Answers
By BGEA Staff • February 5, 2024 • Topics: Culture
Q:
I’m a student of psychology and know that social norms generally speak of people who tend to conform to behaviors that are common among other people. We’re generally drawn to “our own kind.” As Christians, shouldn’t we draw others to our way of believing rather than be drawn to what is considered the socially accepted groups?
A:
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Christians are not to be conformed to this world in the way we think. The world by its advertisements, its conversation, and its philosophy is engaged in a gigantic brainwashing. Not always consciously but sometimes unconsciously, the Christian is beset by secular and worldly propaganda, calling us to live for ourselves and to put things and selfish pleasures ahead of God. The world’s system threatens to contaminate the stream of Christian thought, but the Bible says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8, NKJV).
Above the din we can hear the voice of Scripture: “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, NKJV).
Think about the time we spend reading the Bible and praying, and compare it to the time spent watching television or surfing the internet. Does God get His rightful share of our time and attention? Is the world shaping our mind—or is Christ? The Bible says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5, NKJV). The mind of the believer is a battleground. Every thought must either honor Christ or be taken captive until it does (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
