Joshua Ofosu Anim Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? I will say that non christians of our age have polluted their mindset with wrong information and deceit. They simply refuse to believe the truth. Evil is easily accepted as good whiles good is rather described as evil. The Bibles says the God of this world has blinded them through evil pleasures and lusts. We are tempted to conform to their values perhaps because we are attracted and desire to be like them. Those who refuse to conform are branded as ancient outdated and primitive. In other not to be described as such some christians try to conform to wordly values. NO MATTER HOW ATTRACTIVE, PLEASANT AND NICE WORDLY VALUES MAY SEEM IT CANNOT BE COMPARED WITH CHRISTIANITY AND ITS VALUES. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelOnLine Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? They have turned away from God. Their hearts are hardened so they are not interested in hearing the Word of God. Why are we tempted to conform to its values? Everyone wants to be accepted by their peers. We tend to listen to Satan and follow the crowd because we don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meandean Posted July 8, 2007 Report Share Posted July 8, 2007 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? tolerance. nobody wants to step on toes and get uncomfortable in the truth. it's more like here's a little truth but instead of it changing us, let's change it to conform to our lives. that way noone will be offended and we can all go singing tra-la-la. why we are so tempted is we still have to work on our thinking and our attitudes toward everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meandean Posted July 8, 2007 Report Share Posted July 8, 2007 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? tolerance. nobody wants to step on toes and get uncomfortable in the truth. it's more like here's a little truth but instead of it changing us, let's change it to conform to our lives. that way noone will be offended and we can all go singing tra-la-la. why we are so tempted is we still have to work on our thinking and our attitudes toward everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 In this post-modern time, people are living out their lives with darkened and deadened understanding of truth and reality. Their thoughts and ways of thinking are ignorant, empty, without meaningful purpose or value, leading to no good end. They have rejected true life in God and accepted death in self-edification and self-dependance. There truly is a calloused hardness of heart throughout our culture that cares nothing about God or others. Every kind of impurity is flaunted before us with the expectation that no one should be able to object. The overall mindset today has become the diametric opposite of the holiness of the LORD. From my personal experience and observations, I think Christians are tempted to conform for reasons including: 1) We continue to battle our old sin nature. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way. [isa 53:6(a)] It is part of our old nature for our hearts to wander from God, and Christians continue to battle this tendency. We are naturally greedy, perverted in our thinking, selfish, and prideful. Given the "right" circumstances, any of us is capable of doing any horrible thing we see on the evening news apart from the grace of God. 2) We are ignorant of God's Word. (Eph.4:18) Faith in the Word comes through exposure to the Word. Most Christians are not appropriately committed to regular study and meditation, self included. We're woefully lacking in knowledge, and therefore understanding of what God hates, how we can avoid it, and how we should stand against it. That living and active Sword that divides truth from lies cannot do its job unless it is employed. Apart from it, we don't even recognize the ways we compromise God's holiness. Apart from it, our faith is weak and fear overwhelms. 3) We ourselves are not fully committed to the principles of Christlikeness. We're unwilling to give up personal preferences and desires, unwilling to sacrifice our comfort, unwilling to give up control to the Holy Spirit. Holiness is uncomfortable to our old nature, and we resist that painfully brilliant and purifying light. 4) We grow weary in the fight. In our day, the assault is relentless and fierce. The enemy has temporarily gained tremendous ground and grown in strength. Almost every day, I get an email notice of some new danger, some heinous legal challenge, some public breach of trust, some perverse immoral threat to families and/or children, etc.etc.etc. to which Christians are asked to respond. It is exhausting and numbing to the mind and spirit! But we simply cannot keep our heads in the sand, which is largely the reason things are so bad today. Our call from Christ to be salt and light [Matt.5:13-16] has no retirement clause. May we lean on His Word and release ourselves to Him more fully. Psalm 46:1, 10-11 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah. 2Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beadie Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 The mindset of the non-Christian Secular world of today is egocentric. Please yourself, if it feels good do it. There is no concern for consequences except possibly to oneself, but certainly not to others. Live for today for tomorrow may never come. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the tangible here and now that they lose sight of the intangible, spiritual later, that nothing matters but our own greedy wants now. Because of the shrinking world due to communication and internet and other modern conveniences, instant gratification is the goal. Patience is a virtue no longer valued. Everything is me, me and me. “If I don’t take care of myself, no one else will.” That is today’s justification. Unfortunately, too often in this world, it is true. Other Christians may care about you, but not the secular society. It is so easy to justify our actions based on social acceptance or the letter of the law. "We are not hurting anyone" (at least so it seems) is our byword. Feeling good is our goal, but we lost the idea in the translation that we are supposed to feel good ABOUT OURSELVES and living the sensual life does not normally acheive this goal. We need a spiritual feel good, not a sensual one. Just because everyone does it and it is "socially acceptable, doesn't