The influence of surrounding culture on the people of God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, Scripture provides numerous examples of how cultural environments can impact faith, practices, and the spiritual health of God's people. The Bible offers both warnings and guidance on how to navigate these influences while remaining faithful to God's commandments.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were frequently surrounded by pagan nations whose practices and beliefs were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. God repeatedly warned His people about the dangers of adopting the customs and religious practices of these nations. In Deuteronomy 12:30-31 , God instructs the Israelites, "Be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, 'How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.' You must not worship the LORD your God in their way."

The influence of surrounding cultures is evident in the history of Israel, particularly during periods of disobedience. The Book of Judges illustrates a cycle of apostasy where the Israelites repeatedly fell into idolatry, influenced by the Canaanite culture around them. Judges 2:12 states, "They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They followed after other gods, the gods of the peoples around them, and they bowed down to them."

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets of Israel often addressed the issue of cultural influence. They called the people back to covenant faithfulness and warned against the assimilation of foreign practices. For instance, Jeremiah 10:2 declares, "This is what the LORD says: 'Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.'"

The prophets emphasized that adopting the customs of surrounding nations would lead to spiritual decline and judgment. Isaiah 2:6 laments, "For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with influences from the east; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with the children of foreigners."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the early church faced the challenge of living in a Greco-Roman world with its own set of cultural norms and religious practices. The apostle Paul frequently addressed the influence of surrounding culture on Christian communities. In Romans 12:2 , he exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

Paul's letters often contain warnings against adopting the moral and ethical standards of the surrounding culture. In 1 Corinthians 15:33 , he cautions, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" This reflects the understanding that cultural influences can lead believers away from the teachings of Christ.

Guidance for Believers

The Bible provides guidance for believers on how to engage with surrounding culture without compromising their faith. Jesus, in His prayer for His disciples, acknowledges the tension of living in the world but not being of it. In John 17:15-16 , He prays, "I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world."

Believers are called to be salt and light in the world, influencing culture rather than being influenced by it. Matthew 5:13-14 states, "You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." This metaphor underscores the responsibility of Christians to maintain their distinctiveness while engaging with the world around them.

Conclusion

The influence of surrounding culture is a significant theme in the Bible, highlighting the challenges and responsibilities of God's people in maintaining their faith and witness. Through the examples and teachings found in Scripture, believers are equipped to navigate cultural influences with discernment and fidelity to God's Word.