Dodger: Hello out there! How are you? Lilly and I were talking about something pretty interesting just now.
Lilly: Yes, we were talking about how people like to "fit in".
Dodger: I think it's strange, but I know I've caught myself doing it before. Just the other day I was at a restaurant with some friends, and I ordered exactly what they did, and I really wanted something else!
Lilly: I tried a color for my bow which I don't even like (I can't stand purple) simply because my friends told me it was the cool color. There's nothing like fitting in sometimes.
Dodger: But it comes at a cost. I sacrificed my choice of food, and you your choice of bow, simply because we wanted to be like those around us. I think that's too bad.
Lilly: Unfortunately, it can get worse.
Dodger: What do you mean?
Lilly: I mean when we start to give up our principles so we can fit in.
Dodger: I don't understand.
Lilly: What if one of your friends said something unkind about his sister, but he said it like a joke? Would you do the same thing? You know it's not right to make fun of people, but would you do it because others did as well?
Dodger: I sure hope not, but you have me thinking. It's easy to give in to what we know is wrong when everyone else is doing it.
Lilly: Yeah, but the Bible tells us we aren't supposed to be like the rest of the world.
Dodger: Really?
Lilly: Yes. It's in Romans 12:2, where it says "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (NKJV)
Dodger: Can you explain that for me?
Lilly: It means that we aren't supposed to be like the world around us, but instead renew our mind through the reading of the Bible, so that we can discern what God's will is. You see, the Bible is the only real standard we have for judging what is right and wrong.
Dodger: Isn't the Bible kind of old, though?
Lilly: Yes, but that does not take away it's power. Hebrews 4:12, one of my favorite verses, says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV 1984) No matter how old God's Word gets, it never loses its power. That's why the Bible is so true, and so amazing, and so helpful. It's the only book which we can use as a sort of map for how to live our lives. In Psalm 119:105, someone says to God: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (KJV)
Dodger: That's cool, but it gives me a question. What happens when we try to fit in even when it's not right?
Lilly: Bad stuff. The more you are willing to give up what you believe, the harder it becomes to do the right thing. Galatians 5:9 says it well: "A little yeast leavens the whole lump of dough." (HCSB)
Dodger: What does that mean?!?
Lilly: Well, if you've ever baked bread, then you know how yeast can spread through the dough. The same works for our actions. If we sacrifice a little of what we believe, we end up sacrificing more later on.
Dodger: I see. So naturally, the best thing to do is not try to fit in?
Lilly: Yes. It can be hard, but it's better to be someone who stands up for what they believe in than someone who lets others tell them what to think and believe. This doesn't mean we have to make ourselves look weird and do silly things, though. It means that when others are doing something we know is against God's Word, then it's our job not to do it.
Dodger: That's why it's so important to study the Bible.
Lilly: Right. If we keep studying God's Word, it becomes easier to do the right thing. As Psalm 119:11 says, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (KJV)
Dodger: Wow. Well, it looks like we're out of time. If you've been trying to fit in, switching gears is easier than it sounds. Just do what God's Word says, and don't be so concerned about what others think. It matters much more what Jesus thinks. Thanks for coming today. Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!
Lilly: Adieu!
KJV means King James Version
NKJV means New King James Version
HCSB means Holman Christian Standard Bible
NIV 1984 means New International Version 1978, 1984
Lilly: Yes, we were talking about how people like to "fit in".
Dodger: I think it's strange, but I know I've caught myself doing it before. Just the other day I was at a restaurant with some friends, and I ordered exactly what they did, and I really wanted something else!
Lilly: I tried a color for my bow which I don't even like (I can't stand purple) simply because my friends told me it was the cool color. There's nothing like fitting in sometimes.
Dodger: But it comes at a cost. I sacrificed my choice of food, and you your choice of bow, simply because we wanted to be like those around us. I think that's too bad.
Lilly: Unfortunately, it can get worse.
Dodger: What do you mean?
Lilly: I mean when we start to give up our principles so we can fit in.
Dodger: I don't understand.
Lilly: What if one of your friends said something unkind about his sister, but he said it like a joke? Would you do the same thing? You know it's not right to make fun of people, but would you do it because others did as well?
Dodger: I sure hope not, but you have me thinking. It's easy to give in to what we know is wrong when everyone else is doing it.
Lilly: Yeah, but the Bible tells us we aren't supposed to be like the rest of the world.
Dodger: Really?
Lilly: Yes. It's in Romans 12:2, where it says "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (NKJV)
Dodger: Can you explain that for me?
Lilly: It means that we aren't supposed to be like the world around us, but instead renew our mind through the reading of the Bible, so that we can discern what God's will is. You see, the Bible is the only real standard we have for judging what is right and wrong.
Dodger: Isn't the Bible kind of old, though?
Lilly: Yes, but that does not take away it's power. Hebrews 4:12, one of my favorite verses, says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV 1984) No matter how old God's Word gets, it never loses its power. That's why the Bible is so true, and so amazing, and so helpful. It's the only book which we can use as a sort of map for how to live our lives. In Psalm 119:105, someone says to God: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (KJV)
Dodger: That's cool, but it gives me a question. What happens when we try to fit in even when it's not right?
Lilly: Bad stuff. The more you are willing to give up what you believe, the harder it becomes to do the right thing. Galatians 5:9 says it well: "A little yeast leavens the whole lump of dough." (HCSB)
Dodger: What does that mean?!?
Lilly: Well, if you've ever baked bread, then you know how yeast can spread through the dough. The same works for our actions. If we sacrifice a little of what we believe, we end up sacrificing more later on.
Dodger: I see. So naturally, the best thing to do is not try to fit in?
Lilly: Yes. It can be hard, but it's better to be someone who stands up for what they believe in than someone who lets others tell them what to think and believe. This doesn't mean we have to make ourselves look weird and do silly things, though. It means that when others are doing something we know is against God's Word, then it's our job not to do it.
Dodger: That's why it's so important to study the Bible.
Lilly: Right. If we keep studying God's Word, it becomes easier to do the right thing. As Psalm 119:11 says, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (KJV)
Dodger: Wow. Well, it looks like we're out of time. If you've been trying to fit in, switching gears is easier than it sounds. Just do what God's Word says, and don't be so concerned about what others think. It matters much more what Jesus thinks. Thanks for coming today. Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!
Lilly: Adieu!
KJV means King James Version
NKJV means New King James Version
HCSB means Holman Christian Standard Bible
NIV 1984 means New International Version 1978, 1984
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