The Battle of Conformity

One of the greatest battles of our time is taking place because men seek conformity.  In the past, men like Hitler, Mussolini, and Mao were oppressive outwardly, lording it over their subjects to bring conformity.  Though tyrants like them still exist, there is a spiritual tyrant that is much more subtle.  Setting up images of perfected leaders, satan accuses all who are not just like them.  In exalting men to men, he opens the door to intimidate all who are not like the leaders.

We are influenced through books and speakers, music and magazines.  When the ways of successful men and women are taught as being God’s ways, the Accuser tears down our own personal following of God so that we will want to be like the successful people.  If we are in ministry and having trouble starting, he will tell us that there is something wrong with us.  If our relationships have troubles he will tell us that the problems are originating from some hidden sin we have inside.  So close are the lies satan tells us, that we cannot gain the perspective we need to crawl out from under his oppression. 

Paul wrote;

“When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” (2 Cor 10:12)

Neither measuring ourselves nor trying to be like others will lead to wisdom.  In fact, those who believe that they have value before God as individuals will develop insight into their nature as God nurtures and raises them as sons and daughters.  Those who hold to the vision wrought by what God has personally spoken to them daily will be molded into His image, and not the image of successful leaders.

When men fail to support and encourage each other, those who are not in the image of the leader will be left out of the fellowship.  This lack of acceptance leaves the believer to wonder what he or she did wrong, and much introspection about their nature.  And this begins the onslaught from the Accuser of the Brethren.  Often the “outsider” is labeled as being rebellious and those who remain in the image of the leader pat each other on the back for being in unity.  But the Holy Spirit does not need conformity to bring unity.  He, the Holy Spirit, seeks individuals who want to be built into a spiritual house through love and obedience.

If there is any question as to satan’s tactics of division in overcoming God’s people, we should look at the book of Revelation.  Each of the seven letter to the churches encourages individuals to overcome, and gives individual rewards.  In some churches, there are divisions between those who are doing good and those who are doing evil.  There is no chastisement about them not all doing the same thing, conforming to each other.  There is no blame for those who hold out for purity of faith against those who compromise and soil their garments.  In each church to which Jesus speaks the message is for individual overcoming so that the church as a whole will stand victorious.

Each man and woman must stand for their faith, being true to what the Lord has personally spoken to their hearts.  This will bring a great oppression from satan, but it should not bring oppression from men.  We need the gifts and nurture to grow up into the unity of the faith, and those gifts, and that unity can come from each other.  But let us put comparisons aside lest we cause ourselves and others to lose the good fight of faith . . . that fight that is brought on by the Accuser of the Brethren.  Amen.