We all live in a culture and those cultures vary based on the country, the location inside that country, the city and sometimes even the location in the city.
Definition of ‘culture’ (in relation to this article)
* a particular form or stage of civilization, as that of a certain nation or period:
*development or improvement of the mind by education or training.
*the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group
So what we see is that culture is formed by mindsets, behaviors, training/education etc of the people in a particular area. As we look back in history we see that culture changes and quite often it is because of a majority rule. Take for instance America, at one point the culture had a sense of morality such as adultery, pregnancy out of wedlock, abortion, homosexuality, nakedness/immodesty etc were looked down upon and not very well tolerated. Today the cultural mindset is that adultery is okay because divorce is no big deal, pregnancy out of wedlock and abortion is approved because feminism says it’s a woman’s body and she can do whatever she wants with it, homosexuality is being forced upon the entire society and nakedness/immodesty is rampant. (God’s Word explains what nakedness is.)
In this article we will discuss the arguments that people often use to avoid obedience to God’s word by saying ‘that was cultural’.
1. Sports. Many professed believers participate in or watch sports and defend it by saying ‘the sporting culture back in the Roman times was violent and murderous, we aren’t like that today.’ Sporting events today contain violence, blood, pride and glory of man, immodesty, built on alcohol and consumerism, lust to win, covetousness, rowdiness, carnality, greed, paganism, idolatry, etc need we say more? How does all that pass the Philippians 4:8 test? Whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtuous and have any praise, think upon these things? They say ‘well Paul references sports’.
1 Corinthians 9:24-26 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Do you notice verse 25 says they do it to obtain a corruptible crown? God’s people are to be concerned with being incorruptible. (See 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Peter 1:4, 1 Peter 1:23) Paul is showing the difference by explaining their dedication to the corrupt ways (sports) and how we should have that dedication to the incorruptible ways we are to follow through God’s Word. Paul’s reference to sports is descriptive (describing and using as an example) not prescriptive as prescribing us to do so. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (1 Timothy 4: 8) Sports should have no part in a believers life (neither should youth sports) and the cultural argument is not valid. See an article HERE on the NFL.
2. Media. (The main means of mass communication such as TV, newspapers, radio and internet.) We come across many professed believers who are heavily involved in the media and are not discerning enough to see the dangers of it and the caution that should be taken. We will break them down and show you.
Definition of ‘culture’ (in relation to this article)
* a particular form or stage of civilization, as that of a certain nation or period:
*development or improvement of the mind by education or training.
*the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group
So what we see is that culture is formed by mindsets, behaviors, training/education etc of the people in a particular area. As we look back in history we see that culture changes and quite often it is because of a majority rule. Take for instance America, at one point the culture had a sense of morality such as adultery, pregnancy out of wedlock, abortion, homosexuality, nakedness/immodesty etc were looked down upon and not very well tolerated. Today the cultural mindset is that adultery is okay because divorce is no big deal, pregnancy out of wedlock and abortion is approved because feminism says it’s a woman’s body and she can do whatever she wants with it, homosexuality is being forced upon the entire society and nakedness/immodesty is rampant. (God’s Word explains what nakedness is.)
In this article we will discuss the arguments that people often use to avoid obedience to God’s word by saying ‘that was cultural’.
1. Sports. Many professed believers participate in or watch sports and defend it by saying ‘the sporting culture back in the Roman times was violent and murderous, we aren’t like that today.’ Sporting events today contain violence, blood, pride and glory of man, immodesty, built on alcohol and consumerism, lust to win, covetousness, rowdiness, carnality, greed, paganism, idolatry, etc need we say more? How does all that pass the Philippians 4:8 test? Whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtuous and have any praise, think upon these things? They say ‘well Paul references sports’.
1 Corinthians 9:24-26 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Do you notice verse 25 says they do it to obtain a corruptible crown? God’s people are to be concerned with being incorruptible. (See 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Peter 1:4, 1 Peter 1:23) Paul is showing the difference by explaining their dedication to the corrupt ways (sports) and how we should have that dedication to the incorruptible ways we are to follow through God’s Word. Paul’s reference to sports is descriptive (describing and using as an example) not prescriptive as prescribing us to do so. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (1 Timothy 4: 8) Sports should have no part in a believers life (neither should youth sports) and the cultural argument is not valid. See an article HERE on the NFL.
