Tuesday November 25th, 2014
I started a series of 10 things the Lord laid on my heart to write on, and this topic being number 5. Despite the stance on politics and popular culture, the ways of God and the Word of God stands supreme. To be a Christian is to follow the ways of God... and to follow Him is to believe in Him undeniably...and in doing that you receive blessings according to your obedience and faith and finally in turn you are rewarded by ruling with Him in Heaven.
As a true believer in Christ you must follow Christ undeniably and truly make him your all. Christians have a right in Christ that He will open all the doors needed to succeed in life, because his blessings are not from man who can take it away, but from Him which last forever. (Proverbs 10:22) Greek life is not for the Christian. Jesus does not condone social fraternity or sororities, contrary to popular believe it does not help you move up in life if you truly believe Jesus is your provider and source of all things, He is all you need to move up in life.
So you ask should Christians join a fraternity or sororities, especially if one has eyes set on heaven, the simple answer is NO.
In considering the definition, motive, induction, history and heart behind social fraternities and sororities in and out of academic institutions, they do not line up with the Words of the bible and the heart of Christ. We will also look into Christians who have taken the frame work of secular social Greek organization and stated because "hazing" now is memorizing scripture, it's different. Christians looking for a place to fellowship and create sisterhood and brotherhood was first mentioned in Matthew 16, the "church"..so I think God's way is sufficient enough.
Before going into the background of Greek Organization, those in one and those considering, the first question we ask ourselves is why do we want to join one?
I remember my journey in wanting to join a National Pan Hellenic Council (divine nine) black Greek sorority back at my old university. They looked like the prettiest, most successful girls on campus. Their history and founders were some of the top woman in the professional sphere, worldwide. I loved their colors, and I felt like I bonded with the already inducted members running the chapter on campus. But, I remember one night during the last week before the semester's Rush(A meeting where interested members go to hand in their application to join the org.), I had brought drinks to an invite only girls late night chit-chat with existing members. It started out with casual conversations but soon after, was the typical girl talk happening of gossip and name calling. What became worse was the members were just talking about other members within their chapter and other outside chapters or their organizations. I am sure because I wasn't totally sold out to God I joined in, although I do remember being cordial as I was trying to impress them. But talk about sisterhood, every family fights but to pay into a network of such brokenness to feel accepted and pretty, which the Lord according to my belief, did for FREE on the cross, doesn't really make sense.
I share that story because you have to ask why you want to join one of these organizations. What is your motive? Is it for man's opinions or the Lord's opinion. Let's see what this verse says:
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Your motive matters to the Lord. Especially to join social Greek organizations a lot of us back then, and I am sure many will do this the future, was to fluff up and make the Rush application more impressive. One may put they would like to join to give back to the world or gain leadership experiences, which are all great but in a Greek life context on a college campus that can get lost. As mentioned above my own motives were shallow and dealt with the appearance of the organization because many Greek orgs. do put a lot on the physical and the bible warns of us this.
Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.1 Peter 5:5-7
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
but shows favor to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
The Bible repeatedly encourages humility both in life and in the choice of one's companions. I understand college is a place with many other clubs as well promote instilling leadership qualities in all it's students. But there is a certain arrogance that can come from Greek organizations, which we need to be careful of, even if its not necessarily you yourself as someone that's not humble, but the culture of Greek life is one of rivalry on the surface.
The culture of Greek Life also promotes a life that isn't consistent with the bible, such as partying, binge drinking and the likes. As believers we are to leave our old life and to not be of this world although we are in it. I have been told by people who have now been saved by the Lord, they stay in the organizations to maybe share the gospel with their members, well if the Lord is leading you in that direction go with the leading; but to go to events where the spirit of God is not present, is not wise and that we need to careful with.
1 Peter 4:3 (NLT)
You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.
I know in college the loneliness factor is real. I have felt it, especially if you are dorming and that's when sin can really creep up. So companionship is something we really crave. We need to channel these cravings to seeking people that truly want to glorify God and hearts that reflect the mind of Christ. Although I am going to briefly talk about the idol history of Greek organizations below, many Greek organizations want you to view their members as blood brothers and sisters, even closer than your family. Some organizations go as far as branding with an hot iron (practices that were suppose to be cancelled but aren't), and even exchanging blood by fingers.
The reality for believers in Christ is that our closest relationships must be authentic Christ worshippers and followers, not Greek life members. I know the argument is social Greek orgs are so big, and many orgs span across many states and countries so one can fall into a click of Christians apart from the organization as an all, which is fine, but these organizations promote sisterhood and one person's personality is consistent and can be the face with the personality of the entire organization.
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:24-26
while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Lastly, Greek life is deeply rooted in idolatry and the bible specifically warns us about delving into associations like that.
Deuteronomy 13:6-8
If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known, 7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), 8 do not yield to them or listen to them. Show them no pity. Do not spare them or shield them.
It's been stated that Greek life can be a mystery religion. In a nutshell, these organizations are occult societies because they are secret, exclusive organizations open only to the initiated, hazed, and or pleaded into which still till this day can be very dangerous.
Occult: That which is done in secret;
disclosed or communicated only to the initiated;
hidden from view; of or pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use
or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies.
hidden from view; of or pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use
or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies.
Christians that have formed social fraternities and sororities and tacked on the name of Jesus to it, should not get the argument that everything on earth must be bought back by the Lord. Greek life was never ordained by the Lord, and is a form of idolatry and that needs to be cleared up once and for all.
I love that in this generation, social media and the internet can help solve at least one thing by showing us many successful people that Have not joined any Greek organizations to get where they are, like Dr. Ben Carson for starters! Google him.
I loved when I asked my mentor why she didn't join any, because I consider her successful as a Ph.D candidate, wife, mother, and a Child of God; and she simply stated she just didn't feel she needed to. I totally understood and got it, and I agreed, with Christ as your guide you don't need anyone but Him directing and giving you that support and network you need. Not discrediting a spouse now..lol, but you get it.
No org should be your identity and that is what Greek organizations tend to do with all the gear, and all that. Nothing, and no one including the college or university we go to should be our idol.. What's really worth dying for on this earth, when eventually we will all pass on anyway. We can't hold anything on earth too tightly , but something we must want to think about, strive for, sow money into, time, and souls for is our eternal life. Have you thought about your eternal life? I myself was raised to understand that eternity was real, but never really understood it until actually this date two years ago. I knew that my actions mattered and would be weighed upon my death by a one true God, and that there is a higher being that can shower you with wisdom to help enrich your life, and there is a devil that can shatter and waste your life by following him. I want to give you an invite to gain wisdom and give your life to a God that won't stir you wrong. That will challenge you to live a life with purpose, that will fill your loneliness to not have to pay a large amount of money, or be ridiculed to join an organization that's deeply seeded in unrighteousness, a God that will take away the sins that boggle you down , like porn, sex, stealing, lying, jealousy, and evil speaking, a God that will love you unconditionally in your time of weakness, I want to invite you to say YES to Jesus. I said yes to him two years ago and it was the BEST decision I ever made. Every milestone since then has been of HIS doing, no Greek Org needed, and I have peace and his Blessings add no sorrow!!
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| Princeton's Sexuality, Integrity and the University conference. |
Thank you for reading. As always I am praying for everyone of you. If you have anything to add, on Greek life and the Christian Life, leave a comment below. If you would like to ask me any personal questions, you can private message me on any of my social medias or email me at janet.songonuga@gmail.com. God Bless you!
A recent article on the Matter: http://www.bustle.com/articles/50662-why-the-university-of-virginia-should-ban-fraternities-permanently
From your Sister in Christ ,
