How Culture Effect our Life

Galatians 5:13-15

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

My pastor made a statement last week that went something like this: Our culture is always changing and we cannot allow it to control us as followers of Christ.  I’ve often heard and agree with so many who believe we who grew-up in the 40’s and 50’s have lived in the best of times, but we have seen many changes in our culture.

So as followers of Christ can we look back into our history and get a snapshot of how the culture has affected our freedom, and how the flesh, left to the cravings of the culture, will end in loss of peace and joy that we have in Christ.  I remember when television came into our home we watched the tube, and at first we talked about what we saw and heard, but it was not long until we stopped talking and had less time for conversation.  Today, our homes are much larger than the 900 sq. ft. where I grew-up, and we are more isolated from each other.  Many families no longer have meals together, those were always a very special time in our home, where we were reminded that all we had was a blessing from our Lord and we gave thanks to Him.

And in the early 1960’s, we began to control the size of our family with birth control.  We were sold a bill of goods that small families would give us more time and greater attention for our children.  It was a way to put self in control over God’s best; it is called independent living, and is one of the goals of the flesh.  At the point of entering into two major wars, many of our women entered the work force outside of the home.  As the men came back from those wars, many a woman stayed in the work force, it allowed for greater financial freedom, and yet it came with a down side; the husband was no longer the bread winner and lost the status of protector and provider.  We saw the increase of divorce, single parent mothers, with the child being raised by someone other that the parents. 

How has these cultural changes had an affect on the family and marriage, the following is from pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.? 

 Christian divorce rates have surpassed the general public! Christians have fallen for the culture’s mantra that personal fulfillment is more important than marriage vows.

 • “God wants me happy” has replaced “God wants me to be obedient and faithful to His Word”.

As a follower of Christ we must look not to the culture but to the Bible, for it is our handbook on living life on planet earth.  The culture is trying to mold you into living independently from the authority of the Bible, and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  If you are in Christ, look only to Him and His word for your direction.  “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice