What other scriptures caution against conforming to worldly ways like Psalm 106:35? Psalm 106:35 Recap “But they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.” Parallel Warnings Across Scripture • Exodus 23:2 — “You shall not follow a crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.” • Leviticus 20:23 — “You must not follow the practices of the nations I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.” • Deuteronomy 7:2-4 — “Do not intermarry with them… For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods.” • 1 Samuel 8:19-20 — “No!… We must have a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations.” • 2 Kings 17:15 — “They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves, following the nations around them…” • Psalm 1:1-2 — “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked… but his delight is in the Law of the LORD.” • Proverbs 1:10, 15 — “My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield… do not walk the path with them.” • Isaiah 8:11 — “Do not walk in the way of this people.” • Jeremiah 10:2 — “Do not learn the way of the nations.” • Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” • 1 Corinthians 15:33 — “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” • 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 — “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers… ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord.” • Galatians 1:4 — “[Christ]… rescued us from the present evil age.” • Ephesians 5:11 — “Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” • Colossians 2:8 — “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception… according to the basic principles of the world.” • James 4:4 — “Friendship with the world is hostility toward God.” • 1 Peter 1:14-16 — “As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance… ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” • 1 John 2:15-17 — “Do not love the world or anything in the world… The world is passing away… but whoever does the will of God remains forever.” Themes the Spirit Underscores • Association shapes character: who we mingle with influences what we worship. • Worldly customs are alluring but ultimately hostile toward God. • Holiness involves separation from corrupt patterns and devotion to God’s pattern. • The call is proactive: flee compromise, pursue transformation. Practical Takeaways for Everyday Life • Guard inputs — books, shows, friendships, and online spaces that normalize sin. • Measure every trend by Scripture before adopting it. • Seek fellowship that sharpens holiness rather than dulls conviction. • Pursue daily mind-renewal in the Word; it fortifies resistance to cultural pressure. • Remember the long view: the world and its desires are fading, but obedience stores up eternal reward. |
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