Assimilation

As with many such concepts, assimilation can be good or bad, depending on how it plays out. Attitudes, choices, and the situation all have a part. The Bible is full of both good and bad examples of assimilation. It's why God told the Israelites not to marry women from other nations and religions when they got to the Promised Land after their forty-year trek in the wilderness. He didn't want them to assimilate those cultures and start worshipping foreign gods. Of course, all too often, they did it anyway. Even Solomon, the wisest man to live, was led astray to worship idols by his foreign wives. It wasn't they were foreigners, but they were pagans, not believing in the one true God. We are not to be unequally yoked. 

This may have also been why the Israelites escaping Egypt with Moses were so hard-hearted and had Aaron build them an idol to worship when Moses stayed on the mountain longer than they thought he should. These people had been born and raised in Egypt, as had their parents. They'd assimilated too much of the Egyptian culture, and it caused them to lose their closeness with God; it caused them to sin.

The Israelites were conquered by other nations and taken into captivity several times. Again, they began to adapt to that culture and to even enjoy it. For example, when King Artaxerxes allowed the Jews to return to their homeland, many chose to stay behind in Persia instead. They wanted to stay where they were instead of going back and rebuilding their lives based on their heritage, Jewish customs, and God's Word.

Even today, many Christians (and sometimes whole churches) have assimilated worldly values and cultural laxness instead of adhering to God's principles. They rationalize their backsliding or ignore the situation altogether. It's easy to do without even realizing it, and Satan will grease the slopes. As the Bible tells us, we must be vigilant and faithful. Look at yourself. Can you see areas of your life where you have slipped from standing steadfast in your faith? It's not too late to make any needed changes, and the Holy Spirit will gladly help you. We can repent and begin anew. Instead, let us assimilate the things of God and become more like Christ.

______________________________