Reblog: Breaking Free From The Princess Culture
Decided to send out an old post.
I had to stay and hour late for work today, so Idiandn’t have time to write a post. I still want to keep to my weekly post schedule though, so here is a blast from the past. Originally posted last May, this is one of my favorite posts I’ve written. Hope you enjoy!
What Is Princess Culture?
This generation has grown up within what I'm gonna call the "Princess Culture." Most of us grew up watching our favorite princess movies. These movies often — if not always — show a princess following her heart's dreams, no matter what trials come at her, and ultimately achieving her goals. And it's not just princess movies! Almost every story today — whether in book or movie form — has an underlying theme of following our hearts and then all our dreams will come true.
Now I see nothing wrong with enjoying these stories, but the theme of following our hearts that is taught by Princess Culture is definitely something that we need to acknowledge as wrong.
What Is Wrong With Princess Culture?
As Christians, we need to keep in mind that following our own hearts is not a good idea. Even though the world tells us that it is ok to follow our hearts, we need to remember that the Bible tells us that our hearts are deceitful and wicked. These verses in the Bible are just some of the ones which address the sinful nature of the human heart:
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"
(Jeremiah 17:9 ESV)
"For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
(Mark 7:21-23)
"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
(James 1:14-15)
These Bible verses clearly show us that sin comes from the deceitful desires of our own hearts, and that this sin will eventually lead to death! If this is true, why then would we follow the desires of our hearts? We shouldn't!
What Then Should We Follow?
Hopefully you already know the answer to this question. Instead of following our own desires, we need to follow the Lord's will for us. The Bible tells us over and over again to trust in the Lord and follow His will. You can find this command in these well-known verses:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
"And He said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
(Luke 9:23)
God's will is ultimately what we need to be following, not our own desires. And these verses promise us that when we do so, the Lord will straighten our paths.
But How Do I Know What God's Will Is?
The good news is that a lot of the time finding the answer to this question is easy! We can simply look in the Bible and find out what God wants us to do! Here are just a few verses that tell us God's will :
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
(Micah 6:8)
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
(Ephesians 5:15-21)
By looking at these verses we can immediately see what things we shouldn't be doing — getting drunk, acting foolish — as well as what we should be doing —praising the LORD, thanking God, walking in wisdom.
Sometimes, though, finding God's will is not as simple as searching in the Scripture. Times like these would include making personal decisions such as where to go to college and what career to pursue. What are we to do in these situations when the answers to our questions are not specifically laid out in the Bible? That's simple: pray about it!
James 1:5 tells us "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Sister, pray diligently, seeking God's guidance, and He will guide you to where you need to be! Ask for His help in breaking free from the world's Princess Culture. Instead of following your heart, choose to follow what the LORD tells you to do, and God will indeed make your paths straight!
Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father,
I live in a world where people constantly are telling me to follow my heart's own desires. Remind me, Lord, that I need to follow You and not my own heart. Help me to break free of this Princess Culture in which I live, choosing instead to live as a child of the LORD. I pray as David does in Psalm 143:10, asking you to "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!" Oh Lord, show me the paths that You would have me follow; may Your will be done through me.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
Related Songs:
This Is The Will Of God — Forever Be Sure
Wherever He Leads I'll Go — Alan Jackson