Engaging Ideas

It is when we believe spiritual lies and false arguments that a demonic stronghold is established in our lives. The apostle Paul teaches, “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3–5).

Consider some of the spiritual lies embraced by our culture that have given rise to demonic strongholds:

• God just wants us to be happy (hedonism).
• There is no absolute truth (relativism).
• Our worth is defined by what we own or produce (materialism).
• God doesn’t care whom we love, simply that we love (homosexuality).
• There is nothing sacred about our bodies (transgenderism).
• Sex is necessary to live a fulfilled life (pre-marital sex).
• God wouldn’t want us to be trapped in a loveless marriage (divorce).
• A baby is not a real person until it is viable (abortion).
• Men and women should be equal in function (feminism).
• The well-being of this earth is more important than the well-being of humans (environmentalism).
• We have a right to decide whether we live or die (euthanasia/assisted suicide).
• The poor are poor because the rich are rich (Socialism/Communism).
• Our moral authority derives from our lived experiences (intersectionality)
• Judging some people by the color of their skin is an effective means of pushing back against a system that privileges some at the expense of others (racism).
• We must bear the guilt and shame of our ancestors (critical race theory).
• Each group should experience the same positive outcomes as every other group (social justice).

Spiritual lies are often appealing. For instance, the beloved company Disney is famous for its mantra, “Follow your heart.” However, the Bible teaches, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9a). Our hearts will lead us into error, sin, and bondage. “Follow your heart” is a spiritual lie that inevitably spawns other lies, such as, “It’s all about you;” “Just be yourself;” “Speak your truth;” “Love triumphs over all;” “I’m gay and that’s OK;” “If it feels good do it;” and so many more.

If we hope to influence our culture, then we must engage ideas. These ideas may manifest themselves in the form of political causes, lifestyle choices, attitudes, addictions, etc., but at their core is a spiritual lie. Therefore, becoming God’s cultural influencers involves engaging ideas by countering spiritual lies with the truth of God’s Word.

This article comes from Heart of a Forerunner: How to Be a Relevant and Influential Voice in a Wayward Nation

Download your free copy here.