But our no-s are only utilized when it is convenient or pleases us for we are selfish by human nature. You can be a Christian today quite easily as long as you conform to what the world says you should do, but just try to say NO to the world and refuse to conform and you will find yourself ridiculed, condemned, and/or rejected.
Personal experience proved this to me and it wasn't for a stand on Jesus Christ, but because I didn't believe my kids should have more than 3 hours of tv/ video input a week while they were growing up. You would not believe the heat I took for that stand! See, the world doesn't care what we believe as long as we continue to act like them.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego took an unfavourable stand hundreds of years ago, one that could have cost them their lives. I'm sure everybody there highly encouraged them to bow down and worship the king's idol, but instead they said, "...we will not serve your gods nor worship the golden image which you have set up." (Dan 3:18) In other words, they said NO! No to the world's beliefs, no to the world's practices, no to the world's dictates because they knew the God they served was the only true God.
The world hasn't changed much. They still want us to worship their idols. We can believe what we want, call ourselves what we want, as long as we worship the same idols as they do. What am I talking about since we don't have statues we worship or pray to today? Well, that is only part of idolatry. Idolatry also consists of giving undue honour and regard to created forms other than God, excessive attachment or veneration* for any thing bordering on adoration**.
This can include technology, institutions and pursuits. Some gods we have are money, control, power, drugs, appearances, alcohol, television/ computers, facebook, capitalism at expense of the poor, exploiting the weak, game systems, sex, music, sports, ipods, big houses, new cars, tablets, parties, reputation, 'success', education, cell phones... anything that undue honour or regard, excessive attachment, veneration or adoration are given to (maybe even kids). It's the world that wants us so caught up in things...
But we can say NO!
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind... Rom. 12:2 (all MKJV)
Nor should we be idolaters, even as some of them, as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 1Cor. 10:7
You shall have no other gods before Me. Ex. 20:3
No servant can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Lk. 16:13 (or any other idol)
Do not lay up treasures on earth for yourselves... For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Mt. 6:19,21
*The highest degree of respect and reverence; respect mingled with some degree of awe; a feeling or sentiment excited by the dignity and superiority of a person... Webster's 1828
** to adore-To love in the highest degree; to regard with the utmost esteem,