The culture uses logic to justify the decisions that were based on the emotions and not on rational good sense, this is human nature.
In order to be rational and righteous we must seek God for our decisions rather than the culture or our own desires.
Much of the time we do things based on what others expect of us rather than what makes good sense and is Biblical.
It's the old "but Johnny's mom let him do it", when a child is attempting to convince his mother to let him do something.
If the culture can pretend their desires are validated by human authority, they can convince others their decision was the right way to go.
It takes God's courage in us to be able to resist being controlled and manipulated by the culture. Often when we swim up stream against the current of public traditions or standards, we will be met with opposition and even rejection regularly.
Often those with degrees or titles are those the culture looks to for their validation. They rarely think to ask God and trust that they can know the answer from God's Word. Their confidence is in the human "experts", as though God is not an expert or that God does not really speak to us even though He lives in us.
There is another very sad condition in many American "Christians." That condition is basing our evaluation or trust in someone because they are popular and/or a snappy dresser. Those that are valued and revered are those that "look good."
There are many verses from God's Word that speak of developing inner beauty based on character development coming from a close walk with Christ. There are no verses that tell us to "look good" on the outside to influence people.
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
I have actually had people tell me that certain people were "classy", when their lives were rebellious and indifferent to the things of God. Merely because they had some social graces and dressed to the nines whenever in public they were elevated as intelligent enough to give us advice. These people had no moral depth to them, but they sure looked good in a picture or at parties. This mentality leads to ungodly cliques that exclude those who love righteousness, but are just not so great looking on the outside.
Superficiality reigns in this country so much so that it is rare to find those who are devoted to Godly life principles. The principles of God are neglected in order to appear righteous on the outside, but inwardly there is emptiness.
Matthew 7:15-16 "15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?…"
The verses in Matthew are speaking of false prophets, but they can easily be equated to false believers too. People who are more interested in looking wise than actually being wise. Inner beauty comes from knowing the mind and heart of God, it cannot come from human wisdom or techniques.
Proverbs 10:9
"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out."
Listen to what people talk about and watch the things they do and we will have a clue about their inner being. We talk about and do the things we love.
It is good to take inventory on our own lives, what do we talk about, think about and do on a regular basis, this will show us what is going on in our own heart.
Titus 2:7-8
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us."
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