SCRIPTURE AND CULTURE (I)

THE LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

 

DATE: Wednesday, 28th October, 2026

 

TOPIC: SCRIPTURE AND CULTURE (I)

 

MEMORISE

You are the children of the Lord your God: you shall not cut yourselves nor shave the front of your head for the dead (Deuteronomy 14:1).

 

READ: Deuteronomy 14:1-21

 

[1]. “You are the children of the Lord your God; you shall not cut yourselves nor shave the front of your head for the dead.

 

[2]. For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

 

[3]. “You shall not eat any detestable thing.

 

[4]. These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

 

[5]. the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the mountain goat, the antelope, and the mountain sheep.

 

[6]. And you may eat every animal with cloven hooves, having the hoof split into two parts, and that chews the cud, among the animals.

 

[7]. Nevertheless, of those that chew the cud or have cloven hooves, you shall not eat, such as these: the camel, the hare, and the rock hyrax; for they chew the cud but do not have cloven hooves; they are unclean for you.

 

[8]. Also the swine is unclean for you, because it has cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud; you shall not eat their flesh or touch their dead carcasses.

 

[9]. “These you may eat of all that are in the waters: you may eat all that have fins and scales.

 

[10]. And whatever does not have fins and scales you shall not eat; it is unclean for you.

 

[11]. “All clean birds you may eat.

 

[12]. But these you shall not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the buzzard,

 

[13]. the red kite, the falcon, and the kite after their kinds;

 

[14]. every raven after its kind;

 

[15]. the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the sea gull, and the hawk after their kinds;

 

[16]. the little owl, the screech owl, the white owl,

 

[17]. the jackdaw, the carrion vulture, the fisher owl,

 

[18]. the stork, the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe and the bat.

 

[19]. “Also every creeping thing that flies is unclean for you; they shall not be eaten.

 

[20]. “You may eat all clean birds.

 

[21]. “You shall not eat anything that dies of itself; you may give it to the alien who is within your gates, that he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner; for you are a holy people to the Lord your God. “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

 

EXPOSITION

We live in a world filled with diverse cultures, customs, ethics and traditions. These vary widely from nation to nation, tribe to tribe and ethnic group to ethnic group. Elements of culture, such as language, clothing, music and food differ from one people to another, as the saying goes, “One man’s meat is another’s poison.

 

On the other hand, the Scripture refers to the holy and inspired writings that make up the Bible. Despite attempts by various theories to challenge its validity, the Scripture stands as the inerrant God-inspired truth (2 Tim. 3:16). God’s Word often opposes human traditions. Where this happens, we must not bend the the Scripture to fit culture: instead, any cultural practice that negates Scripture mustn’t stand.

PREVIUOS DEVOTIONAL

In some regions, outdated customs persist, such as the shaving of the head for the dead, initiation into elders cults, or restricting new mothers from certain foods. Shockingly, even Bible-believing Christians sometimes adhere to these practices! However, as spiritual Israelites, we are called to be distinct and obedient to God’s commands, avoiding heathen traditions (Jer. 10:1). While the Bible doesn’t condemn all cultures, it rejects those that promote idolatry, mysticism, or superstition. God desires us to embrace cultural practices rooted in truth, honesty and diligence — values supported by the Scripture (2 Pet. 1-5-8; Php 4:8).

 

PRAYER POINTS

 

1. Father, deliver me from traditions that conflict with Your Word.

 

2. Lord, help me stand firm in support of the Scripture when culture contradicts Your truth.

 

3. Pray for more of God’s power and presence in CAC Orogun Region, in the life of our father, the Regional Superintendent, other officers and members at various levels, in Jesus’ name.

 

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:

CACGHB: 458

6 6 6 6

 

1. Lord, Thy word abideth,

And, our footsteps guideth;

Who its truth believeth

Light and joy receiveth.

 

2. When our foes are near us,

Then Thy word doth cheer us,

Word of consolation

Message of salvation.

 

3. When the storms are o’er us,

And dark clouds before us,

Then its light directeth.

And our way protecteth.

 

4. Who can tell the pleasure,

Who recount the treasure,

By Thy word imparted

To the simple-hearted?

 

5. Word of mercy, giving

Succour to the living;

Word of life, supplying

Comfort to the dying!

 

6. O that we, discerning

Its most holy learning,

Lord, may love and fear Thee,

Evermore be near Thee!

Amen.

 

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:

Luke 14-16

 

AUTHOR.

CAC Worldwide.

Remain Blessed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content Credit: THE LIVING WATER- CAC DAILY DEVOTINAL GUIDE

Image Credit: Google.com