make it OK with God. Also, to try to battle these temptations when it is an upstream fight can be tiresome and we weary easily. We must be committed to winning the battle and constantly pray fo the Holy Spirit's strength to discern God's way and follow that path or the devil will win as we succumb to the temporal, feel good life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edler Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? To me the way we brith again christians live,we act as if we have been safe all our live and did no wrong. some go tonight glub were blue ,rap, r&b is on going. and playing the field on wife and girlfriend, and drank act fool. So the Non - Christian see all this in this age. And some of the believe is in acconrding to tha prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience not born again in Jesus Christ . So it is so easy to be tempted to conform back to old way. because if you have taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that truteth in him. (Psalm:43:v 8). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? They believe they are enlightened, more intelligent and more "spiritual" than Christians, ie: the liberal mindset and agenda, which is to force those with more to give to those who are lazy and won't work. They live with a double standard...one for them, "anything goes", and a harsh judgmental criticism of those who don't follow their "standards"...tearing down and ridiculing them. Biblical values & sexual purity have no meaning for them, having been replaced by their god and religion which is idolatry of self, power, status, arrogance, greed. There is a form of godliness based on deception and darkened minds which excludes the one true God and Savior. Why are we tempted to conform to its values? Some may try to conform to avoid the vicious attacks and ridicule, or to "fit in", because of ignorance of scripture and the call on their lives. Failure to surrender to the Lordship of Christ may lead to "one foot in the kingdom and the other in the world", pandering to the flesh instead of yielding to the Holy Spirit. Sadly, preaching in many churches has become a "social gospel", which validates much of what the world believes and lives out, so as to not step on any toes, and lose any who may contribute financially to the church. The lines have become blurred or fuzzy, the conscience seared by false teaching. Sin, humility, repentance, the Blood of Jesus, are repugnant to many, so preachers avoid teaching the very things which will bring about revival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? We live in a world of selfishness. The secular world is only after the instant gratification of their desires, and has no consideration for other people. Mention the name of Jesus and you see their reaction; totally alienated. They all seem to be enjoying themselves, when in reality they are all seeking. Nothing seems to satisfy them. It is only when we get them to see through this facade that they realise that Jesus is the only answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgentile Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? The non-christian of this age does not know or will not accept the light of Jesus. The world is all he knows which makes it easy for him to conform to it. My question is, why does a Christian who knows the light comprise himself and conform to this world knowing it goes against God? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poetmom Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 I am honestly frightened by how this question has caused some people to launch into seething political tirades that really have nothing to do with following Christ but serve to polarize. In the spirit of the unity of believers, let us please not forget that not all Christ followers are political (or at least fiscal) conservatives! The secular point of view is about the self, whether that be pleasing the self with sex, self-righteousness, or selfishness with our money. It is easy to be swept away by the values we see on TV. One solution is to turn off the TV! I think many people, including Christians, think they are helpless victims to the media. Turn off the TV or trash it if that is too hard--read the Bible or other thought-provoking books, take a walk and enjoy God's creation, write poetry or make music to God with an instrument, serve others. Instead of bemoaning that the Ten Commandments aren't hanging in our schools, go out and be Christ's love to others. Be the living Word to people who need it most--that is what changes the heart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifee Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 11a)Society today is generally self seeking,controlled more by inner desires, sexual, material wealth rather than putting God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLL Posted July 28, 2010 Report Share Posted July 28, 2010 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? Everything that they do is disgracing our Lord Jesus Christ and all for self not worrying about anyone or anything but self. Because it seems to be the easy way out sometimes and is mostly what is advertised around us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyP Posted December 12, 2010 Report Share Posted December 12, 2010 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? 1. How would you describe the secular Non-Chrisitn mindset of our age? The non-christian minset of our age is the right now mind set. They are conformed and is of the world; the worldly thngs are what they look forward too. They do not know the light of the world. The people parish for the lack of knowledge and we are told this in Esphesian. They are living in darkness. 