Navigating a Decadent Culture
Living in today’s world can sometimes feel overwhelming for anyone who is serious about their faith. The culture around us often seems to celebrate self-indulgence, glamorize material excess, and punish those who hold to values of integrity or faith. But did you know these aren’t new problems? In fact, the opening chapter of the Book of Esther, as discussed in Charlie Wallace's recent sermon, offers a surprisingly relevant guide for navigating a decadent culture with courage and faith.
If you're feeling discouraged by the godlessness, excess, and moral confusion of our society, Esther 1 offers hope and practical wisdom. Let's explore three key realities of decadent cultures as revealed in this passage, and how we can respond as people who want to make a positive difference in the world today.
1. Decadent Cultures Celebrate Self
The ancient Persian Empire, as described in Esther 1, gives us a stunning glimpse into a society built on self-glorification. King Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus, was at the center of a six-month-long, self-indulgent feast. This celebration was designed to showcase his power, riches, and glory—nothing was too extravagant.
In the sermon, Charlie Wallace draws a parallel to our world, pointing out that social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are today’s engines of self-promotion. Our culture trains us to build our “brand,” to chase after likes and followers, to constantly make ourselves the main character in our own stories. Influencer culture encourages us to showcase our possessions, our appearance, our travels, and our successes.
But the Bible’s call is radically different. As Wallace puts it, “The Christian life and the gospel is the opposite. Following Christ is about minimizing yourself. It’s about shrinking yourself, it’s about decreasing yourself so Christ can increase.”
The challenge is real. Consumerism drives us to accumulate, constantly upgrading “wants” into “needs.” According to Wallace, consumer spending on luxury goods rises each year while charity and church giving remain extremely low. Our time, energy, and finances get poured into temporary things.
So how do we respond? If you’re a follower of Jesus, this passage urges you to:
Resist the urge for self-glorification. Focus on exalting Christ and serving others.
Regularly evaluate your use of social media. Are you using it to serve, encourage, and build up, or to draw attention to yourself?
Reconsider your spending habits. Are you investing in temporary luxuries, or in things that honor God and help others?
Remember, the values of God’s kingdom run counter to the world’s definition of “success.” True greatness is found in humility and service, not self-promotion.
2. Decadent Cultures Objectify Others
One of the most shocking moments in Esther 1 comes when King Xerxes, drunk and eager to impress his guests, commands his wife Vashti to appear before the crowd—essentially treating her as a trophy to be displayed.
Decadent cultures, Wallace reminds us, see people not as individuals with inherent worth and dignity, but as objects to be used, obstacles to be overcome, or means to an end. The king’s command was a gross act of objectification. When Vashti stood up for her dignity and refused, she risked everything.
This tendency is alive and well in our own world:
People are often reduced to how they look, what they can offer, or whether they fit a certain mold.
Social media amplifies “comparison culture” and the objectification of others, with curated images that reduce complex people to shallow categories.
Even in everyday life, we can be quick to judge, stereotype, or dismiss others based on appearance, background, or perceived usefulness.
The Book of Esther stands as a challenge: Do not see or treat other people as objects. Do not fall into the trap of viewing people as “problems” or “props.” Each person you meet is created in the image of God.
Here are a few ways to counteract this cultural tendency:
Look beyond external factors. Make a conscious effort to see every individual as someone loved by God, worthy of honor and respect.
Build relationships rather than making snap judgments. Take time to listen and understand where others are coming from.
In both online and offline interactions, refuse to participate in any kind of dehumanizing conversations, “cancel” culture, or objectification.
If we are to share the Gospel and influence this culture, it begins by loving people well: refusing to objectify them, regardless of their background or beliefs.
3. Decadent Cultures Punish Integrity
King Xerxes’ court couldn’t tolerate anyone standing up to the king’s commands—even when those commands were unjust. Queen Vashti’s refusal wasn’t just a personal affront; it became a “threat” to the status quo. The king and his advisors quickly decided to punish her, worried that her integrity and courage would inspire others.
This pattern is repeated in our own time, Wallace observes. While modern culture loudly proclaims, “Do whatever you want,” there is often a swift backlash when someone’s convictions challenge accepted norms. Integrity and godly values are often ridiculed, marginalized, or outright punished.
Whether it’s in your school, your workplace, or online, you may already know what it feels like to be “canceled” or pressured because of your faith or commitment to truth.
So how should we respond?
Stand firm. Integrity matters. Pray for the courage to remain faithful to your principles, even when it’s unpopular or costly.
Practice service over self. Find ways to serve others in your community, church, or family, showing with your actions what true greatness looks like.
Honor others’ intrinsic worth, especially those who are different from you. Resist the temptation to judge or stereotype. Build bridges, not walls.
Trust God in cultural chaos. Even when it seems like corruption, injustice, or godlessness reigns, remember that God is always at work—sometimes invisibly, as in the Book of Esther, but His purposes will prevail.
God places people in our paths for a reason. Rather than seeing those around us as obstacles, ask how you might be used in their lives. Pray for discernment and for opportunities to share hope and truth.
Living as Salt and Light in a Decadent Culture
At the heart of Wallace’s sermon is a vital reminder: The world has always been a challenging place for those who want to follow God. The Book of Esther encourages us not to retreat or despair, but to rise to the challenge.
No matter where you live, “this is not your home.” Our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. But until that day, we are called to be salt and light—to preserve what is good in the culture, to shine brightly with compassion and truth, and to point people to a better way.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world, remember that God works even in times of apparent silence or darkness, just as He did in Esther’s day. Your role is not to withdraw, but to live faithfully, courageously, and compassionately right where you are.
How will you choose to navigate the decadent culture around you? For followers of Jesus, the path is clear: Stand firm in your faith, serve others sacrificially, honor all people, and trust God to use your witness for His glory.
If you want to dig deeper into this topic or start your own journey through the Book of Esther, check out your local church or study community today. And remember: As you navigate a decadent culture, you’re never alone—God goes before you and with you every step of the way.