2. Media. (The main means of mass communication such as TV, newspapers, radio and internet.) We come across many professed believers who are heavily involved in the media and are not discerning enough to see the dangers of it and the caution that should be taken. We will break them down and show you.
TV. Most say they use the TV to just watch the news or ‘educational’ (safe) programming. This is dangerous in that the news is filled with violence, gossip, lies, politics etc not to mention the immodest newscast and commercials. Safe/educational programming is questionable as the media on the TV is not produced by god fearing, biblical Christians but instead comes from the pagan/secular world and it’s views. TV contains virtually nothing that passes the Philippians 4:8 test. We have a detailed article that discusses whether or not a Christian should watch TV. Click HERE to read it.
Newspapers. Although newspapers are less visually vile than a television they are by no means pure. Caution should be used when reading them as they contain advertisements with biblical nakedness, ads to encourage covetousness, gossip sections, sports information, massive amounts descriptive heinous crimes being committed as well as continuous updates on politics and worldly news…most of which have no part of a believers life. Newspapers do not contain much that passes the Philippians 4:8 test.
Radio. Radios are not visually vile but they are by no means pure. A believer has to be very careful in listening to one because first of all, music should not be a part of a believers life. Singing songs from the heart is biblical, click HERE to read a detailed article on music. Radios also contain stations that do not have music but instead these can be very dangerous to a believers walk as they too contain gossip, profanity, descriptions of the heinous crimes being committed in the world, sports shows, political updates and programs and advertisements for worldly/carnal products. Radios can also become a substitute for the void left in a believers life after leaving the television behind and instead filling their days with the constant droning of the radio, not being discerning of what they are pumping into their minds hour after hour. Radios do not contain much that passes the Philippians 4:8 test.
Internet. The subject of the internet is an interesting one because it seems to be rejected by many professed believers as being vile yet they have TV’s, radios etc. The internet contains a mass amount of vileness and is by no means pure but if used with extreme caution, can be used for God’s glory. (At this point in society this is true, there may come a day when the vileness spills into every page of the net and Christians will need to withdraw and leave it to the world to whom it belongs.) It is possible to use the internet to the glory of God and have it pass the Philippians 4:8 test. Believers can maintain their own ministry or business websites, email other believers, and post biblical truth in a vile world without becoming spotted. This is a very narrow path though and believers should use it with extreme caution. Surfing the web randomly will open up a host of vileness into your view. God’s Word says to avoid all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5) and to set no vile thing before your eyes (Psalm 101:3) so let’s look at just a few places that believers go and think that it is pure etc.
*Youtube. Many professed believers go there for biblical teaching but we must warn you first off that there are a ton of unbiblical teachers most of which you find will be. Also as a person is watching a video, there are vile images on the recommended videos on the side bar and after the chosen video is done. But, youtube can be used as a platform to post the light of God’s Word in it and to call people out of it. If you have a youtube account and are making true biblical videos, you can go directly into the sign in of your page and not see any of the filth there. You can make a playlist to host on your own website or blog thereby allowing people to learn but not have vileness before them. Now in saying that, caution must be taken while watching what you think might be godly; lets use the example of street preaching videos. There are ton of street preaching videos on the internet and people love to watch them but are they honoring and glorifying to God? Most of the preaching is done in an unbiblical way and even if they are biblical the setting around them usually contains immodest people or profanity/vulgarity in the crowd around them. Oftentimes these such videos are used to satisfy the flesh in that they resemble reality shows, drama and physical confrontations from the crowds. Youtube can contain some video subjects that are good and pure but the people doing them can be immodest or insert vileness/profanity and many of them contain ungodly commercials. These such things have no part in the life of a Christian. Youtube can be a place to insert the life giving gospel and biblical truth but should then point people of of the vile place and into God’s Word.
Facebook. Facebook is like a conglomeration of TV, radio and newspaper in that it hosts, images, videos, audios and written words that all can be vile in many ways (see all the above depictions.) However facebook can be used to post God’s Word and by blocking peoples newsfeeds and not having friends or allowing comments or participation on your page you keep it clean. Beware also that by clicking on people’s profile page you know you are going to bring forth whatever vileness they have on their page…think about that as God’s Word says to avoid all appearance of evil and if you click and look, you are not avoiding all appearance of evil knowing that facebook users post much evil on their pages. We also have an article about Facebook, click HERE to read it.
