"But everyone else is doing it"

“But everyone else is doing it”

One of the most common justification people use is pointing out that everyone else is doing it. But as Christ’s HOLY people, we are set apart from the norm and we live according to a higher standard than that of the world’s.

The book of Deuteronomy lists the laws that the Israelites were to abide to. As exhausting as the list may seem, these laws are actually for the betterment of the people of God.

For example in Deuteronomy 23:17-18 God forbids prostitution. This is probably obvious to us in our generation, however to the Israelites it wasn’t. Prostitution was a key ingredient in other pagan religions. They had shrine prostitutes, and they would have sex as part of their worship. Everyone else around the Israelites were doing it, and God clearly told them that they should have no part in this.

In our days prostitution comes with a repulsive image, and for one to partake in such a detestable thing is seen as such an abhorrent practice. However there are many other sins in our generation that are slowly creeping in and being accepted by society.

Take pre-marital sex for example: the world will tell you it’s okay to have sex with anyone as long as you “love” the person. In other cultures, being a virgin before marriage is something to be ashamed of. And teen-pregnancy is so widespread. However the Bible is clear that sex is made for marriage ONLY.

Piracy is a sugar-coated sin. It is an accepted form of stealing. We would never rob a bank, but we would rob an artist by downloading their music for free on the internet.

The rate of divorce is rocketing these days. Divorce is allowed but definitely not encouraged. God’s design for marriage is for man and woman to become one, and only through death are they parted. Marriage is not a pair of jeans that you outgrow and replace. It is a lifetime commitment.

Immodest clothing is now the in-fashion. Sometimes women are not even aware of how “damaging” their short shorts can be. Pants are getting shorter, and tops are getting shorter, it’s like the world is running out of cloth or something!

You see, to live in Christ is to live according to God’s standards. God’s rules are not really stifling. They are not made to strangle us, rather they are made to protect us. God wants us to live holy lives, lives that reflect His character, lives that glorify Him, and lives that attract others to Him.

Just because everyone else is doing it gives us no excuse to conform to the patterns on this world. You are set apart. You are Holy. You are God’s. So live like one.