Because of the unseen forces within our world, culture is not a neutral or passive influence. It is constantly applying pressure to move away from God. In order to be faithful, we must acknowledge, identify, and overcome the cultural influences that move us away from God.

There is a stark contrast between the ways of God and the ways of the world. The greater the divergence, the more difficult it is for people to live faithfully for God. The book of Daniel provides a story of a young man who remained faithful to God in the midst of a godless culture. The story of Daniel shows us how to be an influence for God rather than being influenced away from God.