Living by God’s Standards to Shape Culture
Devotional week 8
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will" Romans 12:2 (NIV)
The director of Tent International, Steinar Opheim, once shared a remarkable story from his time in Central Asia. In that country, corruption was a normal part of life, and many people struggled to find honest work. Wanting to make a difference, he and his team started a microfinance institution to help people grow small businesses. But they did not just want to provide financial support—they wanted to do business in a way that honored God.
From the very beginning, they made it clear that bribery would not be tolerated. Any staff member caught taking a bribe would be dismissed immediately. This unwavering commitment to ethical standards soon caught the attention of the community. People started noticing. Word spread that Christians were running the institution with honesty and integrity. Some clients, curious about what made them different, even started asking questions about Jesus.
Steinar recalled a moment when a client offered him a bribe, promising to give him $100 in exchange for approving a $500 loan. Steinar refused, saying, “I cannot do this because I am accountable to my Almighty God for my actions.” The client, a Muslim man, immediately acknowledged that Steinar was right.
The culture in that society had long normalized corruption, but this team refused to follow the crowd. They chose to honor God’s Word as their ultimate authority, even when it went against the norms of the workplace and society.
The world around us has its own standards, and sometimes they do not align with what God says is right. It can be tempting to go along with what everyone else is doing, especially when it seems like the easier option. But Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to the world’s way of thinking. Instead, we are called to live differently, allowing God’s truth to shape our choices.
Choosing to live with integrity may not always be easy. It might mean standing alone, refusing to take shortcuts, or saying no to opportunities that do not honor God. But when we stay faithful to His ways, people notice. Our lives become a testimony that points others to God. And over time, by staying true to His Word, we can help shape the culture around us for His glory.
Challenge
Consider one area of your life where cultural norms conflict with biblical values. This week, take a bold stand for what is right, trusting that your actions will honor God and inspire others.
Prayer
Lord, teach me to live by Your Word, even when it is difficult. Help me to reflect Your truth and integrity in all I do, and use my life as a testimony to draw others closer to You. Amen.
For further study, you can read Steinar Opheim’s full article, “Why on Earth Did God Create Work?” on the Tent International blog: https://tentinternational.org/tent-blog/why-on-earth-did-god-create-work.