Every generation of Christians must communicate the essential doctrines of our faith to the next generation in ways they can understand (Psalm 78:1-4). By every measure, the past two generations have failed in their assignment. Youth and young adults of the 21^st century are turning their backs on Christian beliefs at alarming rates. According to a recent survey by Lifeway, if the trend continues, 70% of our youth will not identify as Christians by 2030. 

A.W. Tozer was spot on when he said: Today’s Christianity is not transforming people; it is being transformed by the people. It is not raising the moral level of society; it is reflecting the moral level of society and congratulating itself that society has accepted our surrender.

 Tozer said that 60 years ago.

If we are to protect the essential doctrines of the Christian faith today and preserve the true gospel of Jesus Christ for the generations of tomorrow, we must forsake a self-centered fantasy of finding fulfillment in the things of this world. It’s time to unite with other believers in the battle for truth!

The battle for truth constantly rages around us. Satan uses as his mouthpiece those who preach a heretical theology-a false gospel-and the doctrine of demons. This can be seen in recent displays of Satan worship (i.e., the 2022 Common Wealth Games Opening Ceremonies, the 2023 Grammy Awards). To some degree, false teachers have wormed their way into every Christian denomination, church, school, college, seminary, and media outlet. By using Satan’s power of deception with false miracles and false visions, they lead immature believers away from the truth to embrace the enemy’s lies.

In Jude 8-15, the Apostle profiled false teachers as apostates who professed faith in Jesus Christ without a transformation of their minds. There was no regeneration of their spirit and their lives were not changed. They said they were saved, but they remained lustful, lascivious, lewd, lawless, insubordinate, defiled, greedy, materialistic, self-centered, shameless, proud, sensual in their character, and devoid of the Holy Spirit.

Satan intentionally uses humans to carry out his agenda. In Ephesians 6:10-20, the Apostle Paul explains, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood,” but instead we are at war with the evil powers behind them. Paul further states in 2 Corinthians 10:4, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

The Lord told us these days would come. So did the Apostles Paul, Peter, and John. Jude said those days are now here; and, if we are to win this battle for truth, we must remain faithful to our confession of faith by the consistent study of God’s Word and reaching out to those who have been or could be captured by the enemy. We must boldly confront them with the biblical truth that counters every lie Satan uses to deceive them.

In verses 22-23, Jude said, “On some have compassion, but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” James 5:19-20 says, “If any among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”

As Dr. Francis Schaeffer stated, “As Christians, we are locked in a battle. This is not a friendly discussion, but rather, it is a life and death conflict between the spiritual hosts of wickedness and those who claim the name of Christ.”

How do you view your role in today’s battle for the truth?

• Are you an engaged soldier in this battle?
• Are you willing to die to yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Christ, regardless of the cost?
• Are you fully surrendered to the Lordship of Christ?
• Do you view your personal daily communion with God and your weekly worship of Him with other believers top priorities in your life?
• Do you see yourself as a bold witness of God’s power to transform a sinner into a saint so that everything you say and do brings glory and honor to Jesus? 

Beloved, the power of God and the power of Satan are not equal opposites. Our God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient (all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing) but Satan is omni-nothing (zilch, zero, nada). Therefore, if we are in Christ, and Christ is in us, then greater is He that is in [us] than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). The time has come for every truth-bearing, born again believer to put on the whole armor of God and stand up against the wiles of the devil. The battle for truth is one we cannot afford to lose. The next generation’s ability to understand and live out God’s truth is something for which we must fight!