The Power of Influence
It is amazing when we convince someone to accept Jesus, to rethink their ‘anti-organized’ religion prejudice or in some other significant way affect their spiritual walk. Because that is such a world changing moment in that person’s life, the devil hates our influence.
How does he attack? Let me count the ways. He tells us people will laugh at us. He sends mockers to ridicule our words. He warns us we’ll look superstitious of even ridiculous in the eyes of friends and family. He cricizes our abilities, our education, age, gender and position.
For me, he uses age. He constantly tells me I am irrelevant. Not up on current jargon, or cultural beliefs. Out of touch with modern thinking. All I've got to say about that is, “Thank God.”
I remember a time when we respected age; we counted on wisdom and experience and we appreciated the unceasing prayers of grandparents, aunts and uncles and other older people who cared about us. Now our faith-filled elders are ridiculed and ignored. People openly mock Christians.
We've been caught unaware. We had no idea the millennial generation would turn on the people who loved and at times raised them. There has always been a youthful egotism, a belief the world sort of started when they were born. There has never before been a rejection, even hatred, for the people and the nation that supported and nurtured them. They don't simply reject our faith. They use it to blame us for racism, sexism and a whole lot of other ‘isms.
Cultures evolve. Slavery was an abomination and we wonder how people who said they served the Lord were ever able to rationalize that cruelty. It reminds me most species know better than to foul their own nests. Milliniels are fouling their nest. They loath their nation. They skoff at the flag and Patriotism. To them, patriotism equates to supporting racism, sexism and all the myriad things they hate. They somehow overlook the blessings and wealth this country they despise has provided for hem.
That is so bewildering.
When I write, the devil wants me to believe these accusations are correct. They're not. Future generations (if indeed we have future generations) will have a field day with their egotism, demanding we all cater to their philosophies, while they trample other people’s freedoms with selfish and savage disregard. It is asinine to haul people onto the nightly news and headlines for something they said 20 years ago. Unreasonable. Our little millennials better hope that insanity no longer prevails once they discover their errors.
Back to the topic of influence. Don't believe prevailing voices. There are still people lost in our chaotic culture who need to hear our message of hope. They need to know God is not dead. He is very much alive and He is aware of everything that is going on.
This is a war, modern battles fought in digital space, in a prejudiced media still reeling from the 2016 elections. They think they are so locked in now they don't have to be rational.
They need to think again.
As a group we are not evil, racist, sexist or dangerous. Anyone who truly believes these praying conservatives attacked Washington DC on January 6th simply needs a reality check.
They want us to be ‘woke.’ Big mistake. We're awake. It’s a war. Use your influence. Raise you voice. Stand fearlessly against these mobs.