"Do Not Be Like Them"

New Testament scholar John Stott pointed out that “do not conform” is a repeated pattern of instruction throughout Scripture. Leviticus 18:3 reads, “You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.” Jesus describes to his followers the practices of the Pharisees and pagans and says, “Do not be like them” (Matthew 6:8).

To live in the new era of life in Christ, we must unmask, dismantle, and discard (repent of) the old deceptions that formerly captivated our hearts and minds, sometimes those that are of the world, sometimes those that are of organized religion. This is a radical call to become committed nonconformists. We must say no to the great illusion of this world in order to say yes to God’s glorious truth. We must choose sides.