The Ways of GodSample

God’s Ways are Not Subject to Changes in Culture or Popular Psychology

Our world has experienced enormous shifts in how people view themselves and society. The Bible declares that humanity’s foremost problem is sin (Rom. 3:23). Modern culture often disdains the concept of sin and prefers to focus on inequality, intolerance, and other social ills. While these certainly are legitimate issues, they are, at their root, the outgrowth of sin. God claims the primary response to sin must be repentance. During the 1960s in America, many of God’s standards were turned on their head and explained away in new, psychological, and sociological terms.

A problem inevitably occurs when people feel the need to adjust God’s ways so they line up better with current societal trends. In today’s culture, it is considered boorish and insensitive to call on someone who is addicted to drugs or pornography to repent of their sin. If a person has been victimized, society feels they should be excused for whatever evil they commit in response. Many assume, therefore, that God must update the ways He relates to people so He is better aligned with modern ways of thinking.

One problem, of course, is that sciences such as psychology and sociology are fluid and constantly changing. Social sciences are far better at observing symptoms in people’s behavior than diagnosing root causes for people’s problems. Furthermore, much of modern theory is not based on truth and certainly not on God’s Word. Today, scientists and medical professionals are being pressured to conform their views to popular societal thought and feelings. God’s Word, on the other hand, has remained consistent through the centuries. A god who is continually updated and conformed to shifting trends will be a god who has no power or authority to tell people how to live.

Many churches and denominations have attempted to modernize their approach to what God has always labeled as sin. Again, there is a need for compassion and kindness - both being godly traits - but by seeking to appear more enlightened, compassionate, or inclusive, these churches have ended up compromising the clear Word of God. As a result, they have generally become more powerless and irrelevant. The truth is, the ways of God don’t change, regardless of how gauche they may appear in light of popular opinion.

Thank you for reading this plan!

Our prayer for you is that you would trust His ways, live in His peace, and follow His path for your life. This plan is based onThe Ways of God by Richard Blackaby (B&H Publishing Group, 2023). Click here to find out more information about the book.