Expecting Victory in Every Valley!

Earlier this month, Father Shenan Boquet posted an opinion piece in Life Site News online. It is one Christians observation of growing darkness in our culture. And his stirring exhortation that Christian’s develop and exercise authentic Kingdom Power.

Consider these excerpts (full article available at https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/st.-michael-the-archangel-pray-for-us):

“… every day Christians are being confronted with ever more extreme moral innovations in the face of which silence or reasonable “dialogue” no longer seems an option… I am far from the only one to note that our culture’s rejection of the old moral consensus is rapidly escalating, and that to even politely resist the new status quo is to make oneself a target of a rage that scarcely seems rational. In the face of such institutionalized evil, a lukewarm faith no longer seems a viable option – only holiness suffices…

C.S. Lewis famously stated that “the devil’s best trick is to persuade you that he doesn’t exist.”… Not only must we open our eyes to and face the tangible evil in the broader culture; so too must we become sensitive to the ways evil is at work far closer to home.

In the absence of prophetic preaching from our pulpits, and as a consequence of a pervasive moral relativism that affects our churches as much as our culture, many Christians have adopted a lukewarmness that blinds them to the spiritual warfare in their families and personal lives.

Some… reading this… have marriages… disintegrating [from] habitual use of pornography; they even have come to justify what they are doing, [blaming] their spouse, or arguing that… pornography use is “normal.” Others… [are] harboring deep resentment over some past injury,,, resentment that has poisoned their relationship with God and with their family or neighbors. Others [are]  consumed by addictions to alcohol, or entertainment, or the pursuit of wealth, to the point that they have become insensitive to God’s voice in their lives.

These “everyday” forms of evil, and others like them, lack the overt sordidness of the horrors we read in newspapers. Nevertheless, they represent ways in which we have become numbed to the presence of evil in our lives, evil that is holding us back from being the saints we are called to be.

… Many Christians have lost the sense of sin in some part of their lives, or even altogether… Everything they see is… a dull monochrome: the outlines of good and evil have faded, and their highest ambition now is to be a “nice” person. The devil has successfully persuaded them that he doesn’t exist.”

Yet… the Lord calls for (and empowers) VICTORY. Amen?

“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Also check out these powerful, biblically-grounded resources: The Wake-Up Call, by John Mulinde. Spiritual Warfare, by Dr. Karl Payne.

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:35)

What say you?

Please post your comments below.

Diana Furr, a.k.a. Abba’s Girl

This blog may have raised questions for you. If you’d like to connect, engage, or get further help from me, you can… EMAIL me at [email protected]; CALL me at 863-446-1660; or request a complimentary initial CONSULT with me at https://calendly.com/diana-furr.

2 Comments

  • Pam Wolf says:

    Revival must begin in our own hearts first. Seeking God – seeing our own sin the same way God does – then surrendering to that continuing good work that he wants to do in our lives. When pointing the finger at sin…it must first be pointed inward at ourselves. As for me…I have plenty to do in me to keep me busy for along time to come.

    • Diana Furr says:

      Amen, Pam. I couldn’t agree more. I love how St. Francis of Assisi put it: “Always preach the Gospel; and when necessary, use words.” How we live the Lord’s Good News — acknowledging our own sins and desperate need for Him, truly surrendering to His transforming grace — can become a beacon of Hope. Living transformed lives that don’t conform to the world’s patterns (Romans 12:2) begs the question, “Why are you like this?” Speaking Truth in love, we can then use words that point people to Jesus.

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