In our increasingly globalized world, Christians often find themselves at odds with prevailing cultural norms. As we strive to fulfill our mission of representing Christ to our generation, conflict with the surrounding culture becomes almost inevitable. This challenge is not unique to our time – throughout history, God’s people have grappled with the tension between their faith and the societies in which they live.
We are all products of our own cultures. A story is told of a monkey who, upon visiting the ocean for the first time, saw a fish swimming and decided to “rescue” it by bringing it to shore. This well-intentioned but misguided act highlights a crucial truth: what is life-giving for one creature can be deadly for another. Similarly, a fish doesn’t know what being “wet” is because it’s never experienced anything else. These illustrations remind us that we often take our cultural context for granted until we step outside of it.
For over 30 years, my wife Lori and I have lived in Zambia, Africa. In the early years, we experienced firsthand the disorientation of “culture shock.” In the early days, simple tasks like grocery shopping, paying bills, or even handing something to someone became complex as we navigated a new cultural mindset and value system. We learned that customs we took for granted in our home culture – like wearing dark suits to funerals or bringing food to grieving families – were sometimes the opposite of what was expected in Zambian culture.
Culture Defined:
This experience underscores the definition of culture as “the attitudes and behaviors characteristic of a particular social group.” It encompasses customs, arts, and social institutions that define a people’s collective mind, sense of right and wrong, perception of reality, and definition of self. As Robert P. Dugan Jr. writes in “Winning the New Civil War”:
Culture is the morals and habits a mother strives to instill in her children. It is the obligations we acknowledge toward our neighbors, our community, and our government. It is the worker’s dedication to craftsmanship and the owner’s acceptance of the responsibilities of stewardship. It is the standards we set and enforce for ourselves and for others: our definitions of duty, honor, and character. It is our collective conscience.
Robert P. Dugan Jr
Evaluating Culture
As people of God, we must judge any culture against the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ as revealed in His Word. Yet we must also recognize that we are all influenced by our cultural context, often in ways we don’t readily perceive.
Jesus warned His disciples about this danger when He cautioned them to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6) and “the leaven of Herod” (Mark 8:15). Leaven, or yeast, symbolizes human imperfection (see Exodus 12:15-20, 13:3-8; Leviticus 2:11; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8). Jesus was warning against mixing imperfect human ideas with God’s truth.
As Jim Peterson observes in “Living Proof”: “These three influences—tradition, philosophy, and society—seem inevitably to work their way into and become part of the value system of any Christian community to such an extent that it is possible to be a Christian, but live almost entirely within a pagan value system, and not even perceive it.”
Cultural Guidance Comes From The Scripture
The Israelites faced a similar cultural challenge. As they stood at the border of the Promised Land, poised to enter Canaan, Moses offered both admonition and warning. For 40 years, God led them and gave them His law—moral, civil, and ceremonial. They developed a new culture—a God-culture, where God Himself is the Sovereign ruler of His people.
Now, this new generation, raised in the wilderness under the rule of God and Moses, is about to encounter very different cultures in Canaan. The generation that was immersed in Egyptian culture has died off. There is a pressing need to admonish, encourage, and warn this new generation as they prepare to advance the cause of Yahweh in this new land.
In Deuteronomy 8:1-20, we find a powerful message that resonates with our modern struggle to confront culture while remaining faithful to God. Let’s explore this passage and its implications for our lives as we confront our own culture today.
REMEMBERING GOD’S NATURE
As we confront the challenges of our cultural context, it’s crucial to ground ourselves in the unchanging nature of God.
In Deuteronomy 8, Moses repeatedly emphasizes the phrase “the LORD your God,” using it seven times in this chapter alone (verses 2, 5, 6, 11, 14, 18, 20). This phrase appears a staggering 279 times throughout Deuteronomy, underscoring its significance in understanding the relationship between God and His people.
Let’s delve deeper into the aspects of God’s nature highlighted in this passage to discover how to relate to culture:
Yahweh – The Self-existent, Eternal One
The name “LORD” (in all capitals) in our English Bibles represents the Hebrew name Yahweh. This name, revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14), speaks to God’s self-existence and eternality. Yahweh needs nothing and no one outside of Himself. Nothing can add to God, nor can anything take away from Him. He is, as the theologians say, aseity – complete and sufficient in Himself.
This truth stands in stark contrast to our human experience. We are not self-existent. We need air to breathe, food to eat, water to drink, and the right balance of heat and cold to survive. Our very existence is contingent upon factors outside ourselves. But God, as Yahweh, is different. He is the ground of all being, the uncaused cause, the one who simply “is.”