2. Why are we tempted to conform to its values? We are tempted because this is where we came from and we want to still be connected to our so call friends that are still in this secular of the world. We don't want to be talked about and left out of what we think is good because we can see it wht we think is good right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jubilee Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, I would describe the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age as rebellious. We no longer have respect for the things of God. The fear of God is no longer in us. Things that were regarded as sin are now accepted as the norm of life. It appears evil have blinded people's eyes and hearts are lukewarm. We are tempted to conform to its values because it is the easy road to take, with no rules, no accountability, and no responsibility towards anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jubilee Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, I would describe the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age as rebellious. We no longer have respect for the things of God. The fear of god is no longer in our hearts. Things that we regarded as sin are now accepted as the norm of life. It appears evil has blinded people's eyes and hearts are lukewarm. We are tempted to conform to its values because it is the easy road to take, with no rules, no accountability, and no responsibility towards anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted August 6, 2012 Report Share Posted August 6, 2012 I would describe the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age as one that if it feels ok then it ok to do it. They are under the belief that there are no absolutes and if they are a Christian they don’t need to go to church. We are tempted to conform to its values because that is what is happening and we don’t see that it is hurting them. It is that feel good feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthouse2014 Posted April 8, 2014 Report Share Posted April 8, 2014 Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? The secular non christian mindset of this age using Eph. 4:17-19, is that they have indeed resisted the word of God. Being offended by religious displays (ex. ten commandments) in public places, in government facilities, in schools and their text, in dress or any displays Christ, because they have been hardened in their heart not to believe the word of God. To them being brought up in the evolution theory, there is not life after death. Fun, relaxation, money, wealth and many other futile things are the norm for the present day fame. Movies, games, *********** and many sexual explicit commercials on tv have infiltrated into society so deeply that everyone seems to be brain washed. This is exactly how Satan has planned his attack on Christ and his Church. Knowing his time is short, he has caused everyone to reject Christianity and instead is replacing it with the belief of Islam. Society will tear down anything related to Christianity and will not as much touch on the subject of other false beliefs. What more proof do we need that Christ is the true Son of God, when Christianity is attacked so vehemently. Truly persecution has become so intense, we as followers of Christ need to share His Gospel to the world and save as many as possible from eternal damnation. We are so tempted to conform and live as the non believers do, because it would seem normal to live as they do. They reject all that belongs to Christ and if we live a righteous life we are considered religious freaks, not being normal in the worldly life as others are. It is truly a tug of war between living a righteous life or being filled with greed and self gratification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanG Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I feel that the non-Christian mindset is based on the fact that there is a major decrease in families going to church together. Kids are often split between parents on the weekends and never consistently go to the same church. Parent's also do not feel that a formal religion fits into their lives anymore. There are also too many scandals that plague all religions these days. The leadership seems to have lost their ways and this tends to cause people to not trust them or what they say anymore. At times I find myself shying away from the church when certain people are "on the pulpit". It would be easier to just give up and let things just happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen11 Posted November 27, 2017 Report Share Posted November 27, 2017 On 9/4/2006 at 8:57 AM, Pastor Ralph said: Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? The mind set is that they don't believe there is a God and if the do think there is a God they don't care, there hearts are all about if it makes you happy do it, self centered think the way I think or they don't like you. They way of the world, they want to feel excepted by the majority, they see it everywhere TV, School, News,. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maleshoane Posted March 5, 2022 Report Share Posted March 5, 2022 The Secular, non-christian mindset of our age is, they do as they please, without considering God in their lives. They think that they know best and regard not God. They live in fornication and adultery to satisfy their flesh, they **** for everything. We are tempted to confirm to it's values because sometimes we are not rooted into Christ, they are our family, neighbors, friends sometimes and we want to belong to the society despising to be different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bro Keith Posted March 5, 2022 Report Share Posted March 5, 2022 Wow…with freedom comes responsibility. If we know Christ, we should know why we should be growing toward his likeness. We are aware of the evil around us. It’s in unrestricted freedom. A parodox? We were once just like them! 1 Peter 2:9. We have to be careful that we do not judge, and become like the Pharisees, acquiring a false sense of comfort that WE are “saved”… therefore becoming ineffective in our desire to carry the gospel to the lost, a simple message that Christ took our sin to the grave and left it there…so can we by believing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted March 6, 2022 Report Share Posted March 6, 2022 Q42. