Luke 16:15 (KJV)
“…for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”
Luke 16:15 (NIV)
“What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”
If you are a Christian, you most likely believe this Bible verse. That is why I want to share my thoughts on it.
Many of us believe this scripture, but when it comes to its practical application, we often fall short. Today, we are easily carried away by everything the world throws at us—and there are many of such things. Among them are hidden forms of idolatry—subtle attachments, habits, or priorities that take the place of God in our hearts without us even realizing it. I will only mention a few.
The world places more value on position than on the life a person lives. Once someone attains a high position, they are suddenly regarded as a person of “value.” Their lifestyle becomes something others want to copy. This is why many people today dress, talk, and behave like footballers and music stars.
Sadly, the church has copied the same system and is now busy making excuses for it. Bible passages are searched for and twisted to justify behaviors that were never part of the Christian faith.
Let me ask a simple question:
How did men wearing earrings, plaiting hair, and keeping dreadlocks enter the church?
These things were not part of Christian practice before, yet today we embrace them because we want to fit into the world’s system. Instead of setting standards for the world, the church is now following the world’s standards. This is a form of idolatry to avoid, as it places worldly approval above God’s truth and guidance.
Look at many musicians in churches today, especially instrumentalists. Many of them deliberately want to look like secular musicians or football stars. They want to blend in—and that is very sad.
Today, clothes that should only be worn at parties are now worn to church. Ladies dress in ways that reveal their body shapes. Some deliberately wear very tight clothes to flaunt what they have.
How did we get here?
As a man, I remember sitting behind one such lady in church and having to change my seat because I knew I would not be able to concentrate.
A so-called “spiritual” brother may say it is my fault and not the lady’s fault. Others say my heart is polluted, and that is why I could not stay. But these are some of the very things bringing pollution into the church today, yet we keep finding reasons to justify them.
Many people quietly blend in with the world because they do not recognize this form of idolatry.
Another serious issue that heaven may be frowning at is the celebration of certain days.
Some Christians believe Jesus was born on the 25th of December, which is not true. Many of these celebration days originally existed to honor idols. The same manner of celebration used to honor those idols is still being practiced today.
If God wanted us to celebrate Christmas or any other similar celebrations, He would have clearly stated it in the Bible. God intentionally hid the date of Jesus’ birth so that we would not idolize it—yet many have done exactly that.
Some churches even place Christmas trees on the altar. Of what spiritual value is that to the Christian faith? Do we truly know the origin of the Christmas tree?
Are we not participating in idolatry when we do what we cannot biblically defend?
Some people use Jesus as a tool to meet their needs, not realizing that this is another form of idolatry.
Christians may give the Christmas tree a “Christian name” to feel comfortable, but renaming something does not change its origin.
May God help us to shine the light of the gospel correctly to the world and not allow ourselves to be contaminated by the world, in Jesus’ name.
Let us be careful about the things the world chases after, because many of them are an abomination before God.
If this message has spoken to you, here are some related teachings that will help you understand Blending In with the World more deeply:
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