It isn’t all that easy to define the word “culture.” All of us participate in culture, one way or another. Culture has to do with civilization. Culture concerns a state of civilization of a particular people and at a certain time. Art and recreation are part of this culture. The culture is exposed to continual spiritual influence.

Culture is influenced by spiritual powers. People make culture. They are designers of culture. And there is something very beautiful about that. The composition or performance of a fine piece of music gives satisfaction. The creation of a beautiful painting or sculpture gives joy.

Working together in a company or business can be a big part of finding fulfillment in life. There is something beautiful in political involvement. It is the purpose of leisure time that people find relaxation and satisfaction in it. We have the calling to develop and to rule over the earth. Heedful care and development is a matter of culture. We even have the command from God to be culturally occupied.

We are all culturally active. That is so even when we are busy with household tasks. This is applicable whenever those of us who hold public office perform our tasks at public functions with the accompanying publicity. It even applies in a certain way when we meet as a congregation. There is such a thing as a church culture. But this is an aside, since that is not our topic at this time, however interesting the study of church (gathering) culture may be.

Powers of the Occult⤒🔗

Let’s dig the spade deeper into the cultural ground. There is always a continuous spiritual influence working in the realm of culture. The Bible states that Satan is the ruler of this world. Jesus Christ broke the power of the devil, but did not take away Satan’s power to exert his influence in this world. He can make his influence in the world count. In this world we have culture. Culture is a way of living with each other. The arts, technology, sports, science, knowledge, and so on all belong to culture.

Together we give form to the culture. Everyone contributes in his own manner and has its own input. However, cultural expression never occurs in a vacuum. Culture is not independent of values. The expression of culture is always dependent on spiritual values. Someone who is engaged in hard rock is motivated by different values than someone who in his expression of culture strives to honour God and promote the wellbeing of the neighbour. Satan does everything in his power to influence the culture that is practised in this world and to bring it under the influence of his power. So we see that the realm of darkness influences culture. If we do not oppose those spiritual powers of the invisible realm of darkness, our whole culture will be influenced by those powers. The occult becomes part of culture. All of culture becomes territory occupied by occult forces.

This world is in wickedness. This comment is intolerable for those who insist that man is basically good. They maintain that it is the people who do good and bad deeds. That is true. Responsibility has never been removed from people. But the Bible does not assume that man is good in himself. The Word of God speaks at a much deeper level. The very nature of man was spoiled through sin. When man is left totally to his own devices, he begins to do strange and wrong things. Spiritual forces work within the man. In the Scriptures the devil and his kingdom are a reality. The realm of darkness and evil is a reality that cannot be underestimated in any way. There is a continuous spiritual battle against the realm of the evil one.

Strategy←⤒🔗

We cannot help but conclude that the culture of the world is under the influence of powers in the air. They endeavour to work in the sphere of man’s work and thought. To this end, they use various methods and strategies.

The Bible makes us attentive to these methods. Paul writes about Satan, “For his methods are not unknown to us.” Satan’s main strategy is to create division through influence. The chief division that Satan tries to accomplish is a division between people and God. He already began this in the Garden of Eden. Satan tried to bring division between Jesus Christ and God, between the Son and the Father (think, for example, about the temptation of Jesus in the desert). Now he endeavours to work division between people and God and also among people. He is an expert at this. Satan is the great demolisher.

We must not think of “occupation” of cities and villages by devilish troops as is illustrated in some novels. One can think, for example, of the fascinating novels of Frank E. Peretti. However, this kind of speaking goes beyond what Scripture teaches.

The work of Satan is happening everywhere in the world. He has access to all people anywhere in the world. In this world, he has not been denied a single terrain.

We can, however, arm ourselves against his spiritual influence. That can happen only through another spiritual influence, namely, through the Word of God.

When Satan has gained access to a person, he will not let go unless a stronger force is brought to bear against him. Satan endeavours to bring a person totally under his influence. The ultimate form is demonic possession.

Satan begins by presenting that which is forbidden and dangerous in a tempting manner. He awakens desire. When we give in to desire, we sin. When we proceed on that path, the devil tries to bind us more and more to that path. This is always the beginning of enslavement, whatever it is. In this way prostitution is maintained, this creates addiction to alcohol and drugs, addiction to pornography, and enslavement to money to the extent of fraud and criminal activity.

Wherever good words about Satan are spoken and sung, we can recognize a direct revelation of the occult in our culture. That happens in pop music, in hard rock, in “worship” of Satan, in satanic churches, etc. Wherever evil reigns, we have a direct manifestation of the devil and his evil kingdom.

Satan is only truly in his element when he can murder and kill. This does not exonerate man from the responsibility of his abominable deeds. The Nazi Reich was a satanic empire. The annihilation of six million Jews is one of the atrocious deeds of the devil, for which, by the way, the Nazi rulers remain totally responsible. The realm of the devil’s kingdom includes all kinds of occult games. As parents we must guard the games of our children. In many computer games there are elements that belong to or are associated with the realm of evil. We may not let our children get used to this.

Spiritism, conjuring up spirits, the belief in reincarnation: all this is led and influenced by Satan. Whoever engages in these things surrenders to the devil. They sell their souls to Satan.

Discipline←⤒🔗

Biblical norms must also be applied in our participation in culture. As Christians, therefore, we cannot participate in every form of culture. The test that must be applied is: if my faith and trust are challenged, if doubt is encouraged, if the atmosphere is not pure and holy, I must not engage in those activities no matter how highly they are praised and promoted as culture.

One who is solidly grounded in the Word of God and in prayer lets himself be led by the Spirit, finds his way in culture and knows how to say no. We will no longer feel a need for much of what is presented to us as culture. This is not because we are opposed to culture, but because we know another kind of fulfillment, that which is based on the kingdom of God. We see around us how everything becomes more aggressive: e.g., the rude intrusion of advertisements throughout the day, even on Sunday. That which is presented to us as culture on the television is usually substandard.

We need to be aware of and experience being strangers in this world. We are on the way to another homeland. We are expecting the kingdom of God with its perfect culture of perfect service to God. The kingdom of God will be full of culture that glorifies God and that delights man. There is no doubt about this.

We may enjoy culture. We may enjoy creativity, in a variety of forms. Artistic talent is a gift of God. What is important is what we do with that talent and in whose service we use those talents. Let us make it totally clear to our children why we can or cannot do something. The standard is the Lord Jesus Christ and his work, the honour of God. It is not easy, but it is necessary to develop a good ability to discriminate, for Satan goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. And sadly, he devours many.

Also in our participation in culture, prayer remains topical: and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.