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? We live in a world of selfishness. The secular world is only after the instant gratification of their desires, and has no consideration for other people. Mention the name of Jesus and you see their reaction; totally alienated. They all seem to be enjoying themselves, when in reality they are all seeking. Nothing seems to satisfy them. It is only when we get them to see through this facade that they realise that Jesus is the only answer. We are tempted because of our sinful nature. That is the desires of the flesh described in Gal 5:19-21: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like”. If we try to overcome the flesh on our own, we will fail. We need to live each day controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianca Posted March 13, 2022 Report Share Posted March 13, 2022 People's hearts have hardened to the truth. Society wants so badly to do things their own way by their own rules and want to ignore their creator. They are not using discernment. Some people do not even truly realize they are hearing from the devil and think that it is ok to do this or do that. Their just walking around saying this is the way I feel or want my life to be. It's my life. Which is wrong, but that's the way the world thinks. We are tempted to conform to their values because of every human need to want to be accepted. Also, even though we are save sometimes things can get hard during the Christian walk and it can be tempting for some to go back to the old ways. Though in their heart they may know it's not right. That's why we have to stay in God's word and also constant communication with the Lord. We can't ignore that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krissi Posted March 19, 2022 Report Share Posted March 19, 2022 This question hits a very raw nerve so I’m going to answer it honestly, but hopefully with tact. Life’s narrative has been flipped on Christians. We may think their life is a lesser, poorer, emptier life than the one we’re living, and this may be true, but they look at us and see a lesser, poorer and emptier life than their own. So what are we doing as a church that appeals to some deep need or desire they have? Unless the teachings about the body of Christ on earth are visible to outsiders, there is nothing we have they want. This is how they see themselves: they have “high culture” – the arts, music, architecture, theater, etc. they have cornered the life of the mind -- the academy and intellectual prowess they rule the economy -- wealth, the “finest” of material things they have power – the media, government, industries, international affairs they have fun – sexual promiscuity, drunkenness/drugs, great parties, travel, etc. So, what do we offer that’s better than this … in their mind? This is a serious question. A person who is intelligent, aesthetic, wealthy, socially and politically powerful and promiscuous, AND doesn’t feel the emptiness or need for Christ that we claim they must feel is NOT open to our message. We can talk about eternal life until we’re blue, but if they’re enjoying this life to the hilt, they’re not thinking about the next one. Most secularists I know think they die and that’s it. Dust to dust. They’re not troubled by this. The secularists I know do not feel the emptiness we ascribe to them. Many are driven and successful. They may feel inadequately successful, wealthy, beautiful or whatever, but don’t feel any need to reach outside of themselves or change their goals. If they feel a need, they want to fill it with more of what they’ve got, not Christian faith. Most secularists do not walk in the woods, or stare at the oceans or skies, and see God’s handiwork. God’s life may be all around us, but they see Darwin and the wonder of genetic recombination. Most secularists – sexularists! – don’t see licentiousness and lasciviousness as bad things. In fact, they see them as fulfilling and natural, an expression of self. They may want more and more and weirder and weirder, but that’s because they think they're getting in touch with something deep and guttural in them, and that’s a good thing in their mind. And, most secularists think they know about God, church, religion, religionists, etc. and therefore understand what they’re rejecting. Unfortunately, they don’t find us, or our message, compelling enough to change. They don’t believe they’re “selectively excluding” the light of Jesus, but rather that there’s more light on their side of the eternal ledger. In their minds, we’ve rejected their world because we’re incompetent, lesser in some ways, and unable to “make it” in their “real world.” I agree with secularists that Christians often have a strangely muted quality about them. We’re blurry, not focused. Dulled. Grey. Quiet. Lacking aggression. We don’t come off as driven or excited about life. We talk alot about love, but don't show it. I don’t see anything wrong with a Christian who is passionately interested in some of the things of the world – say, architecture – if this is the case, where are the passionate Christian architects? Name one. And why is it that Christian intellectual achievement is so often of a lesser quality than that of secularists? Yes, there are a few very wealthy Christians, but most are middle class, just like secularists. Why aren’t we more successful if we can tap into God’s great wealth and power? Why aren’t we dominating the Nobel prizes, as Jews do? My point is that Christians do not live demonstrably superior lives, on the outside, than secularists. Nor do our interior lives seem superior to them. Do we seem hugely happy, contented or exude an emotional state that’s demonstrably superior to that of secularists? If so, they don't see it. To secularists, Christian have a “B-grade” existence, one lesser than their own. We're contented with mediocrity, in their minds. What is our “value added?” What should a secularist see in us that he’d want? It makes sense that we are tempted to conform to worldly values because they are more easy to understand than those of Christians– the metric for success, in the secular world, is often measurable or countable: degrees, net-worth, etc. So, what’s the metric for success in the Christian life? Hard to know. We are easily fooled by pretenders because we don’t can’t picture, in our minds, what a successful Christian looks like. If we can’t wrap our heads around the idea of a successful man or woman of Christ, we won’t have an ideal to strive for as well as to juxtapose against the ideal of secularist society. Did Paul know this, too? I think so. I think Paul knew proud and happy secularists in Ephesus and elsewhere. The idea he gives is that they’re blinded and excluding information, so they’re choosing wrongly. I wish I could say I agree with what Paul was seeing, but that’s not what I see. I don’t think secularists are blind or misinformed. At this point, I think they’re just not part of the elect. For some reason, God excluded them. I pray this does not offend anyone. Remove this, Pastor Ralph, if you think it's over the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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