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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Discernment in Cultural Practices</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/d/discernment_in_cultural_practices.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/hebrews/5-14.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/d/discernment.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Discernment in Cultural Practices</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_cultural_engagement.htm" title="Discernment in Cultural Engagement">◄</a> Discernment in Cultural Practices <a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_current_events.htm" title="Discernment in Current Events">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Discernment in cultural practices is a critical aspect of Christian living, requiring believers to navigate the complexities of cultural engagement while maintaining fidelity to biblical principles. The Bible provides guidance on how to exercise discernment, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, understanding, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b>Biblical Foundation</b><br><br>The concept of discernment is rooted in Scripture, where believers are called to distinguish between good and evil, truth and falsehood. In <a href="/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14</a>, the author writes, "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil." This verse underscores the necessity of spiritual maturity and the continuous practice of discernment.<br><br><b>Role of the Holy Spirit</b><br><br>The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in guiding believers in discernment. In <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a>, Jesus promises, "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth." The Spirit aids believers in understanding and applying biblical truths to cultural contexts, ensuring that their actions align with God's will.<br><br><b>Engagement with Culture</b><br><br>Christians are called to engage with culture without conforming to its patterns. <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a> exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This transformation involves a renewal of the mind, enabling believers to discern cultural practices that honor God.<br><br><b>Testing Cultural Practices</b><br><br>The apostle Paul provides a framework for testing cultural practices in <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-21.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:21-22</a>: "Test all things. Hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." This directive encourages believers to critically evaluate cultural norms and practices, retaining those that are good and rejecting those that contradict biblical values.<br><br><b>Wisdom and Understanding</b><br><br><a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6-9</a> highlights the importance of wisdom and understanding in discernment: "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity, guarding the paths of justice and protecting the way of His saints." Wisdom from God equips believers to navigate cultural complexities with integrity and justice.<br><br><b>Avoiding Compromise</b><br><br>The Bible warns against compromising with ungodly cultural practices. In <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14-17</a>, Paul admonishes, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?" This passage calls for separation from practices that are incompatible with Christian values.<br><br><b>Cultural Engagement as Witness</b><br><br>While discernment involves avoiding compromise, it also includes engaging with culture as a witness to the gospel. In <a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Matthew 5:14-16</a>, Jesus declares, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a lampstand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." Believers are to shine the light of Christ in cultural contexts, influencing society with the truth of the gospel.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>Discernment in cultural practices is an ongoing process that requires reliance on Scripture, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the application of wisdom. By testing cultural norms against biblical truths, Christians can engage with the world in a way that honors God and advances His kingdom.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/d/discernment.htm">Discernment</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/discernment.htm">Discernment (43 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/discharge.htm">Discharge (30 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/judge.htm">Judge (297 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/discern.htm">Discern (49 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/discerner.htm">Discerner (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/discerned.htm">Discerned (17 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/appraised.htm">Appraised (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/appraises.htm">Appraises (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/subject.htm">Subject (99 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/judged.htm">Judged (201 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/makes.htm">Makes (483 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/psychology.htm">Psychology</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/spiritual.htm">Spiritual (42 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_cultural_engagement.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Discernment in Cultural Engagement"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Discernment in Cultural Engagement" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_current_events.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Discernment in Current Events"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Discernment in Current Events" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>