Reflecting on this aspect of God’s nature should instill in us a profound sense of humility and dependence. As the psalmist declares, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light” (Psalm 36:9). Our existence, and indeed the existence of all creation, flows from the self-existent, eternal God.
Elohim – The Powerful Creator and Preserver
The name “God” in this passage translates the Hebrew Elohim. This name, used 32 times in Genesis 1 alone, emphasizes God’s power and might, particularly as the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
When we confront a culture that often glorifies human achievement and technological progress, remembering God as Elohim puts everything into perspective. The same God who spoke the universe into existence (Genesis 1:3) and who “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3) is the God we serve and worship.
This aspect of God’s nature reminds us that no challenge we face is too great for Him. As the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed, “Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17).
Your God – The Personal Relationship
Perhaps most striking in Moses’ repetition is the possessive pronoun “your.” This emphasizes the personal nature of the relationship between God and His people. The transcendent, all-powerful Creator is not a distant, impersonal force but a God who enters into a covenant relationship with His people.
This personal aspect of God’s nature is revolutionary. In a world where many religious and philosophical systems posit an unknowable or indifferent deity, the God of the Bible reveals Himself as one who desires a relationship with His creation. As the apostle James would later write, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
The implications of this truth are profound. It means that as we navigate the complexities of our cultural landscape, we are not alone. We have a personal relationship with the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who knows us intimately and cares for us deeply.
In light of these truths about God’s nature, A.W. Pink’s words in “The Supremacy of God” are particularly poignant:
“The ‘god’ of this twentieth century no more resembles the Supreme Sovereign of Holy Writ than does the dim flickering of a candle the glory of the midday sun. The ‘god’ who is now talked about in the average pulpit, spoken of in the ordinary Sunday School, mentioned in much of the religious literature of the day, and preached in most of the so-called Bible conferences is the figment of human imagination, an invention of maudlin sentimentality.”
Pink’s critique serves as a stark reminder of the danger of allowing our cultural context to shape our understanding of God. Instead, we must continually return to the revelation of God in Scripture, allowing His self-revelation to shape our understanding and, consequently, our lives.
As we confront culture, remembering the nature of God as revealed in His names – Yahweh, the self-existent, eternal One; Elohim, the powerful Creator and Preserver; and our personal God who enters into relationship with us – provides a solid foundation. This foundation enables us to stand firm in our faith, regardless of the cultural pressures we may face.
In the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in” (Isaiah 40:21-22).
REMEMBERING GOD’S WORK
As we continue in Deuteronomy 8, we find that Moses not only emphasizes God’s nature but also His actions on behalf of His people. Remembering God’s work is crucial in confronting culture, as it grounds our faith in historical realities and reminds us of God’s faithfulness. Let’s examine the four key aspects of God’s work highlighted in this passage:
Deliverance – “He brought us out” (Deuteronomy 8:14b)
Moses reminds the Israelites of their fundamental story: God’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage. This miraculous exodus serves as the cornerstone of Israel’s national identity and spiritual heritage. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s intervention in human history.
For Christians today, this deliverance from Egypt foreshadows our own spiritual deliverance. As the apostle Paul writes, God “has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). Just as Israel was freed from physical slavery, we have been liberated from the bondage of sin and death.
In a culture that often promotes self-reliance and personal achievement, remembering God’s work of deliverance is a powerful antidote to pride. It reminds us that our freedom, both in the physical and spiritual realms, is ultimately a gift from God.
Guidance – “He led us through” (Deuteronomy 8:2,15)
Moses recounts how God faithfully led the Israelites through the wilderness, guiding them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. This divine guidance wasn’t just about direction; it also involved leading them into trying situations to test and humble them.
“And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not” (Deuteronomy 8:2).
This aspect of God’s work challenges our cultural obsession with comfort and ease. God’s guidance often leads us through difficult terrain to shape our character and deepen our faith. As James writes, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2-3).
It’s important to note that these trials don’t produce sin in our hearts; rather, they expose what’s already there. Just as God systematically purged those who would not follow and obey from the congregation of Israel, He uses trials in our lives to refine and purify us.
Provision – “He fed you” (Deuteronomy 8:3b,16)
God’s provision in the wilderness was miraculous and multifaceted. He provided manna when they were hungry, ensured their clothes didn’t wear out, and kept them in good health. This provision wasn’t just about meeting physical needs; it was a teaching tool:
“And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3).
Jesus later quoted this verse when tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:4), underscoring its enduring spiritual significance. In a culture of consumerism and instant gratification, remembering God’s provision reminds us of our dependence on Him and the primacy of spiritual nourishment.