Surfing the net for information. There are times when a believer might be looking up something biblical such as using an online bible. We caution you in that some of them host vile advertisements, please look for one that does not allow ads. If a believer has gotten rid of their TV, radio and newspapers they may choose to use the internet to find out what’s going on. There are some sites that claim to be of a Christian nature that do not allow most of the filth but we caution you not to be swept away in the ways and workings of the world, we do not belong to this world, nor do we need to know everything that is going on in it. We should be focusing what is going to further the kingdom of God.
3. Public Schools. Many professed believers send their precious children to public schools claiming that they need to know how to get along in this world/culture so they need to be exposed to it. God’s Word says to avoid all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5) so why would we expose our children to it?God’s Word teaches that the parents are responsible for the teaching and training of their children, see Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Ephesians 6:4, Titus 2:4-5. The public school system teaches an anti God curriculum of evolution and socialist mindsets, removes them from the protection of their homes and much more. Please read a detailed article HERE that exposes public school systems.
4. Seminary training. Many professed believers seem to think they need to go along with culture in obtaining a degree (in this case a biblical degree) to gain the respect of others before they can preach the Word. This mindset goes against God’s Word: But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15)
Also, who is teaching at these seminaries? People who do not exhibit the fruit of being repentant/born again believers striving in obedience as those places are filled with sin and unbiblical teachings. We have a full article here seminary training, click HERE to read it. Seminaries have no place in the life of a follower of Christ.
5. Building Centered Faith. Many professed believers claim that because the New Testament church could not build buildings (what they wrongfully call the church) because of persecution and because culture allows it today; they should erect them and gather in them. We have a full article on building centered faith, click HERE to read it.
6. Headcovering. Many professed believers us the excuse that headcoverings were for the Corinthians culture, not for today. We have an article HERE that goes into great detail to expose this faulty mindset and shows that the sin of feminism has influenced culture.
7. Dress. Many professed believers say that because of the culture, women can wear whatever the culture deems ‘modest’ therefore we see women dressed today that God’s Word refers to as the ‘attire of a harlot’. (See Proverbs 7:10) The sin of feminism has created that unbiblical mindset. If we look at the word modest, it is not what we describe it as today in fact God’s Word has instructions for what women are to be wearing. We have a very detailed article HERE that exposes that unbiblical mindset.
8. Women teaching in the body. Many professed believers claim that because culture today allows women to be leaders and historical culture shows that women were oppressed, that they should be able to exercise freedom to be teachers. The sin of feminism has created that unbiblical mindset. God’s Word exposes that faulty mindset in 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 14 where it teaches women to be silent in the body and not usurp the authority of men. Read a detailed article HERE about women preachers and HERE about women being silent in the body.
9. Submission of women to husbands. Many professed believers claim that because the culture today has freed women to rise up in all areas that they are not to submit to their husbands. The sin of feminism has created that unbiblical mindset. Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3 prove otherwise. Read an article HERE on submission.
10. Women in the home. Many professed believers claim that because of the cultural freedom of women today, that they are not fully responsible for their homes and the management of them. The sin of feminism has created that unbiblical mindset. Titus 2:5 says otherwise. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Keepers means a guard, stayer at home, domestically inclined. This command is given to women, not men. Read a detailed article HERE.
11. Music. Many professed believers claim that because the culture in the Old Testament allowed for musical instruments and that today’s culture is filled with music that it’s okay for believers. God’s Word shows us in Ephesians 5 that the instrument we are to use today is the heart. Read a detailed article HERE.
12. Becoming all things to all people. Many professed believers participate in worldly activities of the culture saying they are ‘doing so in order to reach their friends and that Paul became all things to all people in order to reach them’. In this case culture does play a small part. Paul is referring to being like a Jew when with the Jews for example: even though the law of not eating pork has been abolished, Paul would have abstained from eating it while with the Jews who didn’t. If Paul were with Gentiles that did eat pork, he would eat it with them. An example for today: If a believer were invited to the home of an unbeliever to share the gospel and the believer noticed that all the occupants of the house took off their shoes upon entering the home, he might also remove his. When a believer witnesses to the Amish, they may accustom their speech pattern to reference that which the Amish might relate to. Becoming all things to all people can refer to food, mannerisms, speech etc but not sinful activities.
We encourage those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ to forsake the mindset that culture can dictate our actions. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4) We are not to live by the culture we are to live by God’s Word.
Click HERE to learn the gospel good news and how to gain eternal life.
God be praised.
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