Raised by Society!

The Question We Must Ask

In today's world, we find ourselves constantly shaped and influenced by the society around us. From the moment we are born, we are bombarded with messages about who we should be, what we should value, and how we should live. Television, social media, educational systems, and even our peers all contribute to moulding our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours. But as Christians, we must ask ourselves a critical question: Are we being raised by society, or are we being raised by God?

The Call to Transformation

The Bible makes it clear that we are not to conform to the patterns of this world. The Apostle Paul writes, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2, KJV). This verse is a powerful reminder that our transformation should not come from the world's standards, but from a renewed mind anchored in God's Word.

Society's Values vs. God's Truth

Society today promotes values that often stand in direct opposition to biblical truth. We are told to prioritise material success, personal pleasure, and self-promotion. The world says, "Look out for number one," "Do what makes you happy," and "You deserve it." Yet Scripture teaches us a different way: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Philippians 2:3, KJV).

Adopting the World's Mindset

When we allow society to raise us, we adopt its morals, its priorities, and its mindset. We begin to measure success by wealth, status, and popularity rather than by faithfulness to God. We chase after temporal pleasures instead of eternal treasures. Jesus warned us about this very danger: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:19-21, KJV).

The Normalisation of Sin

One of the most insidious ways society raises us is through the normalisation of sin. What was once considered shameful is now celebrated. What was once hidden in darkness is now paraded in broad daylight. The Bible speaks directly to this: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20, KJV). We live in a generation where right and wrong are increasingly blurred, and moral relativism has replaced absolute truth.

Called to Be Set Apart

As believers, we must resist the pressure to blend in with the world. We are called to be set apart, to be holy as God is holy. "Wherefore come out from amongst them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:17, KJV). This separation is not about isolation, but about distinction. We are in the world, but we are not of the world (John 17:14-16, KJV).

Raising the Next Generation

The influence of society is particularly strong amongst the younger generation. Children and young people are growing up in an age where technology dominates, where social media shapes identity, and where influencers hold more sway than parents or pastors. Proverbs 22:6 (KJV). instructs us, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it". This training must be intentional, deliberate, and rooted in Scripture. If we do not raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, society will gladly step in and raise them according to its own agenda.

The Company We Keep

Furthermore, the Bible warns us about the company we keep. "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Corinthians 15:33, KJV). The people we surround ourselves with, the content we consume, and the voices we listen to all have a profound impact on our spiritual health. If we are constantly immersed in worldly thinking, it will inevitably seep into our hearts and minds.

How to Resist: Saturate Yourself in God's Word

So how do we resist being raised by society?

First, we must saturate ourselves in God's Word. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11, KJV). The Bible is our guide, our compass, and our foundation. It teaches us how to think, how to live, and how to discern truth from error. When we know the Word, we are equipped to recognise and reject the lies of the world.

Second, we must cultivate a life of prayer. Prayer keeps us connected to God, sensitive to His voice, and aligned with His will. Jesus Himself modelled this for us, often withdrawing to pray (Luke 5:16, KJV). If the Son of God needed to pray, how much more do we?

Third, we must actively renew our minds. This means being selective about what we watch, read, and listen to. It means guarding our hearts and our thoughts. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8, KJV).

Fourth, we must surround ourselves with fellow believers who will encourage us in the faith. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17, KJV). The church is not just a building we visit on Sundays; it is a community of believers who walk together, grow together, and hold each other accountable.

We Are Ambassadors for Christ

Finally, we must remember that we are ambassadors for Christ. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20, KJV). Our lives should reflect the values of the Kingdom of God, not the values of a fallen world. We are called to be light in the darkness, salt in a decaying culture.

The Choice Is Ours

Being raised by society is a real and present danger for every believer. The world seeks to shape us in its image, but God calls us to be transformed into the image of His Son. We must choose daily whom we will serve and whose voice we will heed. Will we conform to the world, or will we be transformed by the renewing of our minds? The choice is ours, but the stakes are eternal. Let us resolve to be raised not by society, but by the living God, grounded in His Word, empowered by His Spirit, and committed to His purposes…

Key Takeaways:

• We must choose our influence - Either we are shaped by society or transformed by God's Word (Romans 12:2 KJV)
• Society's values oppose God's truth - The world promotes self-focus and pleasure, whilst Scripture teaches humility and serving others (Philippians 2:3 KJV)
• Treasure placement reveals heart condition - Where we invest our time and energy shows what truly matters to us (Matthew 6:19-21 KJV)
• Sin has been normalised - What was once shameful is now celebrated; we must recognise evil for what it is (Isaiah 5:20 KJV)
• Believers are called to be set apart - We are to be holy and distinct from the world, not isolated but different (2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV)
• Intentional parenting is essential - If we don't raise children in God's ways, society will raise them according to its agenda (Proverbs 22:6 KJV)
• Guard what influences you - The company we keep and content we consume directly impacts our spiritual health (1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV)
• Saturate yourself in Scripture - God's Word is our foundation for discerning truth from error (Psalm 119:11 KJV)
• Prayer keeps us connected - Regular communication with God aligns us with His will and voice (Luke 5:16 KJV)
• We are ambassadors for Christ - Our lives should reflect Kingdom values, not worldly values (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV)