Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Spiritual Warfare

August 29, 2004

THE BATTLEGROUND

If anyone with any insight whatsoever takes the time to study and reflect upon the world scene today, he cannot but help but be attuned to the national and international tension that is accelerating at an unbelievably rapid pace. This tension is brought about by the rapidly changing trends that are reshaping society’s values, trends that are anti-God, anti-Christ and anti-Bible – SPIRITUAL WARFARE (II Timothy 3:1-5). Let’s take a look at some of these trends.

1. The spreading influence of the “New Age” movement. This cosmic oneness concept sprang up in the world several years ago and has extended its tentacles like a giant octopus into every area of society – from tolerance and nutrition to nuclear arms.

2. The phenomenal increase of the use of drugs and alcohol in politics, in the armed services and especially among young people.

Statistics from a Department of Health and Human Services national survey of public schools cited in Physician’s Management in Cleveland, Ohio has said that 70% of students in grades seven through twelve have experimented with drugs, many are habitual users. Also 87% of high school seniors drink alcoholic beverages and 40% get drunk regularly. Alarming figures!

Over one-third of students on American college campuses have tried marijuana and one in seven use it consistently. The findings were made public in Washington D.C. before Congress by the National Institute of Mental Health. One of the major points of the survey is that there has been substantial increase in the use of the drug among college students.

Beloved, what a call to pray for our young people that they can truly be “salt and light” among their peers.

3. The acceptance of homosexuality as an alternate lifestyle. The number of gays in the United States is absolutely astounding. What is alarming about this gay trend is that this “alternate lifestyle” is gaining respectability by more and more people who are hetero-sexual.

4. The growing popularity in cultic and occult phenomena.

5. The acceptance of para/psychology as science. The attempt to give occultic phenomena scientific respectability.

6. The obvious connection between Satanism and crime.

I think it is safe to say that we are living in a world that is characterized by conflict of the worse kind. In every area of society there is a tearing down, a destructive force at work. Now this is not a new phenomena that has converged upon the twenty-first century. It is a phenomena that is as old as man. Its acceleration is due to the fact that there is an ever increasing population and we are nearing the end of the age. Let’s face it. Although we are living in the same world of 20, 30 or 40 years ago, there is a sense in which it is a different world. It is a world society that is undergoing a collective transition – not for the better – but for the worse but ---

The Battle Belongs to the Lord!

However, in spite of all this negative phenomena in our culture today, it is encouraging to see new groups forming who are dedicated to taking the Good News of Jesus Christ to the masses. Thousands are being reached for Christ today. Good churches are springing up. The Word Of God is being preached as never before. So folks, while being informed of the world’s trends, let’s focus on the bright side of things. Our God is in control! Praise His Name. “Greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world.” I John 4:4

Love in Christ,