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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: What is the world coming to when even Christians seem to conform to the ways of the world? Isn’t this against what the Bible says? – C.W.

A: Christians are not to be conformed to this world. The world by its advertisements, its conversation, and its philosophy is engaged in a gigantic brainwashing task. Not always consciously but sometimes unconsciously, the Christian is beset by secular and worldly propaganda. Ads that proclaim that “the man of distinction” prefers a certain brand of whiskey imply that abstainers are not people of distinction. Much entertainment is slanted to those who feed on violence, sex, and lawlessness. It would seem that some diabolic mastermind is running the affairs of this world and that his chief objective is to brainwash Christians and get them to conform to this world.

The world’s sewage system threatens to contaminate the stream of Christian thought. Satan will contest every hour Christians spend in Bible reading or prayer. However, above the din we can hear the voice of Scripture: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5, NKJV), and, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2, NKJV).

Christians are not even to be conformed to the world’s anxieties. Many Christians are wringing their hands and saying, “What’s the world coming to?” The Bible has already told us that “the world and the lust thereof” are going to pass away. We have already been told in Scripture that the world is coming to a cataclysmic judgment. Christians are to be lights in the midst of darkness, and our lives should exemplify joy in the midst of frustration, confusion, and despair.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2024 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2024 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.