1. Materialism

• Explanation—Matter is all that matters.
• Its Distortion—Deformed view of the world.
• The Snare—I am what I own.
• The Effect—Affluence, accumulation, occupied with things, consumer mentality, neglect spiritual things.

2. Activism

• Explanation—I must fill my life with activity.
• Its Distortion—Deformed view of work. Seeking from work what only God can give.
• The Snare—I am what I do, what I produce.
• The Effect—Neurotic, consuming ministry. Seeking significance from work rather than from the Lord.

3. Individualism

• Explanation—I must depend on no one but myself.
• Its Distortion—Deformed view of self. Produces a me-ism society.
• The Snare—I am the source of my own life.
• The Effect—Loneliness, resistance to authority, inability to work on a team.

4. Conformism

• Explanation—Recognition by others is primary and necessary.
• Its Distortion—Deformed view of the importance or the opinions of others.
• The Snare—I am who others recognize me to be.
• The Effect—Praise dependent, seeking significance from the approval of others.

5. Relativism

• Explanation—It matters not what you believe as long as you believe something.
• Its Distortion—Deformed view of truth. Refuses to recognize revealed truth.
• The Snare—I am whatever I want to believe.
• The Effect—Subjective approach to life, to Scripture; experience oriented, uncertain faith, emotional.

6. Secularism

• Explanation—Man has no need of religion. Man is sufficient.
• Its Distortion—Deformed view of man. Fails to take into account man’s sinfulness.
• The Snare—I am sufficient to handle my affairs.
• The Effect—Sunday only kind of Christian. Fail to integrate God into all areas of life or reject God completely.

7. Religionism

• Explanation—If I am good, go to church, etc., I will be okay.
• Its Distortion—Deformed view of God.
• The Snare—I am okay because of my religious works and activities.
• The Effect—Have some facts about God, engaged in some religious activity, but lacking in inner reality. Fail to integrate God into all areas of life.

Biblical Solutions

1. Materialism

• Biblical Value—Spiritual and eternal values, treasures.
• Responsibility—Renewal, reevaluation, trust in God rather than in things.
• Result—Ability to follow God, ministry, laying up eternal treasures.

2. Activism

• Biblical Value—Christ-directed ministry, His initiative.
• Responsibility—Fellowship, prayer, sensitivity, openness.
• Result—Peace, fruitfulness, rest, absence of burnout.

3. Individualism

• Biblical Value—Body life, co-worker, no man an island.
• Responsibility—Team work, submission to others, loving one another.
• Result—Edification of the body.

4. Conformism

• Biblical Value—Biblical sense of who I am in Christ. Accepted, belong, capable.
• Responsibility—Learn to live as unto the Lord while resting in Him for my significance.
• Result—Content, relaxed, able to love others and put them above self.

5. Relativism

• Biblical Value—Biblical absolutes based on the index of the Bible.
• Responsibility—Objective Bible study based on exegesis, not eisegesis.
• Result—Confidence, divine guidance, knowing truth which gives freedom.

6. Secularism

• Biblical Value—Biblical view of God and man.
• Responsibility—Total dependence on God.
• Result—Experience God in all areas of life.

7. Religionism

• Biblical Value—Finished work of Christ plus obedience.
• Responsibility—Rest in Christ’s work, honesty, openness, worship, faith.
• Result—Ability to truly love God and people.

²⁴⁷ This information was adapted from material in Defeating the Dragons of the World, Resisting the Seduction of False Values, by Stephen D. Eyre, InterVarsity Press.