Instruction – “He taught you” (Deuteronomy 8:3,5)
Finally, Moses emphasizes God’s work of instruction. Through their wilderness experiences, the Israelites learned crucial truths about God’s nature and character:
1. The uniqueness of God: “Know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other” (Deuteronomy 4:39).
2. God’s fatherly discipline: “Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you” (Deuteronomy 8:5).
This aspect of God’s work challenges the relativism and pluralism of our culture. It asserts that there are absolute truths to be learned and a personal God who actively teaches His people.
In reflecting on God’s work, we’re reminded of the psalmist’s words: “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:11-12).
Remembering God’s work of deliverance, guidance, provision, and instruction equips us to confront our culture with confidence. It reminds us that we serve a God who is not distant or uninvolved, but one who actively works in history and in our personal lives.
As we face the challenges of our contemporary world, let us, like the Israelites, keep these works of God at the forefront of our minds. Let us draw strength and courage from the knowledge that the same God who acted so powerfully on behalf of His people in the past continues to work in our lives today.
In the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18-19). As we remember God’s past works, we’re also encouraged to look for His ongoing work in our lives and in our world.
THE DANGER OF FORGETTING GOD
In Deuteronomy 8:11-20, Moses shifts from reminding the Israelites of God’s nature and works to warning them about the grave danger of forgetting God. This section is particularly relevant to our modern context, where prosperity and self-sufficiency can easily lead us away from dependence on God.
When Are We in Most Danger of Forgetting God?
Moses identifies three specific circumstances that pose the greatest threat to our spiritual memory:
First, we are in danger of forgetting God in a time of personal comfort (Deuteronomy 8:12): “When you have eaten and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down…” It’s not when we’re struggling to put food on the table that we’re most likely to forget God, but when we’re well-fed and comfortable. Prosperity can breed complacency, leading us to falsely believe that we’re self-sufficient.
Second, we are in danger of forgetting God in a time of corporate achievement (Deuteronomy 8:13a) “…and when your herds and flocks grow large…” Success in our endeavors, whether in business, ministry, or community life, can lead us to attribute our achievements solely to our own efforts, forgetting God’s role in our success.
Finally, we are in danger of forgetting God in a time of collective affluence (Deuteronomy 8:13b) “…and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied…” When we find ourselves in a society experiencing widespread prosperity, it’s easy to lose sight of our dependence on God. The accumulation of wealth can create an illusion of security that doesn’t rely on divine provision.
What Are the Signs That We Have Forgotten God?
Moses outlines several indicators that we’ve fallen into the trap of forgetting God:
1. Failing to keep God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 8:11)
“Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees…”
When we begin to neglect God’s instructions, it’s a clear sign that we’ve started to forget Him. This echoes Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:20, where He commands His disciples to teach others to obey everything He has commanded.
2. Taking credit for what God alone has done (Deuteronomy 8:17)
“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’”
Pride is a telltale sign of forgetting God. When we start to believe that our success is solely due to our own efforts, we’ve lost sight of God’s role in our lives.
3. Serving other gods (Deuteronomy 8:19)
“If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them…“
Idolatry is the ultimate expression of forgetting God. As J.R. Miller wisely notes:
“Anything which we keep in our hearts in the place which God ought to have is an idol, whether it be an image of wood or stone or gold, or whether it be money or desire for fame, or love of pleasure, or some secret sin which we will not give up. If God does not really occupy the highest place in our hearts, controlling all, something else does. And that something else is an idol.”
In our modern context, these idols might take the form of career, wealth, relationships, entertainment, or even ministry success.
The Steps to Forgetting God
Moses outlines a dangerous progression that leads to forgetting God:
- Pride (Deuteronomy 8:14, 17). The journey away from God often begins with an inflated sense of self-importance.
- Self-centeredness (Deuteronomy 8:17). Pride leads to a me-first mentality, where we become the center of our own universe.
- Disobedience (Deuteronomy 8:11). As we focus more on ourselves, we naturally begin to disregard God’s commands.
- Idolatry (Deuteronomy 8:19). The final step is replacing God with other objects of worship.
- God’s judgment (Deuteronomy 8:19b-20)
“I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God.”
The Consequences of Forgetting God
Moses doesn’t mince words about the severe consequences of forgetting God. He warns that just as God blessed Israel for their obedience, He would also bring judgment for their forgetfulness and disobedience. This warning was tragically fulfilled in Israel’s later history, as recorded in the book of Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).
