How do you look at the world? How do you make decisions? How do you perceive and make sense of what you see? All these things are part of one thing, and that is your worldview.
People have all sorts of worldviews. They are based off their basic beliefs and they determine, well… their view of the world. For example, a humanist only believes the material world. How do you think this would shift and decide his actions and thoughts?
As Christians our worldview should come from the Bible. The Bible provides us with a manual on how we should progress, travel, view, and think about the world. We should have a worldview rooted in the Bible and what Jesus did for us.
The great enemy of the biblical worldview is, well… everything that is not biblical. We are exposed to these things every day, usually whether we like it or not. This can result in what I would call desensitization.
Think of how you have sinned and how others around you have sinned today. How many of those situations did you actually feel really bad about? It is likely some, if not a majority of them, you just did (or observed) without thinking.
For example, in a school, maybe you lie when you tell your teacher you want to go to the bathroom, but you go to your locker or check your Facebook instead.
Here’s a personal example, one I can say is desensitization through over-exposure. In fifth grade I went to public school for the first time, and I was exposed to a lot of cussing. After a while I found myself swearing under my breath and/or saying them audibly. I knew it was wrong but I became “accustomed” to it. That summer I realized it was wrong and stopped gradually.
You are probably wondering how the topic of desensitization has to do with worldviews. I think that when you are desensitized to something you come to accept it as acceptable. I have seen that happening in many cases, especially in teens who have been influenced by their music, friends, pop culture, race, or location so much that unbiblical worldviews have replaced/modified their original biblical beliefs.
Have you ever noticed this happening to you? One way to deal with this is to replace those negative things with similar things that have a positive impact on you.
For example, I was really getting into rap. I loved Macklemore’s song “Thrift Shop.” I got a clean version of the song and listened to it many many times. Sadly, the clean version was really just like a fill-in-the-blank puzzle.
I knew I couldn’t continue listening to it, so I researched Christian rap artists. I wanted an artist that I didn’t feel was “cheezy” or was just a “Christianized” version of a bad song.
Eventually I found artists like Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Trip Lee, Canon, and Tedashi. And I have found other hip-hop artists like them and love their dope music that points me to Christ and reinforces my biblical worldview.
I would sum this up with one question: How can you strengthen your biblical worldview today by eliminating cultural “norms” that are desensitizing you to God’s truth?”
Share Your Thoughts in the Comment Section!
There are currently 15 Comment(s)
There are currently 15 Comment(s)
God sure has great timing! I was praying to Him about this very topic tonight after I had watched The Maze Runner. When I had finished watching the movie I just felt like the whole movie had caused my spirits to drop. It left me with a empty feeling and this a feeling I have started to become used to when watching certain movies, listening to music, and reading books. I’m starting to understand why God says its best to separate ourselves from worldly views and “norms.” So my goal is to listen, read, and watch everything for the glory of Christ.
Same here! Have you read the Maze Runner books? If not, I wouldn’t recommend watching the second movie whenever it comes out. The sequel book gave me nightmares. :/
Thank you for letting me know this because I seriously just started the second book today but I felt too forces pulling me in different directions. One towards going through and reading the book and the other telling me to quit the book. Now I really know that God doesn’t want me to read it. Thank you Lord!
Haha, God’s timing is awesome!!!
This is great, Daniel! Thanks for sharing. And I thought the same thing about the “Christian” version of Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop.” You make a great point!
“Be in the world, not of the world”
I have no idea what the scripture reference for that is, but it’s good advice, just like your article – thanks for writing! And in answer to your question, my good old fallback…read the Bible. 🙂
P.S. Love the bow tie!
It’s not a Bible verse, but it is loosely paraphrased from John 17:16. I actually never knew that until I typed it in just now!
I think of this verse often…
Great article! I have to always be on my guard against being desensitized to, well, everything on TV and the internet. A lot of it is “cool” but really not good at the end of the day. Music is a big one that I can struggle with, I’m glad you hit on that. I must admit that a while ago that I enjoyed listening to the clean versions of some of Pink’s music, and came to the same realization: what business do I exactly have listening to this? I still think she is talented but I don’t listen to anything she makes anymore.
