Hope Road

Question the Culture

Welcome to the fourth entry in the Soul Sisters series! Click here for the introduction to the series.

Today’s truth:
The standards of this culture are selling you short. Question them; don’t accept them blindly.

In the wake of the 1960s cultural upheaval, new cultural norms are everywhere. Sometimes, as young women especially, we’re affected by norms that we didn’t have a part in starting. And some things that the culture says are “normal” can really be incredibly harmful. Every culture is sinful and in need of redemption, but every generation presents its own unique challenges.

Think about what it means to go through even just the teenage years without questioning cultural standards. There are very few natural, well-known protective boundaries in place anymore. Questioning the status quo can be social suicide. But now the status quo often means promiscuity, underage drinking, and many other harmful behaviors.

Then we get to the college years. What does “normal” look like? Normal looks like partying, immodesty, lots of drinking, and very little studying, especially in the early years of college.

The amazing thing is that not everyone really wants to participate in these behaviors, but it’s the social norm, so many do it anyway. I encourage you to pursue the freedom of seeking biblical norms instead of social norms. Perhaps the two won’t always be so different, but many times they will, and this can be difficult. But in the end, it is incredibly freeing.

So think about it. Hold it up to the light of Scripture. Analyze it. Don’t just accept it.

2 Comments to Question the Culture

Susanna Rose
March 11, 2008

“The amazing thing is that not everyone really wants to participate in these behaviors, but it’s the social norm, so many do it anyway.”

Awesome thoughts…I ALWAYS draw so much from your wisdom and insights! In college, etc, I definitely was simply not interested in getting involved in the depraved behavior many others were indulging in. Not because I was somehow so strong on my own but because I had a hand full of strong Christian friends as well as godly family members who encouraged me in my walk. This didn’t mean I didn’t have unbelieving friends as well but with the strength I drew from those who believed, it made not compromising a lot easier.

As my mom always says, I think the Christian life is all about looking to the big picture-to eternity-and realizing that nothing on this earth and none of the vain pleasures of the moment can hold a candle to being face to face with Christ and free of sin. Not an easy thing to remember but it sure helps in the midst of temptation, etc.

Emily (Unfurling Flower)
March 13, 2008

Brilliant reminder, Anna. We must never assume the cultural norms to be right; we must always go back to Scripture and find out what God says is right. Our standards must always come from God and His Word.

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