Applying the Warning to Our Lives
In our contemporary context, we must be vigilant against the subtle ways we can forget God. A.W. Pink’s words serve as a sobering reminder:
“The ‘god’ of this twentieth century no more resembles the Supreme Sovereign of Holy Writ than does the dim flickering of a candle the glory of the midday sun.”
We must guard against creating a “god” in our own image, one who conforms to our cultural expectations rather than the true God revealed in Scripture.
To combat this tendency, we should:
- Regularly examine our hearts and actions in light of God’s Word.
- Practice gratitude, acknowledging God’s role in our successes and blessings.
- Cultivate humility, recognizing our complete dependence on God.
- Actively seek to obey God’s commands, even when they conflict with cultural norms.
- Be alert to the idols that our society promotes and actively resist them.
As we confront our culture, let us heed the warning of Deuteronomy 8 and strive to keep God at the center of our lives. May we echo the words of the psalmist: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
CULTIVATE A GOD-CENTERED CULTURE
As we’ve explored the dangers of forgetting God, it becomes clear that actively cultivating a God-centered culture is crucial for our spiritual health and witness in the world. This final section will explore practical ways to develop and maintain a culture that keeps God at the center, both in our individual lives and in our communities.
- Recognize the Current Cultural Landscape
Before we can effectively cultivate a God-centered culture, we must first understand the context in which we live. As anthropologist David Murray observes:
“We have now become the kind of society that in the 19th century almost every Christian denomination felt compelled to missionize.”
This sobering reality reminds us that our task is not merely to maintain a Christian subculture, but to actively engage in mission within our own societies. We live in what many have termed a “post-Christian” culture, where biblical literacy is low and secular values often dominate.
2. Reject the Self-Centered Ethos of Our Time
Our society often promotes a “me-first” mentality, what the sermon notes describe as an “abandonment culture.” This self-centered worldview stands in direct opposition to the God-centered life we are called to live. As followers of Christ, we must consciously reject this ethos and embrace a life of self-sacrifice and service to God and others.
3. Embrace a “God-Culture”
Instead of conforming to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2), we are called to cultivate a culture where God’s commands and precepts form the basis of our lives. This “God-culture” should permeate every aspect of our existence – our relationships, our work, our leisure, and our worship.
4. Practice Regular Self-Examination
Cultivating a God-centered culture begins with individual hearts. We must regularly ask ourselves, “Am I obeying every command of God that I know?” This requires consistent engagement with Scripture and a willingness to honestly evaluate our lives in light of God’s Word.
5. Listen to the Holy Spirit
Developing sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s guidance is crucial for maintaining a God-centered culture. We should continually ask, “What is the Spirit saying to my heart right now?” This involves cultivating a life of prayer, meditation on Scripture, and obedience to God’s promptings.
6. Identify and Reject Modern Idols
Our culture offers numerous potential idols that can supplant God in our hearts. These might include:
- Career success
- Financial prosperity
- Relationships
- Entertainment
- Political ideologies
- Sports
- Family
- Knowledge
- Ministry success
We must be vigilant in identifying these idols and actively rejecting them, always keeping God as our ultimate priority.
7. Foster Community and Accountability
Cultivating a God-centered culture is not a solitary task. We need the support, encouragement, and accountability of fellow believers. As Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts us:
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
8. Engage in Cultural Apologetics
As we cultivate a God-centered culture within our communities of faith, we must also be prepared to engage with the broader culture. This involves developing a robust understanding of our faith and being able to articulate it in ways that defend it with our contemporaries. As Peter admonishes:
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
9. Embrace a Missional Mindset
Like the Israelites entering Canaan, we are called to be a light to the nations. This means viewing our cultural engagement not as a defensive posture, but as an opportunity for mission. We are called to be “in the world but not of it” (John 17:14-16), engaging people with the transformative message of the Gospel.
10. Cultivate a Eternal Perspective
Finally, cultivating a God-centered culture requires us to maintain an eternal perspective. As C.S. Lewis famously wrote:
“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”
CONCLUSION:
As we confront the challenges of our cultural moment, let us remember the words of Jeremiah 9:23-24:
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.’”
Cultivating a God-centered culture is not about withdrawing from the world or creating a Christian bubble. Rather, it’s about living in such a way that our lives reflect the character and priorities of God, serving as a witness to a watching world. As we remember God’s nature, recall His mighty works, guard against forgetting Him, and actively cultivate a God-centered culture, we position ourselves to be salt and light in our generation, faithfully representing Christ in an ever-changing world.
May we, like the faithful Israelites, heed Moses’ admonition and warning, keeping God at the center of our lives and communities as we navigate the complexities of our cultural landscape.
Zambia Hunt 
Leave a comment