OPINION:
In my 20 years as a pastor, I’ve seen a lot of patterns in culture and in the families who have to live in it. I’ve found that many parents don’t realize that they are in a spiritual battle for their kids’ health, purity, and purpose until it’s too late. The battle isn’t just against other kids who may be more athletic or more academic than them in a competitive job market. But we’re talking about a literal battle for their souls.
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The devil wants to do what the Bible warns in John 10:10, he wants to kill, steal, and destroy. But Jesus wants to give life and life to the full. So, how do we guard against that plan of the enemy and embrace Jesus’ life for our family?
The answer is simple but powerful: through the Word of God. Over my decades of pastoring, I’ve seen the decline of people knowing the Bible and the decay in the family and nation. This is why I created the devotional book series called 52 Bible Verses, designed to give you and your family what you need for both defense and offense.
The Bible is a safeguard for you. ts truths surround us and put up a defense against the attack of the enemy. These Biblical principles build a foundation like Jesus talks about that will allow us to weather any storm that comes our way without it destroying our lives.
The Bible is God’s spiritual weapon we can use against the enemy. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, we see Jesus respond to each temptation with the statement, “It is written,” referring to scripture from the Bible. If our families and our kids are going to be able to withstand and advance in life, it’s going to require that we know and deploy the word of God. Later in the New Testament, it says the armor of God has a sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
The key is that we must activate God’s Word in our lives. The Word of God gives us peace, clarity, and strength to stand tall in this era of cultural confusion we have been assigned by God to live in.
If you and your family are going to be able to resist the work of a depraved culture, you’re going to need to make sure your family has a steady diet of getting God’s Word into their lives. Key ways to reinforce this s first, get a personal Bible reading plan going to lead the way for your family. Modeling a love for God’s Word is the first step. Then, commit to finding a great local church in your area.
Choose like Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Getting consistent inputs of God’s Word into your lives and surrounding yourself with a church community will guard and equip your family to fulfill God’s assignment for you here on earth.
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Samuel Deuth is a pastor at Awaken Church in San Diego, California. He also serves the broader Church community by preaching, teaching, and through the discipleship resource called Following Jesus.
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