Culture Wars

I n the world today, culture wars conflict between social groups with competing values, beliefs, and practices. They have caused significant societal disagreement and polarization. Culture wars are not new, and as Christians, we know the Bible tells us about these conflicts from spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:12. Standing firm in these times puts our biblical values and beliefs at enmity with the world’s culture, presenting us with a choice. We can either back down and abandon those beliefs or hold steadfast to them.Similarly, in Luke 4:5-8, Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. His response showed us how, as Christians, we are to stand firm and engage the enemy.

In John 16:33, Jesus said, “In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Tribulation, or trouble, will happen and can come in many forms like loss, tragedy, pain, and distress. When these feelings or situations come, it can become a “stumbling block” that causes you to change your stance from firm ground to shaky ground. How do I overcome trouble? Jesus follows up by saying, we should “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” This means that we should have hope and not a heavy heart because He has defeated the evil principalities and powers over this world, and they are subject to Him. While I may not be able to deny feelings or outcomes that may come with trouble, as a believer in Christ, I know by faith that God hears us, sees us, and is always in control, even when we are not. He has “plans for our good” like Jeremiah 29:11 says, and enlists the Holy Spirit to help us through all things referenced in John 16:13-15.

In Romans 8:35-39, Paul recognized that tribulations or troubles might distract us from focusing on God’s plan. He asked, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” He even gives examples of the type of troubles we might encounter like anguish, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword. So how do I stand firm against the distractions brought about by the enemy and stay focused on what is ahead? I start by trying to keep in a state of readiness by putting on “the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” referenced in Ephesians 6:10-18.

Here are some other tangible ways that help me stand firm.

• Having open and honest communication with God through daily prayer
• Reading the divinely inspired, inerrant Word of God on a consistent basis
• Staying involved in church, including regularly attending service and giving
• Not dwelling on my own situation, but ministering to the needs of others
• Being an “influencer” for the Gospel by sharing my faith
• Having hope
• Being sure to get rest to recharge physically and mentally

“Stand Firm” is a call for Christians to refuse to compromise on the Word of God in response to a world that wants to keep you from standing your ground and instead wants you to give in and worship it. As Christians, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” according to 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. God will not let us face this alone. He has given us His Word and through the in-dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to guide, support and empower us. I encourage you with 1 Corinthians 15:58 that says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” For in Christ, we can stand firm. We have His blessed assurance of victory both now and for eternity!