http://grant-phillips.blogspot.ca/2013/03/monkey-see-monkey-do.html
by Grant
Phillips
What
causes trends? Basically trends are caused by people mimicking others because
they
don’t know how to be their own person.
Fashions
are a good example. Certain clothes, or lack thereof, are fashionable because
we want to be like other people. “This is what everyone is wearing.” The
marketing industry knows this. They come out with something different from the
previous line, so they can make more sales. They parade these new fashions on
the “runway” by models. The “elite” purchase. The followers follow.
Whether
its tattoos, pants hanging down to ones knees, long hair, no hair, spiked hair,
colored hair, males with earrings, women in men’s clothing (and vice versa),
new car in the driveway, three bath house as opposed to one, etc., societal
people have a “monkey see, monkey do” frame of mind.
When our
favorite Hollywood “star” is a moral pervert, we think that’s okay, and why not
I? When our favorite band or singer performs trash and lives the same, we say,
“Hey, that’s what I want.”
If we
are so determined to be like someone else, why not start at the top instead of
the bottom? We can’t expect the world to follow Jesus, but He should be the one
every Christian would want to model their life after.
Jesus
said,
“…
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
“…
Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” (Matthew 8:22)
“… If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and
follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
“My
sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (John 10:27)
“If any
man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant
be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:26)
It is
very clear that Jesus wants us to be like Him. He says repeatedly, “Follow Me.”
Maybe it would be smart to adjust our lifestyle to fit what Jesus would expect
from us, not what the world expects from us.
Let us
not concentrate on what we wear or how we look, but on what occupies our mind.
If our outer appearance needs correcting, it will come from within. By
following Jesus, we will be more like Him than the world.
“Put on
the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour
of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having
on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel of peace;
Above
all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication
for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:11-18)
When we
put on the whole armor of God, we follow Jesus as He instructed us, and
something else automatically happens. We are not as accepted by the world. We
may not be accepted at all. We may be even hated.
“If the
world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
When
following Jesus, be prepared to be excluded from the “in” crowd. Very few
people, even among those who “profess” Christ, can’t take the pressure of being
excluded from what the world perceives we should be.
Even
among professing Christians, peer pressure can often get in the way of that
which is contrary to God’s will in our lives. Yes, that’s right. Believe it or
not, not all Christian’s are models of following Jesus. That isn’t to say some
of us are perfect either. None of us are perfect. I repeat, none of us will
ever measure up to His standards, but He is the measuring tool we must use.
If we
are serious about following Jesus Christ, then we need to follow a different
standard, and that standard is exemplified in the Son of God.
How
should I dress? What should I listen to? What should I read? How should I act?
We could make an endless list of things we should change, but if our heart
isn’t changed, it won’t matter. Then we just become a person who is judgmental
of others because they aren’t as perfect as we think we are. I’ve seen many
Christians who are just as demanding as the world. The world wants us to be
like it. Some stodgy Christians want us to be like them. Both are wrong. We
should be like Jesus.
By
following Jesus, we are transformed from the inside where it counts. He will
then take care of the outer dressing, if it’s necessary. If we are going to
have a “monkey see, monkey do” attitude, let us at least direct it in the right
direction, not toward the world, but toward the Holy Son of God, Jesus Christ.
“Sanctify
yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus
20:7)
“But as
he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Grant
Phillips
Email
grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture
Commentary http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture
Ready http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html
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