And guys, lets please not be desensitized by the prevalent immodesty of our day! We don’t want to require girls to wear burlap bags; but at the same time we want to take a stand against obvious immodesty. Sure, it won’t be fun or easy, but let’s at least try to not look at things that we shouldn’t…
If anyone is up for the challenge of modesty, it’s the Rebelution! 🙂
Great article Daniel! I agree with what you said, worldviews shape everything about our lives and sometimes without realizing it we lets the wrong things shaping us. It is so hard to keep some things from coming in and we need to work hard to make sure everything that comes in is changing us in a good way. I’ve been learning all about worldviews in school this year and there are so many wrong things that I have realized I let in and good things I haven’t made into a habit. Thank you!
Hee yeah Thanks! 🙂
This is good stuff, Daniel! Your last question is so thought provoking… I know i need to ask myself this more than i do. Thanks for the article!
This is a huge struggle in a world of culture and peer pressure. Worldly ideas are constantly “in your face.” Satan’s lies can be subtle too. We must be on our guard.
The more you are introduced to unbiblical things, the less they shock you. If someone is desensitized, they will compromise a whole lot quicker. It can even begin to warp the biblical worldview you hold.
God’s Word needs to saturate our minds–so we can be discerning. We have to be able to recognize and stand for truth. If we fail to do this, we will fall. Compromise is the key which opens the wide gate to the broad way: leading to destruction. Stick to the straight and narrow. It is tried and true leading deeper into the love of Jesus.
Andy Mineo is my favorite rapper!
And thanks so much for this article–I was just thinking about how we get so accustomed to bad things happening at school/in the world that we barely ever blink when it happens. It’s definitely something we, as Christians, should all be aware of.
Still can’t get over the 1-1-Six reference! Yay!
Yeah i’m a huge fan I love em and more of them if you dont know about rapzilla.com already chech it out!
or jamthehype.com They have an internet radio!
I think God’s trying to get through to me with this article; thank you!
Great article! Definitely something we should all be thinking about throughout the day.
And all those music artists are amazing, by the way. 😀
Wow that is a great way to think of it. It makes me want to change which I plan to do.
The Rebelution’s articles always come at the perfect time and this one is no exception. Thank you so much!
Hey, Annalysa!
I just read your profile. Are you a harpist yet? I have been playing harp for 4 years now 🙂
Haha, no, I wish though! 🙂 I’m still working on paying for a cello so unless I find a harp that doesn’t cost thousands, it’ll be a while. For now, though, I have a guitar and banjo that I need to work on. 🙂 Do you play any other instruments?
Oh yes!
Currently I play piano, harp, and organ, but I have played…
piano, voice, guitar, flute, violin, accordion, harp, and organ. Oh, and when I was young I tried the recorder for a while, and at my last youth symphony orchestra concert I helped out with some percussion . And that’s just me! The full list of instruments in our house…
– 1 keyboard
-1 harp
-2 accordions
-1 squeezed box (think tiny sort-of accordion)
– 2 guitars
– a few violins (different sizes)
– 1 flute
-1 clarinet
– 1 saxophone
– 1 drum kit
– 1 autoharp
-lots and lots and lots of rhythm instruments
a lot of these aren’t used currently, but we have them 🙂
There was the time I was trying to practice harp with an accordion-tuba duet going on…
Whoa! And I thought we had a lot! 🙂
We have
-1 banjo
-1 guitar
-3-5 violins (I’m not sure exactly how many)
-1 ocarina
-1 penny whistle
-1 slide whistle
-1 piano
-1 cello
I would love to have a harp and a flute…but I still have to finish paying for my cello before I start saving up for another instrument. I’d like a sax too…which type do you have: alto, soprano, or tenor? I think I’d like a tenor sax… 🙂
#whatswiththeexpensiveinstruments
you could always start with a lap harp. They are only a few hundred $$. Then you could begin working on hand position, teqnique, and the basics.
I spent time on both lap harp and lever harp before I moved on to concert (pedal) harp. 🙂
What do you play?
My sister has a lap harp but I want a *real* one. 😀 😀
So true, Daniel! Thank you for this article!!
Wow, thanks Daniel! I have struggled in very similar areas. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who has struggled with it and that you have been able to change those habits in your life. Thanks for encouraging me!
No problem! You’re welcome. If you need further encouragement just email me at [email protected]
Hey thanks!
I love it! Thank you.
Hi Andi! Welcome to the Rebelution!
Definitely perfect timing for me as well. I love articles like this because they always make me think about everything in my life. Thanks 🙂