It seems today that many Christians, many in ministry, have forgotten the Bible. While there are some that remain true to scripture – who follow the Word of God – many have ditched it in preference for the plans of man and satan all in hopes of reconciling to Christ those who don’t know Him. Again, this isn’t everyone, but it is a large amount of believers.

Instead of seeking God and getting His plans, we have turned to the plans of man – business strategy books, plans of other church leaders, plans of worldly leaders – over the plans of the Holy Spirit guiding us. We have even taken the plans of men and followed them over the Bible itself.

Many have become like the world – in dress, action, looks, practice – in hopes of winning the world. Churches have services that are limited to only one hour because that’s what the world wants – in and out Christianity. We have services that are earmarked with a video or visual every five to seven minutes because that’s what will get the world’s attention. Worship services are only ten to twelve minutes long so to keep the pace of the service moving. During the worship, instead of entering into the presence of God, we enter into smoke, lasers, and light shows. We’ve come to a place that looks more like a nightclub and nothing like the house of God.

Have you ever met anyone gloriously born again out of the nightclub scene? They will tell you that the atmosphere that the church is projecting with these nightclub churches is anything, but godly.

Ministers have ditched the reverence of the suit and tie for the jeans and flip flops – claiming to be more like the sheep makes it easier to be accepted by them. No. For the past two hundred years ministers have adorned their best to preach the Gospel. They have dressed for respect. And they have gotten it. Yet by ditching the apparel of a minister, they have become just like the ones they want to reach, and are loosing the respect a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ deserves, among other things.

Will a suit and tie get you into Heaven? No. Will not wearing one send you to Hell? No. However, if you unbiasedly go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him about this subject, you will get an honest, Biblical answer. Yes, not every minister will wear a suit and tie because that doesn’t fit who they are reaching. Should a minister who is trying to reach an African tribe wear a suit and tie? If the Lord leads Him to. But at the same time, he should dress for the respect the office of a minister deserves.

Christians in the church today have started to compromise their beliefs, the Word of God trying to win the world. Christians are all tattooed up, pierced from head to toe, and look, dress, and sound like the world. The world doesn’t need something else like them and they don’t want it. They need something different. They want something different. Christians are supposed to be holy and separated unto God. What are we trying to win the world to? Jesus Christ! Then let us act like Him, not the world.

Romans 12 puts it beautifully.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2

It is commanded unto us to not conform, not be like the world, but like God. We are commanded to be totally different. How do we do that? We be like Jesus. We get in the Word of God, find out what it says and do it – be it. Don’t be like the world. Be like God.

The devil has spread this demonic thought that Christians have to be like the world to win it. No. We are to be like Christ to win it. The Bible doesn’t say to go into all the world and be like the world that they might get saved. It says to go into all the world and preach the Gospel that they might be saved. What else does the Word say? It says that after the preaching of the Word of God – signs will follow. Those signs are miracles and wonders. Those come from God, from the anointing. And all of that doesn’t come from being like the world. It comes from being like God and those are the things that will win the world to Christ – that will change their life and ours.

If you look like the devil, sound like the devil, and act like the devil – you are the devil. Let us stop being like the devil – like the world, and start being like God. Let us not be conformed to this world. Let us not allow the culture of the world to influence the culture of the church, influence our lives, but let the culture of the church – the Christians – influence the world to Jesus.

Stay with the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Amen.