Sometimes there are those who think the call to live holy is not possible because of the level of moral decadence in the world. I would like you to know that God is more aware, in detail, of the physical setting you are in than you are. He tells us that we live amidst a crooked and twisted generation (Philippians 2:15). He sent us as sheep in the midst of wolves (Matthew 10:16). While the situation is like this, you can be different. From John 17:16 we know that though we are in this world, we are not of this world. This means the conditions of the world should not become an excuse to living desecrated lives. God has not left us without examples of those who by God's help walked in victory in the midst of corrupt societies. One of such is Noah as presented in our opening scripture. Genesis 6:5 depicts the condition of the society in Noah's days, "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually". This grieved the Lord. Genesis 6:11 says, "The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence". While this was the situation, Genesis 6:8 (MSG) declares, "But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah". This shows that you can be different in a warped generation.

1 Samuel 2:17 (NIV) presents a setting in Samuel days, "This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord's sight, for they were treating the Lord's offering with contempt". Amidst this corrupt environment, 1 Samuel 2:18 (NIV) tells us, "But Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod". As Samuel and Noah were different, you too can be different.

Romans 15:4 (NIV) declares, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope". Be encouraged by those who experienced victory, still honoring God amidst wicked and morally twisted societies. Don't faint because of the challenges around you, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. God's grace is sufficient for you to be different in this world, living soberly and righteously.