When Your Culture Clashes with Your Conviction: 5 Keys to Standing Firm
Hey Church Family,
Wow! What a powerful and timely word Ps Larry Elliott brought us this Sunday. It was an absolute privilege to be in the house as we continued our incredible series, “Walking with God in Legacy.” This week, we looked into Part 5, “Walking with God – Standing Firm,” and Ps Larry tackled a question that every single one of us faces: In a world that is constantly trying to push its culture and its narrative onto us, how do we stand firm in Christ?
This was the perfect follow-up to last week’s message on being “Fruitful Trees in a Fruitful Season.” Now that we’ve learned how to bear fruit, this message teaches us how to protect that fruit by standing firm in our faith.
Ps Larry kicked us off with a foundational scripture for this entire message, Galatians 5:1 (NIV): “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Are You a Citizen or a Tourist?
The core of the message was this: we must understand the difference between the world’s culture and heaven’s culture. The Bible says we have been “taken out of darkness into His marvelous Light!” Our identity has fundamentally changed.
Philippians 3:20 (NKJV) reminds us, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”. We are not just visitors to this faith; we are citizens of heaven. We are ambassadors! We are here on assignment to represent our home country — the Kingdom of God.
This means we are called to carry heaven’s culture. Ps Larry reminded us that this is a culture of discipline and, critically, a culture of prayer. Prayer is how we take the reality of heaven and manifest it here on earth. But how do we live this out practically when the culture around us is so loud and demanding?
The Daniel Blueprint: 5 Keys to Standing Firm
Ps Larry gave us a brilliant and practical blueprint from the life of Daniel. Daniel was literally taken captive and immersed in Babylon — the most powerful, opposing culture of his day. He was integrated into their government and structure. Yet, he and his friends managed to navigate this foreign environment while remaining faithful to their God.
Their story gives us five powerful keys for standing firm in our own “Babylon”.
1. Purpose in Your Heart
It all starts with a conscious decision. Daniel 1:8 (NKJV) says, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…”. He made a stand based on his conviction, not on convenience. He refused to forget who he was — a child of God. We, too, must make a conscious decision to uphold our convictions, even when it’s easier to just go with the flow.
2. Have a Courageous Conviction
Having a conviction is one thing; having the courage to act on it is another. Daniel didn’t just quietly refuse the food; he had the courage to propose a 10 day test, staking his life on God’s faithfulness.
This courage was even more visible in his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When commanded to bow to the golden statue, they faced a fiery furnace and gave one of the boldest replies in all of Scripture.
They said in Daniel 3:17-18 (NKJV), “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Now that is a courageous conviction! They were standing firm, even if God didn’t deliver them in the way they expected.
This kind of courage isn’t built in isolation. It’s built in community, by sharpening one another. It’s exactly why our Men’s Ministry Coffee Club is so vital — it’s a place where, as the Proverb says, “iron sharpens iron,” so we can stand firm together.
3. Have Respectful Engagement
This is so important, family. Daniel didn’t approach the Babylonian official with arrogance, pride, or entitlement. He approached him with respect and humility. He said, “Please, test your servants…”. Daniel didn’t demand; he respectfully proposed.
We are called to engage the culture around us with grace. As Colossians 4:6 (NKJV) says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” This doesn’t mean we compromise on unbiblical or ungodly practices. It means we can stand firm on our conviction while still reflecting the love and humility of Christ.
4. Trust God’s Provision
When you stand firm, you must trust that God is your Source — not your job, not your boss, not your circumstances. Daniel and his friends trusted God, and the outcomes were nothing short of miraculous.
- After 10 days, they looked healthier and better than everyone else.
- In the fiery furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth man in the fire, “like the Son of God”!
- In the lion’s den, Daniel 6:22 (NKJV) says, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths… because I was found innocent before Him…”
We must trust God’s plan, even when we don’t understand it, knowing He is faithful and works all things for our good (Romans 8:28).
5. Influence Your Culture (Don’t Be Influenced by It!)
This was such a powerful way to land the plane. Because Daniel and his friends stood firm, their faithfulness led to their promotion. Daniel was given the opportunity to influence the entire Babylonian administration and even place other godly people in key roles.
Our faith isn’t just a personal conviction to be kept quiet; it’s meant to impact those around us. We are called to be the light! Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) says: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
What an incredible call to action for us as a church!
For Cell Groups – Possible Points to Discuss
This message was packed with truth! Here are a few questions to help you dig deeper in your cell groups this week:
- Ps Larry said we must have “purpose in our heart”. What is one area of your life (e.g., your entertainment, your finances, the way you talk at work) where you feel a clash between heaven’s culture and the world’s culture? What “purpose” do you need to make in your heart this week?
- Read Daniel 3:16-18 together. The three friends said, “But if not…”. What does it mean to have a conviction that stands firm, even if God doesn’t deliver you in the way you expect?
- How can we “respectfully engage” with culture or people we disagree with, without compromising our biblical values? Share a practical example.
- Ps Larry challenged us to be influencers, not just be influenced. In what practical way can you “let your light shine” this week at your workplace, school, or in your community to influence it for God?
A Prayer for the Week Ahead
Father, thank You for Your Word that equips and strengthens us.
We choose this day to be citizens of heaven first. Give us the courage of Daniel to purpose in our hearts to honor You in all things. Make us bold in our convictions but humble in our engagement. Help us to trust Your provision, even when we are in the fire.
We declare that we will not bow to the culture of this world. Empower us by Your Spirit to stand firm and be a shining light that influences our world for Your glory.
In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
