Pastor Steve is on Sabbatical, we thank Pastor Isaac Martin for today’s contribution.

A few weeks ago, Pastor Steve used a creative illustration in his sermon about who is shaping us. As Steve pointed out, you don’t get a purple dinosaur if you have green Play-Doh and a Christmas tree cookie cutter. You need the right mold and the right color of Play-Doh to get the right result. This spoke to me in a powerful way. This is the third time I’ve tried to communicate what I believe the Spirit has been putting on my heart regarding this issue. Evan Kersteetter and I tried recording twice on this topic and scrapped both attempts, so here is round three: we need to be careful who is shaping us.

We live in a different age, where suddenly it has become cool to be a Christian again, at least for some. Gone are the days when secularism and atheism ruled the day. Religion is on the rebound; there is no doubt about it. But what does that mean for those of us who are seeking to faithfully follow Christ? I’m not going to name-drop, because the people who come to mind are real people who may be true seekers, baby believers, or Christians with a different perspective. My heart is that they are growing in the faith and in their understanding of the gospel. But to say the least, Christians need to be on guard. Matthew 7:15-16 says, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” Acts 20:29 says, “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.” The reality is that some who claim the name of Christ while it is currently trendy will not truly submit to Him as Lord and Savior.

Because of these warnings in Scripture, we should pause—not primarily because of those we hope are coming to Christ, but because of those who are shaping us. In our culture, influencers are often leading this renewed interest in religious faith. When musicians, podcasters, athletes, politicians, and others profess faith in Christ, we can celebrate the truth being shared, pray that they grow, hope it is a sign of revival, and yearn for God’s glory through repentance and the slowing of cultural decay. But often this celebrity Christianity is marked by little to no fruit, or even by a lifestyle that stands in total affront to the gospel. Perhaps even more important, it is sometimes devoid of gospel clarity. It may embrace the benefits of Christian ethics, teaching, and community while rejecting or failing to accept the atoning work of Christ and the reality of the resurrection. The people you follow, listen to, and are influenced by are shaping you. They are your mold. And yes you are the play dough.

Isaiah 64:8 says, “We are the clay; you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Only One has the rightful place to shape us into who we were created to be. As the body of Christ, God will use others to help conform us to the image of His Son (2 Cor. 3:18). Be careful whose mold you climb into. The danger is letting yourself be shaped by someone who doesn’t believe the gospel—someone who loves Jesus as a teacher but not as Lord, Savior, and King. We are now living in a segment of culture that celebrates proximity to Jesus, but proximity is not the profession that matters. What matters is possession of an intimate relationship with Jesus. If we miss this, someone may shape us and, by proximity, influence us away from the gospel and away from Christ toward confusion, discouragement, foolishness, or even apostasy. Josh Howerton shares that as Christians, “we should instruct the wise, correct the foolish, and drive out the evil.” Is our mold doing that? And are we doing this for others?

Most practically, 1 Corinthians 14:33 says, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”

2 Peter 2 also warns us that there will be false teachers among the people of God.  And 1 John 4:1 says to “test the spirits.” Guard who you give soul-shaping currency to. Minimally, the wrong influence could confuse you and rob you of courage. More significantly, it could lead you astray and rob you of gospel joy and clarity. If you are feeling confused, uncertain of your role models, or unsure how you may have been molded toward the world instead of being conformed to the image of Christ, prayer is the answer. Recently, I experienced an overwhelming moment of doubt that felt like it descended on me—yes, it happens to pastors too. Thankfully, instead of dwelling on it, I uttered the words, “God, strengthen my faith,” and immediately felt empowered by God’s strength. If you are struggling with doubt, fear, confusion, or something else, I’d encourage you to ask the Potter for the opposite of what you are experiencing.

Lord, strengthen my faith. Surround me with truth. Conform me into Your image. May peace fall upon me. May courage well up in me. Drive doubt from my presence. Cast temptation out of sight. May clarity fill my mind. May confusion fade away. Direct my steps. Protect my thoughts. Guard my lips and my heart. Overwhelm me with Your presence. Grant me Your will. Empower me with Your Spirit. Go before me. Shield me from the evil one. Come, Lord Jesus. Show Yourself strong. Set us free from sin, death, and the enemy. Help me discern. Help me fight the good fight. Help me be victorious. Lord, help me.