As I got closer to God my heart and mind were changing. The few friends I had I enjoyed. I did everything with them; I thought we were best friends. I felt good to have my group of people to belong to. We went out to eat, out to parties, double dates, and shopping of course. As I enjoyed the connections I was having with them, I didn’t know how to tell them I wasn’t comfortable with some things we were into. 

For example, God began to teach me about the music I was listening to. I sang lyrics that were depressing or completely going against the things God stood for; like degrading and belittling women. Not to mention the classic heartbreak song, where the singer is so sad he or she lost their love or is heartbroken. A lot of the lyrics to some of your favorite songs have an agenda. Learn to be a critic and examine what the lyrics or video is promoting. I was learning to be careful – Music can be a form of mediation. It can definitely keep you in a sad, toxic, angry, or depressing place. It didn’t matter how good the beat sounded, or how good the person could sing, or even how much influence the person had; it was just wrong! God was teaching me to let go of worldly things that did not represent Him. 

Music is just one example. I also had to reexamine the way I dressed. Do you know the Bible says not to create a stumbling block for others. I believe God convicted my heart to be mindful of how tight, low cut, or short my clothes were. You have to go to the root. Are you wearing this because it makes you feel more desired, prettier, sexy, or maybe you like the attention. Maybe you fantasize about being the idol of the standard of beauty defined by the media. Perhaps you want to feel like you fit in with the group you want to be part of. Every group has an identity. If you know the way your dressing is causing others to stumble, that alone should cause you to rethink what you’re doing. You can look at your dress attire as an opportunity to be a leader and show others how to express themselves through modesty. 

From one girl to another, men respect modesty. In my experience they will only do what you allow them to do. You hold the standard. If you fuel the guy you’re into by the way you dress or by your appearance because you know you’re portraying an image he will want – rethink. Is he really getting to know the real you? Or is he getting to the image you’re portraying? 

Do not let the world tell you what your image should be. These things can be hard to let go of especially when everyone else is doing one thing and you know you should do another thing. God never said it would be easy! 

 It was hard because my friends were doing one thing, and Jesus was doing another thing. I would rather say yes to Him than say no and have to deal with a guilty conscience. It’s not worth it! 

He gives us the freedom to choose. We don’t get to choose to come into this world, and we don’t choose when our appointed time with Jesus will be. However, we will give an account for our lives. If you believe in Him, then you are His treasures. Continue to lay down the foundation others have already built on and be the light of this world, don’t blend in with darkness. You are a treasure His precious blood paid for.

Also consider Exodus 14:4
4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.

God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh gathered his chariots and his people and they went after the Israelites. Pharaoh wasn’t willing to let them go, he wanted them back as slaves. The world may not let you go so easy, it may be difficult. However, just like Moses, when we feel completely surrounded (as the Israelites did standing at the Red Sea) we need to know we can trust God and stand in His Word and His promises. He is the only way there is no plan B, we will be put in situations that require trust so He gets the glory and so Egypt (the worldly) will see He is Adonai. He will part the Red Sea in your life, but it takes action and trust on your part.

When I decided to really surrender all of myself to Jesus I was happy to do it, it didn’t feel like a burden. If you comprehend the right thing to do but you don’t want to do it, this may feel like a burden. Genuine faith doesn’t feel like you have to, it feels like you want to. If you feel stuck there, I would recommend asking God for help. Don’t be timid or shy about your true feelings to God. Simply ask Him to help you to want to follow His ways, not the worlds.

I can honestly tell you as joyful as I was to run my race and let go of the worldly culture I knew, I thought everyone would get it (especially Christians.) However, I was wrong. You should know that just because someone says they’re Christian doesn’t mean that are, and it doesn’t mean they are in the same place you are in with your faith. I learned not to compare myself with others in this way. As you pull closer to God, the world (the enemy) may try to stop you. Do not let anyone stop you from reaching your true and highest purpose in life, to know Yeshua and to follow Him. His voice is the only voice you should trust. He may speak to us in many ways, but one thing is for sure, He speaks through the Bible – we can trust that.

Question: (Think About It)
What are some things or people you need to let go of in your life so you can be a vessel and the light representing Jesus to others?

Scripture:
Matthew 5:14-16 NASB
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

James 4:4 NASB
4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

*I believe adulteresses in James 4:4 is referring to people who “cheat on God” or dishonor God by not following His statues or commandments – they give their bodies, hearts, minds, souls, and spirits to the ways of the worldly culture by thinking or taking action that is opposite of God’s Word.

Encouragement:
God wants you to study His Words and take action so others may see His reflection through you and me. That’s why we need to be filled with His Holy Spirit. His Spirit will help us carry out His Word. Let your light shine and keep letting go of people, places, or things that cause you to stumble and cause you to feel less desire to follow Him publicly.

Activity:
Make a list of people, music, TV shows, media channels, movies, clothing items, food and drink, wrong attitudes or mindsets, obsession’s, or vocabulary you hold on to that does not represent God.

Ask God to help you to remove these things or people from your life.

Ask God to help you stand for His righteousness and not go along with or participate in the things that oppose Him.