Fitting Into Worldly Patterns: What The Bible Has To Say

Being a Christian teen isn't fun. At least, that's what the world thinks. Because being a Christian means not taking risks and getting in trouble - such as sneaking out, partying, playing the dating game, etc.

The world can sometimes make sin look appealing and make being a "goody-goody Christian" look boring. And being a Christian in high school (or college) in the midst of all this can be difficult, especially when it means you don't have many friends. It can be lonely, especially when you're having to stay at home on the weekends rather than going out and partying like everyone else your age is doing.

Because of this, many people think it's alright to have both lifestyles. They want to be saved, but they also don't want to miss out on all the "fun" - so they convince themselves that going to parties on the weekends is okay, as long as they don't drink or get drunk. They might even spend time with God daily, but they still stress over their appearance and lust over material things.

No, being a Christian doesn't mean you miss out on all the fun. But it doesn't mean that you can have both of these lifestyles either. God has called us to a better life than that, one that focuses more on the spiritual rather than the material. One that sets us apart from the world.

So what does God have to say about this? Well, a lot. I've found some scriptures on the subject that I've decided to put together, because often, it is easy to forget the reward that comes to those who don't get involved with the world. I've listed only a small amount of scriptures related to this subject below, so if you find any more, please let me know and I'll add it to the list.

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"And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd... that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you."

~Ephesians 4:17,20-24

"Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!

~Galatians 6:14-16

"And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it."

1 Timothy 2:9-10

"Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant - dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him."

~Philippians 3:8-9

"Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

~Romans 12:2

"And the seed that fell in the weeds - well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun. But the seed in the good earth - these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there's a harvest."

~Luke 8:14-15

"Stay alert! It won't be long now... when I will personally deal with everyone whose life is all outside but no inside."

~Jeremiah 9:25

"Practice God's law - get a reputation for wisdom;
hang out with a loose crowd - embarras your family."

~Proverbs 28:7

"You're addicted to thrills? What an empty life!
The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied."

~Proverbs 21:17

"There's a way that looks harmless enough;
look again - it leads straight to hell.
Sure, those people appear to be having a good time,but all that laughter will end in heartbreak."

~Proverbs 14:12-13

"You're blessed when you stay on course,
walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You're blessed when you follow his directions,
doing your best to find him.
That's right - you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set."

~Psalm 119:1-4

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it?"

~Matthew 6:27-29

"Young man, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it! Do all you want to; take in everything, but realize that you must account to God for everything you do. So banish grief and pain, but remember that youth, with a whole life before it, can make serious mistakes."

~Ecclesiastes 11:9-10

"Happy are those who don't listen to the wicked,
who don't go where sinners go,
who don't do what evil people do.
They love the Lord's teachings,
and they think about those teachings day and night.
They are strong, like a tree planted by a river.
The tree produces fruit in season,
and its leaves don't die.
Everything they do will succeed.

But wicked people are not like that.
They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
So the wicked will not escape God's punishment.
Sinners will not worship with God's people.
This is because the Lord takes care of his people,
but the wicked will be destroyed."

~ Psalm 1:1-6