How to Determine if Our Worldview is Biblical

 

by Barbara Latta

I grew up in the generation of baby boomers. My worldview was determined by the Christian principles of my family and the community I lived in. In a small Arkansas town, most citizens went to church and even a lot of those who didn’t still had a healthy regard for God.

During this time period, the nation came together to pray when we entered war or during some other crisis.

But over the years certain doctrines have infiltrated society and with the advent of the internet those philosophies spread like a flood drowning the earth with waves of unholy conclusions.

Our worldview is the lens through which we develop our attitudes, beliefs, judgments, behavior, and speech.

To establish a biblical standpoint, we need to focus on discipleship. Jesus told His apostles to go into the earth and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). They weren’t instructed to merely go and recruit church members.

New converts should be discipled to grow into mature believers who can be strong in their faith.

We cannot produce an image of God to humanity if we are lazy or complacent.

We must continue to renew our minds to safeguard our sensibilities from being influenced by the fallen ideals around us.

How can we determine if our worldview is biblical? And how do we guard against ungodly beliefs infiltrating our minds?

1. Make Bible reading and prayer a priority

When our Creator comes first, and His Word takes root in our soul, we will adopt His way of thinking.

 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2 HCSB)

 2. Filter what we see, hear, and read.

If what we see on TV, movies, and social media counteracts what our heavenly Father says, we are in danger of being swayed by those voices.

Biases can creep in small steps at a time. We may not realize what we have absorbed until we find ourselves thinking or speaking differently.

 What we watch and read should reflect positive standards.

Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. (Colossians 2:8 HCSB)

3. Be thankful.

We can maintain a soft heart toward our heavenly Father through gratitude. We will be more aware of our blessings instead of what we think we don’t have.

 Every day we can find something to thank the Lord for. This keeps our minds focused on Him and will protect us from absorbing critical and negative perspectives that infiltrate lifestyles that surround us.

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude. (Colossians 2:6)

4. Read biographies and historical accounts of great Christian leaders and martyrs.

 Inspiration from teachers of the past or present who have influenced people for the kingdom of God can encourage us to follow their examples. We can learn how their faith kept them strong.

Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

We can influence the world around us in the following ways:

· We start at home by modeling virtuous behavior, reading the Bible, praying, and attending worship services.

 If the Bible’s doctrines are the priority of the home, the family members can retain faith.

 Children can learn how to exhibit a kind response to difficult situations when they are faced with problems and how to treat those who disagree.

 · We continue at church as we teach these ideals in Sunday School and explain why the lessons in Bible stories apply to our lives.

 A body of believers can become involved in taking a stance against immoral codes that are taking place in communities.

Giving back to the city or county through church members ministering in homeless shelters, city-wide festivals, nursing homes, and hospitals will reflect Christ to the population.

· We can take a stand in education.

Our culture has evolved into one that promotes any behavior a person feels like doing. If students are taught that sinful actions are normal and acceptable, parents and grandparents have the right to oppose the instruction. 

We would, of course, need to express our opinions in controlled and non-aggressive ways, but we still have the power and the right to shelter our families.

·We can take a stand in governmental policies.

Moral values have suffered for decades because of complacency.  A lot of believers separated themselves from societal issues by accepting the lie that Christians weren’t supposed to get embroiled in governmental affairs.

This lack of involvement helped promote the agenda of one woman who succeeded in abolishing prayer and Bible reading from schools in America. This was the first step in eliminating other religious displays from public buildings and events.

We can make a difference by contacting representatives, always voting, and supporting candidates who stand for wholesome guidelines.

If we allow feelings of inadequacy to deceive us into the assumption that because we are only one person we can’t make a difference, these emotions can urge us to stay at home on election day or keep silent against immoral positions.

But in 1876, one vote elected Rutherford B. Hayes as President of the United States, one vote made Texas part of the United States in 1845, and one vote kept Aaron Burr from becoming president in 1800.

Our individual selves do count, and our voices can be heard.

Jesus told us if we were ashamed of Him, He would be ashamed of us (Matthew 10:33). We are to respect the authority of government while rejecting the implementation of issues that go against God.

Peter told the Sanhedrin, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

When we express ourselves through dignity, control, and wisdom, we are communicating Christ’s character to a dark realm.

As we raise a generation of youth with a biblical understanding, the next span of time can be filled with teachers, businessmen and women, politicians, and leaders who live by the truth of scriptural precepts.

Living through our identity in Christ can influence the world around us.

Discipleship is the key to transforming humanity. Hearts must be changed before situations will be. 

 This post first appeared on Livingbydesign.org. 

 Please share some other ways to establish a biblical worldview.

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