As societies become more tolerant and accepting of different beliefs and lifestyles, Christians may find that some of their personal convictions come into conflict with prevailing social norms. This can raise difficult questions for Christians about how to live out their faith while respecting others. Here are some biblical principles to consider when Christian convictions clash with a tolerant society:
1. Examine your convictions in light of Scripture
Not all convictions come directly from the Bible. Some may be based on church traditions, family values, or personal preferences. Christians should carefully examine the source of their beliefs and make sure they align with Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If the conviction stems from a clear biblical teaching, it carries more weight than a preference or church custom.
2. Distinguish between essentials and non-essentials of the faith
Some Christian convictions relate to core doctrines like the divinity of Christ or the authority of Scripture. Other convictions cover secondary issues like worship styles, entertainment choices, or dress codes. Christians should recognize that non-essential convictions have flexibility, while uncompromising on the essentials of the faith (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
3. Balance conviction with compassion
Standing firm for Christian truth must be tempered with Christlike compassion. Believers should speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), gently correcting those in opposition (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Christians can firmly hold convictions while being gracious and respectful toward those they disagree with.
4. Consider context and witness
Some convictions that are perfectly acceptable in private may hinder gospel witness in certain public settings. Christians should think carefully about how adhering to convictions might be perceived by those who do not share their beliefs. Paul modeled adapting to cultural contexts for the sake of winning others to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
5. Accept there may be a cost for convictions
Living out countercultural Christian convictions may come at a social, economic, or legal cost. Jesus told disciples they would face persecution for righteousness (Matthew 5:10). Peter said suffering may come from doing good (1 Peter 3:17). Standing firm in conviction means being willing to accept potential repercussions.
6. Act with wisdom, not reaction
Believers should thoughtfully decide when and how to speak or act according to their convictions, not just react in the moment. Jesus told disciples to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). Christians must seek God’s wisdom in applying convictions rather than responding rashly (James 1:5).
7. Focus on faithfulness, not results
When Christians act according to conviction, they must leave results up to God. Believers are called to be faithful witnesses, even if they see little fruit from their efforts (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Christians can trust God with the impacts when they follow biblical convictions.
8. Pray for grace and courage
Standing for Christ against the grain of culture requires His strength. Believers should pray earnestly for grace to remain steadfast (Hebrews 4:16) and courage to stand firm (Joshua 1:9). God will supply power to live out convictions even when it brings opposition (2 Timothy 1:7-8).
9. Remember that all fall short
Christians with strong convictions must also practice humility. No one perfectly lives up to all their beliefs. Believers should acknowledge their own flaws and need for grace (Romans 3:23; 1 Timothy 1:15). Holding convictions doesn’t make someone superior, only redeemed by Christ.
10. Trust God is sovereign over human culture
As difficult as clashing with culture can be, Christians can rest assured God remains in control. Human cultures change, but God’s truth endures forever (Psalm 117:2; Matthew 24:35). Christians can trust God to work all things for good as they follow Him (Romans 8:28).
Living out Christian convictions in a tolerant, pluralistic society is incredibly challenging. But God equips believers with His Word, Spirit, and church community to filter cultural messages through a biblical lens. Following these principles allows Christians to engage culture, hold fast to biblical truth, and do so with grace, wisdom and compassion for others.
With much prayer, discernment and God’s help, Christians can live as faithful witnesses for Christ even when their convictions violate prevailing social norms. Though it may bring persecution or cost, believers can joyfully surrender the outcomes to God’s sovereign plan.
Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 Peter 3:15-16 – But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Ephesians 5:1-2 – Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Matthew 5:11-12 – Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 17:14-16 – I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
2 Corinthians 10:5 – We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
1 Peter 2:11-12 – Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Romans 12:17-18 – Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Acts 5:29 – But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Philippians 3:20 – But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:18 – For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Hebrews 13:5-6 – Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Romans 14:1-4 – As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
James 4:4 – You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Matthew 5:13-16 – You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Ephesians 4:1-3 – I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
