Why is it so hard to be different?
God has always called His people to stand apart—to be holy, distinct, and a light in a world that doesn’t know Him. And yet, if we’re honest, there’s something in us that just wants to fit in.
We don’t want to stand out.
We don’t want to feel out of step.
We don’t want to be seen as different.
That struggle isn’t new.
In 1 Samuel 8, as the prophet Samuel grew old, the people of Israel faced a moment of decision. Instead of trusting God to lead them, they asked for something else—something that would make them feel more secure, more normal, more like the nations around them.
They asked for a king.
But their request revealed something deeper. God told Samuel, “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me.”
It’s easy to see how the world today rejects God’s authority. But what’s more challenging is this:
In what ways might we be doing the same—subtly, quietly, even unintentionally?
Where are we tempted to blend in rather than stand apart?
Let’s take a closer look.
Welcome to “God’s Word Day by Day,” where I blog through the Bible in a Year. I hope you’ll join me every day. If you’re not already signed up, you can do it here or subscribe on YouTube.
Today’s Readings:
1 Samuel 8 & 9
Psalm 55.9-15
Proverbs 15.15-17
Luke 22.1-23
Are We Blending In?
1 Samuel 8 & 9:
Give Us a King
God has always desired for His people to be set apart, holy, and different from the world around us. And in so doing, be a light drawing others to Him. Yet, we tend to simply want to blend in.
We see an example of this here in Chapter 8. Samuel was getting old, and rather than trusting God, the people cried out for a king to take his place so they could be like everyone else (1 Sam. 8.1-9). Verses 6-7:
6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.
Like the ancient Israelites, it’s easy to see how the unbelieving world today has rejected God’s authority. But even many churches have compromised essential doctrines in an attempt to appeal to an increasingly secular society. One after another, liberal churches and denominations have given in to the culture’s agenda. While most of them simply consider themselves to be relevant and cutting edge, instead of being a light shining out in a dark world, they are in effect just blending in.
Are We Blending In?
Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to allow unbiblical ideas to creep into our own worldviews and gradually into the ways we live our lives.
That’s why it’s so important to be a committed member of a biblically sound church. That involves more than just dashing in on Sunday mornings and out again as quickly as possible. It means attending Bible studies and taking advantage of other opportunities to grow. It also means making ourselves accountable to others in our church families.
We are constantly bombarded with news and information that the world wants us to believe. But we must hold every idea up to God’s Word. If something contradicts what the Bible says, it is not the truth no matter what scientists, influencers, politicians, or experts try to tell us.
A Couple of Examples Where We Might Be Tempted to Accept the World’s Viewpoint
I have frequently been concerned about the number of Christians who have become interested in, sometimes even rely on, personality tests and systems. Last year, the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) did a series of podcasts on the subject, explaining why we may need to be cautious.
Here is a link to the first one in the series.
“Considering Personality Typologies”
Another area of concern is the church’s often uncritical acceptance of psychology. I have written more about that in this series:
How Psychology Affects the Spread of the Gospel – Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3
And here is a podcast you can listen to, also from ACBC:
The good news is we don’t have to figure it all out for ourselves. In addition to our own churches, there are many good blogs, podcasts, and teachings available today that can help us remain faithful to the truth and avoid blending in.
A Few Suggestions
I’ve mentioned it before, but one of my favorites is “The Briefing” with Al Mohler. Dr. Mohler’s subtitle is “News & Events from a Christian Worldview.” He is one of the most intelligent, widely read, and informed interpreters of world events. He is also the President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 20-25 minutes, 5 days a week, he does an excellent job of helping his listeners stay current and of explaining how God’s Word should inform our understanding of what’s going on. You can even download his free app and listen on your smartphone.
“The Briefing” is one podcast I almost never miss. It’s just the right length for me to listen to while I get dressed and put on my makeup. I’m a creature of habit, and that makes it easy for me to listen every day.
One of my favorite blogs is Patsy’s InstaEncouragements. Among other things, she recommends great resources. I also like to read posts on the Gospel Coalition site and the site I mentioned earlier, ACBC. By the way, their posts and podcasts are not just for counselors. ACBC has dozens and dozens of free podcasts on subjects that are important to us all and a growing number of posts.
Three of my other go-to resources are John MacArthur’s website, where you will find years of free audios, IBCD (the Institute for Counseling & Discipleship), and Ligonier Ministries.
What about you? What resources enable you to grow in God’s truth and avoid blending in?
[Tweet “God has always desired for His people to be set apart, holy, different from the world around us. #Christianity #bible #faith #soulsurvival”]
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 55.9-15:
Betrayed by a Friend
David had been betrayed. It wasn’t an enemy who had betrayed him, but someone he considered a close friend. Who among us hasn’t felt disappointment, hurt, or even anger over some betrayal?
Yet … Ephesians 4.26 says, “Be angry, and do not sin,” and verses 31 and 32 say, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Romans 12.21 raises the bar even higher:
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The first step in obeying God when we have been hurt by others is to do what David did: take it to the Lord and allow Him to minister to our hurting hearts. Then, with God’s help, choose to forgive and overcome evil with good by responding in love.
Just one more podcast. This one is on forgiveness:
Proverbs 15.15-17:
Better is a Tossed Salad …
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred (v. 17).
Better to have a tossed salad with true Christian friends and others who love the Lord than a seven-course dinner full of strife and contention. Amen?
Luke 22.1-23:
Greater is He
In this passage, we see the disciples taking the Passover meal with Jesus. This is what we call the Last Supper and the institution of the Lord’s Supper or Communion.
We also see Judas preparing to betray Jesus. As John MacArthur notes in his daily Bible, Satan actually possessed Judas on two occasions, just before he went to the chief priests and again during the Last Supper, just before the actual betrayal.
People sometimes ask me if I believe people can be possessed today. Yes, I believe it’s possible, though not for genuine believers. But even when it happens, the answer is Christ and the Gospel. As the Apostle John wrote:
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 Jn. 4.4).
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about responding when you feel like you have let God down or when you feel like you continue to fight the same spiritual battle over and over, and how to tell the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow.
I hope you’ll join us, and if this post spoke to you, please share it on your favorite social media platform.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
What Is Your Plan to Grow Spiritually This Year?
I hope you’re reading through the Bible with me, or you have another reading plan in place. If not, you can sign up for my daily email or subscribe here for the YouTube version.
Following along with me can help you stay on track. And I believe you’ll benefit from the additional information I share and grow as you learn to apply God’s Word to your own life.
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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