Combat

Combat can be defined in two ways: as a noun meaning fighting between two armed forces or as a verb meaning to take action to reduce or prevent. Examples are, “This medicine will combat your symptoms,” and “The armies were engaged in combat.” The Scriptures give us Truth to combat this fallen world, both to fight against it and to take action to prevent against its lies. It is both preventative medicine and engaging warfare. Here are some verses of Truth to combat this growing cancel culture of our world which seeks to lift up and celebrate sin while silencing opposition and truth.

“A woman must not put on men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing. Anyone who does this is detestable in the sight of the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 22:5)

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

“This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself. He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them ‘human.’” (Genesis 5:1-2)

“But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:2)

“Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.’” (Leviticus 18:22)

“So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.
“Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 1:24-32 & 2:1-4)

“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Listed above are what the world would call radical or bigoted ideas: (1) transgenderism and cross-dressing are detestable to God; (2) there are only two genders: male and female; (3) marriage should be between a man and woman; and (4) homosexuality is a sin and it is not natural. The world is becoming less and less tolerant of views it doesn’t like and as with everything, we put a label on it: cancel culture. Sooner or later they will come after the Scriptures. A time is quickly coming when we will have to decide if we will stand on the Truth of Scripture or side with the world for fear of being “canceled” or labeled with a terrible name. Will you stand on Biblical Truth? Are you equipped and ready to explain your faith? The temptation might be to make excuses for how the Bible conveys Truth. We don’t need to make excuses for what the Scriptures say; we need to be able to explain what they say to those who are still living in Darkness. We are not called to apologize for the Scriptures, we are called to defend them. Be sure you don’t send an unclear message wrapped up in weak passivity.

“These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:15)

“Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.” (1 John 3:4-6)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Sin leads to death. Anyone practicing any sin will not inherit the Kingdom of God. It doesn’t matter the particular sin; if you have chosen your sin over God, then in the end you will not receive God, you will receive what you chose, the consequences of your sin. God loves us so much that He paid a high price to save us from our sin and the consequences it brings, but we must choose that Way. We must choose to surrender our way and our sin and give our lives over to Christ, accepting His payment for our sin and leaving our sinful lifestyles behind. Following Christ means giving up your way. We must love God more than our sin. We cannot have both our sin and God. The message is clear and we need not muddy it up: if you choose your sin you will not inherit the kingdom of God. When the time comes, don’t make excuses; give explanations and be ready to combat the lies of this world with the Truth of Scripture.

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Peter 3:15)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed