USA (MNN) — When cultural values don’t line up with God’s Word, what has to give way in a Christian’s life?
Weston Francis with Hutchcraft Ministries is a member of the Navajo tribe. He knows that cultural preservation is a sensitive topic among his people, who have faced so much mistreatment by people from other cultures.
But Francis stands on Exodus 20:3, where the Lord says, “You shall have no other gods before me.”
“There’s the talk of syncretism, of blending of traditional practices and redeeming of a culture — ‘As long as we slap the name of Jesus on this practice or this dance, it’s okay,’” he says.
(Photo courtesy of On Eagles’ Wings, Hutchcraft Ministries)
“But any culture around the world, the moment the want and need for preservation of a culture becomes more than your love for God, you have already crossed the line.”
Many things can become practical idols in a Christian’s life. Consider your own life, values, allegiances, family traditions, routines, and habits.
“We do it all the time, (with) our phones, our family, the people that we love. This (culture) is just one more thing that we put before God,” Francis says.
“We need to be able to have the maturity and the diligence and discipline to recognize when we’re putting something more before our relationship with God.”
Every Christian on the planet faces challenges to put God first. Join in praying specifically for young Christians in Native America, that they would have discernment and discipline to follow Jesus over the traditions or values of their cultures.
What could God do with a young person fully committed to Him?
“I believe that when God gets a hold of a young Native American, they have an opportunity to reach people that you and I may never ever get to reach,” Francis says. “I think that’s something that’s so beautiful, and that’s something that only God can do.”
Learn what On Eagles’ Wings does to raise up Native American Christians.
Header photo courtesy of On Eagles’ Wings, Hutchcraft Ministries.
