Discipleship as Resistance: Holding Firm in a World That Pulls You Away

https://podcast.preppedforseminary.com/discipleship-and-christian-resistance/

What’s Pulling You Away from God?

Have you ever felt like life is pulling you in every direction—except toward God? The relentless demands of work, the constant noise of social media, and the pressure to conform—they all work together to shape our desires and priorities. And too often, the world out-coordinates us, making it easier to fall in line with its patterns than to walk faithfully with Christ.

But what if discipleship isn’t just about learning the basics of the Christian faith? What if it’s actually a form of resistance—a way to defy the distractions, temptations, and values that pull us away from God?

In this post, we’ll explore:

  • How discipleship helps us resist the world’s influence
  • Why the world often out-coordinates the church
  • How imitating Christ reorients our desires
  • Why true discipleship requires intentional action

Let’s dive in.

Discipleship Is a Coordinated Effort

The Apostle Paul describes the church as the body of Christ—a unified whole with each part working together (1 Cor. 12:12-27). But in today’s world, the body of Christ often looks more like an uncoordinated teenager—growing but struggling to move in harmony.

Meanwhile, the world is highly coordinated in shaping our desires and behaviors:

  • Social media algorithms keep us scrolling and comparing.
  • Advertising convinces us that happiness comes from what we buy.
  • Entertainment subtly reshapes our values—telling us what success, love, and identity should look like.

While these forces aren’t part of a conspiracy, they are aligned in leading people away from God. And too often, Christians become more adept at coordinating with the world than with the body of Christ.

So, how do we fight back?

Christian Resistance: Holding Our Shape Against the World

Discipleship is more than just avoiding sin—it’s actively choosing God over the distractions and misplaced priorities that dominate our culture.

An excellent image of Christian resistance is a dam:

  • The water (the world) pressures and pushes against it.
  • The dam’s job isn’t to fight the water but simply to hold its shape.
  • If the dam gives way, the water rushes in and destroys everything in its path.

That’s what Christian resistance looks like. We don’t isolate ourselves from the world, but we must hold firm—rooted in the truth of God’s Word.

What Does Resistance Look Like?

  • Choosing to read Scripture instead of scrolling social media.
  • Saying no to over-commitment to make time for prayer.
  • Refusing to conform to cultural pressures that contradict biblical values.

Small acts of defiance add up. Over time, they reshape our hearts, realign our desires, and strengthen our ability to stand firm.

Discipleship Is Imitation: Becoming Like Christ

If resistance is about saying no to the world, discipleship is about saying yes to Jesus. And at its core, discipleship is imitation.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1,
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

He’s not saying, “Follow me.” He’s saying, “Follow me only to the extent that I follow Jesus.”

Who Are You Imitating?

We naturally become like what we imitate:

  • If we imitate the world, we’ll crave what it craves.
  • If we imitate Christ, we’ll desire what He desires.

Think about someone whose Christlike character has impacted you. Maybe it was:

  • Their patience when others lost their temper.
  • Their generosity when they had little to give.
  • Their unwavering trust in God, even in hard times.

Imitation is transformational—not just for us, but for those around us.

How to Reorient Your Attention Toward God

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) doesn’t say, “Go and make converts.” It says, “Go and make disciples.”

And discipleship isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a lifelong process.

Practical Steps to Reorient Your Life Toward Christ:

  • Limit time on distractions (social media, entertainment).
  • Set a daily rhythm of prayer and Scripture.
  • Commit to a small group for accountability and growth.
  • Serve in ways that stretch your faith and reliance on God.

Discipleship isn’t about doing more—it’s about being more intentional with what we already do. It’s about transforming the ordinary moments of life into opportunities to reflect Christ.

Final Challenge: Take Action This Week

This week, choose one step to take in your discipleship journey:

  • One act of resistance (turning away from worldly distractions).
  • One moment of imitation (following Christ’s example).
  • One way to refocus your attention on God.
  • One step to engage in discipleship with your church community.

Don’t just think about it—act on it. Start becoming the disciple you’re called to be.

Reflection Questions:

  • What are the biggest distractions pulling your attention away from God?
  • In what ways has the world out-coordinated your faith?
  • Who in your life has modeled Christ well? How can you imitate them?
  • What’s one practical step you can take to deepen your discipleship this week?

Let’s commit to resisting the world and following Christ wholeheartedly

  • What step are you taking this week?
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If you enjoyed this reflection, share it with someone who needs encouragement today. For more insights and resources, explore the Prepped For Seminary podcast and tools for spiritual growth.