Listen to the Word of God, Not the World

How much easier would it be to listen to everything the world tells us?

Life would be so much easier if we just went with the status quo, followed the societal norms, but that’s not what we’re called to do as children of God. We are called to a much more difficult way of life. We are called to walk on the narrow path. We are called to go against society if the culture is promoting ideas that go against our beliefs.

Jesus came to this world to teach us how we are called to live in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The entire Bible is pretty much our handbook in how we should strive to live our lives – loving one another, practicing the virtues, being charitable and generous, forgiving those who wrong us, and loving the Lord, our God, with all heart among so many other things.

But how many times do we feel pressured to conform out of fear that we won’t fit in with everyone else or that we’ll be cancelled?

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Both of these verses are powerful reminders that as children of God we are not called to conform to the world. We are called to have Christ living in each of us and allow Him to guide our actions and beliefs. Yes, at times it’s hard. Especially when many of us may have friends, family members, or coworkers that think differently. And it’s fine to have these people in your life. We are called to respect one another. However, strive to stand firm in what God has taught us even when you have voices everywhere telling you not to because your reward will be great in Heaven. As Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”