Don’t Be Silent

When you see something that conflicts with biblical standards, declare the truth.

 

As you may know, we’re in both a cultural battle and a spiritual war for this generation. We see evidence of it all around us every day—young people are broken and hurting. As Christian adults, we must get in the fight.

 

If you look around, it’s not hard to see that the people shaping the culture are the ones who do not subscribe to biblical teaching and who are often hostile to Christian values.

 

With the difficult challenges our youth face, and with more spiritual assaults headed their way, you may be asking yourself how you can get involved. The answer is simple: Speak out and encourage other believers to do the same.

 

When you see something that conflicts with biblical standards lift your voice and declare the truth, but do it in a godly, caring manner.

 

Recently, Caite and her youth group from The Vine Church in Spring Hill, Florida, went to the local mall to visit the lingerie store Victoria’s Secret. They entered the establishment one person at a time and pleaded with the manager to remove the posters of scantily dressed models because the images were offensive to them.

The manager kicked out one teen after another until they all were gone. But when the group walked back into the store together and in unison said: “Please take these posters down. They are destroying our generation,” the entire store fell silent and not one shopper budged.

 

The manager removed the posters.

 

Another youth group in Jacksonville, Florida, protested the sale of pornography in a store during the Christmas season. The students gathered at the Regency Square Mall to oppose the sale of X-rated ornaments called “pornaments,” sold at Spencer’s stores.

 

The kids sang, chanted in protest and pleaded with the manager to take the items off the shelves.

 

The youth pastor, Clint Wilder, said the teens protested because they were tired of seeing products that promote sex and pornography. A news report later revealed that half the company’s stores pulled the items because consumers said the sale of such items was inappropriate.

 

Some young people may not be old enough to vote, but they’re realizing they can take action to impact culture.

 

You too can be an important example to this generation by taking a stand when you see something in your community that disagrees with the godly principles our country was built on.

 

Those who speak up are heard.

 

But if you let people who do not share your values do the talking, they will be the ones to decide what’s right and wrong. Please don’t let this happen.

 

By now you’ve probably heard or read about the BattleCry for a Generation campaign, which is designed to equip and encourage churches to disciple and double the size of their youth groups over the next five years.

 

We have developed many resources to help Christian leaders win the spiritual battle. But if your church isn’t part of the initiative, then do whatever you can to get your pastor, youth pastor and congregation involved by going to www.battlecry.com.

 

The Web site offers tools to help local churches protect young people in the spiritual battle being waged against them. And it includes information about how we adults can band together to turn the tide.

 

Resources include videos produced specifically for pastors, other leaders and teens. You will also find more testimonies by people who are taking a stand for biblical values in our culture.

 

Be an advocate for the young people in your church and community. Encourage them to join the fight to take back their generation for Christ!

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Ron Luce founded Teen Mania in 1986. He and his wife, Katie, have seen more than 2 million youth attend events they host called Acquire the Fire, and they have sent more than 50,000 teens across the globe on mission trips. Ron and Katie live in Garden Valley, Texas, with their three children: Hannah, Charity and Cameron.