christforspain

Are you walking with God or are you just fitting in?

These are two serious questions we should be asking ourselves, if we are born again Christians. Are our lives representing Christ in us, and are the decisions we make what Christ would want, or what we want? Too often, we compromise because it’s easier, or we do things to people-please?

Maybe, you go to church once or twice a week and even read your Bible, but what do you do the rest of the time? How do you dress? How do you talk? How are you spending your free time? What happens when there’s a local party or celebration? Halloween parties at school or with friends? What about exercise? Are you joining a local gym and participating in yoga classes?

I know this seems a lot of questions, but let’s continue.

What does your house represent? Does it have strange objects like dream catchers, crystals, a Virgin Mary, Jesus on the cross, or a Buddha figure? Have you decorated it following a Zen design?

So, let’s start to break it down into sections and get a clearer understanding of what we may or may not be doing.

I’m going to start with the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:24–30 Jesus said:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.”

When the wheat began to grow, the servants discovered that weeds had grown among it. They asked the owner whether they should pull them up.

But the owner said:

“No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.”

At harvest time, the wheat would be gathered into the barn, while the tares would be separated and burned.

Clearly, we can see in this parable that the church, like the world, has many tares in it who act as though they are Christians too. They participate in church events, pray, sing, help, etc., but they’ve never been truly born again. Just as wheat grows in the field, these tares or weeds grow among the crop, and it’s hard to see the difference until harvest time. The wheat will bow at the top, while the tares will stay upright. This is also an image of God’s people being humble to Him, and the self-righteous and proud, so-called Christians with their heads up, with a “look at me and all that I am doing” approach.

In the average church today, many, if not the majority, are participating in worldly things listed above and dressing inappropriately, both at church and when going out. We need to remember that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Provocative styles shouldn’t be what we are choosing. Modesty is far more attractive and pleasing to God. Short skirts, tight leggings and revealing cleavage are not what we Christian women should be wearing.

Even when we go out, we should consider our wardrobe choices and select carefully. After all, why do we need to call attention to our bodies for others to admire? Our bodies are for our spouses, not for the general public. These days, it’s even more advisable to cover up more, as there are more cultures with their ideas of women, somewhat different from ours.

Don’t just dress to fit in; dress to please God and to represent Christ who lives in us. We are the salt — Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth.” Now, knowing that, let’s act like that and not be like the world in how they dress, talk, act, etc. We are to reflect God and be an example.

If you are participating in yoga, have a Buddha in your home or patio, a dream catcher hanging in a window, or some crystals as decoration, know that these are New Age and the opposite spirit. The same can be said of yin and yang and the Zen method of decoration. Most of these things come from ancient Chinese and Indian origins and have deep roots in other religions and spirits, which are not healthy for us. Exodus 20:3–5: “You shall have no other gods before me.”

Even if it might seem innocent to practise or have any of these things, it is not, and we should clean our homes of them. Don’t give Satan an opening to get in. Ephesians 4:27: “And do not give the devil a foothold.”

How about Easter processions, communions, rocíos, saints that your name is chosen from? All of these involve participating in idolatry and go against God’s Word. Anything where the Virgin is worshipped or followed is idolatrous.

Deuteronomy 5:7–9: “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.”

The Catholic cross has Jesus on it, but our cross doesn’t, as He rose again and therefore is no longer on the cross but sitting at the right hand of God. Check any crosses in your home.

Maybe it’s time for a clear-out in your house. Ask God to show you what isn’t pleasing to Him in your home or your lifestyle. Stop trying to fit in and start to live like Christ wants us to live. Going against the grain isn’t easy. It’s always easier to do what everyone else around us is doing, but is that what God wants? Ask yourself sincerely.

As a concluding thought; do you want to be like the wheat or a tare? Are you full of self-righteousness and pride or are you humble and serving, and listening to God? Are you truly following God or are you like those that don’t know Him? God wants you to stand out, to shine and be a light to those around us. Stop acting like the world as it says in Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world… Instead, allow God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to transform you.

As a concluding thought, do you want to be like the wheat or a tare? Are you full of self-righteousness and pride, or are you humble, serving and listening to God? Are you truly following God, or are you like those who don’t know Him? God wants you to stand out, to shine and be a light to those around you. Stop acting like the world, as it says in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world…” Instead, allow God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to transform you.

Scriptures used in order in the text

Matthew 5:13

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

Exodus 20:3–5

You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…

Ephesians 4:27 do not give the devil a foothold.

Deuteronomy 5:7–9

You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God…

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.