiritual war (1 John 5:19; Ephesians 6:12). Root Ourselves in the Unchanging Word • Daily intake of Scripture renews the mind and exposes counterfeit ideas (Romans 12:2; Psalm 119:105). • Literal obedience, not selective agreement, guards the heart (James 1:22-25). • Speak the Word aloud; it counteracts the noise of the age (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Establish Clear Boundaries • Decide in advance where you will not go—physically, mentally, digitally (Daniel 1:8). • Remove media, relationships, or habits that feed compromise (Matthew 5:29-30). • Honor the Sabbath principle: set apart time that culture cannot touch (Exodus 20:8-11). Choose Companionship Wisely • “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). • Pursue friendships that sharpen faith, not dull it (Proverbs 27:17). • Engage culture missionally, yet maintain a pilgrim mindset (John 17:15-18). Keep the Heart Watchful • “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). • Monitor what evokes admiration and desire; affection precedes action (Colossians 3:2). • Regular self-examination prevents hidden sin from taking root (Psalm 139:23-24). Arm Yourself for Spiritual Battle • Wear the full armor: truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, Word, prayer (Ephesians 6:10-18). • Fasten thoughts to Christ whenever tempting messages arise (2 Corinthians 10:5). • Worship actively; praise silences cultural idols (Psalm 22:3). Pass the Torch to the Next Generation • Ahaz sacrificed his sons; conversely, godly parents sacrifice comfort to disciple children (Ephesians 6:4). • Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness; narrative shapes worldview (Psalm 78:4-7). • Model joyful holiness so that obedience looks attractive, not oppressive (Titus 2:10). Summary Takeaways Stay alert to cultural drift, anchor in Scripture, draw firm lines, seek godly allies, guard the heart, battle in the Spirit, and invest in the next generation. Ahaz shows what happens when culture takes the throne; Christ shows what happens when God does. |
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