Change My Mind - Standing With Jesus in a Confusing Worldಮಾದರಿ

STANDING FIRM IN TRUTH: A RELATIONSHIP CHAT WITH CULTURE

How do we become the kind of followers of Jesus who can confidently face all the lies society throws at us and still say, "Lord, I won't turn from Your ways"? The truth is, before we can even think about addressing the world, we need to ensure our foundation is strong. We need to get God’s truth deeply rooted in our hearts.

Standing on truth isn’t easy. When the whole world is moving in the opposite direction, it takes guts to stay firm. So, how do we get strong enough to do that?

THE JOURNEY TO SPIRITUAL FITNESS

Let’s compare spiritual strength to physical fitness.

1. Level 1 Fitness Freaks
   This is most of us. We know where we want to go—we have a mental image of ourselves being stronger, healthier, or more capable. But we don’t really know how to get there. Most of the time, we get discouraged and end up back at McDonald’s, crying into a Big Mac.
2. Level 2 Fitness Freaks
   This is the next step. You know what’s good for you. You understand how often you need to work out, what foods are healthy, and how to hit your calorie goals. You’re aware of what helps you grow.
3. Level 3 Fitness Freaks
   This is the elite level, where my sister is. At this level, it’s not just about knowing what’s good for you; it’s about knowing what’s stopping you.
   • It’s not just about eating the right foods; it’s about knowing what foods to avoid.
   • It’s about weighing every meal down to the gram to ensure nothing throws off the plan.
   • It’s about understanding the cost of a “cheat day” and how it impacts your progress.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS: WHAT’S STOPPING YOU?

Many of us are Level 2 Christians.

We know where we want to go and what we need to do to get there.

We read our Bibles.

We pray once a day.

We attend Church and a small group.

We’re doing the right things—but here’s the hard truth:

Do we know what we should avoid?

Do we know what’s stopping us from growing?

Do we realize how much our “cheat days” with culture are costing us spiritually?

You can be working out spiritually—reading Scripture, praying, and serving—but if you’re constantly indulging in worldly culture (through shows, music, or conversations that pull you away from God), you’re undoing much of the progress you’re making.

TIME FOR A RELATIONSHIP CHAT WITH CULTURE

Let’s be honest: we need to sit down and have a serious conversation about our relationship with culture.

Culture isn’t neutral. It’s loud, persistent, and filled with lies that can subtly chip away at your faith. The truth is, you might be holding onto things in culture that are keeping you from fully walking in God’s truth.

Are you consuming media that normalizes sin?

Are you surrounding yourself with people or influences that encourage compromise?

Are you making excuses for “cheat days” with God’s standards?

THE COST OF COMPROMISE

When you compromise with culture, it’s like going to the gym but eating junk food every day. You’re undoing the hard work of growing closer to God. Jesus didn’t call us to flirt with the world’s standards—He called us to stand out.

Shining as a light means rejecting what dims that light. It means choosing God’s truth over cultural trends, no matter how unpopular it may be.

THE CHALLENGE: BECOME A LEVEL 3 CHRISTIAN

It’s time to go deeper. Move beyond knowing what’s good for you to understanding what’s stopping you. Identify the things in your life that hinder your spiritual growth, and remove them.

Take this moment to ask yourself:

What is God calling me to let go of?

What “cheat days” are costing me more than I realize?

Am I standing firm on truth, or am I letting culture shape my beliefs?

You were made to be a light in this world. Don’t let culture dim your flame. It’s time to get spiritually fit, stand on God’s truth, and be the kind of follower who shines brightly in a world desperately in need of hope. Let’s go!