How can Leviticus 20:23 help us maintain holiness in a secular society? The anchor verse Leviticus 20:23: “You must not walk in the customs of the nations I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.” What the verse tells us about God’s standard - God draws a clear line between His people and surrounding cultures. - He singles out “customs” as the battleground for holiness, showing that daily habits matter. - His abhorrence of those practices is rooted in perfect justice, not preference; therefore His standard never shifts. The timeless principle - Separation is not geographical but moral. - Holiness is maintained by rejecting any practice that contradicts God’s revealed will. - The call applies to every generation living amid cultures that normalize sin. Living this out in a secular society 1. Identify cultural customs that contradict Scripture - Entertainment promoting immorality (Ephesians 5:11) - Business ethics valuing profit above truth (Proverbs 11:1) - Sexual norms outside God’s design (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5) 2. Replace, don’t merely reject - Fill the mind with what is true, honorable, just, pure (Philippians 4:8) - Choose media, friendships, and environments that reinforce godliness. 3. Remember the purpose of distinction - God intends His people to shine as lights (Matthew 5:14-16) - Distinction showcases His character to a watching world. Guardrails for everyday decisions - Evaluate: “Would I adopt this custom if Jesus were visibly beside me?” - Submit habits to Scripture’s authority first, convenience second (2 Timothy 3:16-17). - Maintain accountability with believers who share the same standard (Hebrews 10:24-25). Strength found in Christ - Christ fulfilled the Law’s demands yet kept Himself “unstained by the world” (James 1:27). - Union with Him supplies both the motive and the power to resist conformity (Romans 12:2). Closing encouragement Holiness in a secular age is achievable when Leviticus 20:23 becomes a daily filter—testing customs, choosing obedience, and trusting that God’s way is always for our good and His glory. |
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