Ephesians 6:10-12

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Fellow believer, we are in a battle! If I didn’t believe it before 2020, I definitely believe it now. It seems that all that is true and right is under constant attack. War against the home, Biblical marriage, gender identity, race division and sanctity of life are just a few of the battles that are raging in this world. Who is the battle against? Is it us versus them? God clearly states in Ephesians 6 that the battle is a spiritual one. Satan is wreaking havoc on this world. For the time being, it is his domain, and he is doing his utmost best to destroy anything that would bring glory to God. He seeks to blind sinners and beguile Christians. He is in a continual effort of seeking to disturb our minds, deceive our hearts, and destroy our lives.

It’s time that we get our heads out of the sand and realize the battle that lies before us. Now the wonderful truth to remember is that the victory has already been won by our Lord Jesus Christ. But not all soldiers will come home. I want to be found beseeching the throne of God on behalf of my children praying that they will not become a casualty of war. Though Satan paints a pretty picture of sin and this world, he wants nothing more than to ruin the lives our our sweet babies.

I recently was at a Bible study where a mentor of mine made a thought provoking statement. She said how we, as Christian mothers, could have a tendency to shut the door of our home and make our nest the perfect little haven in a world gone wild. We have a candle burning, cookies baking, and edifying music on repeat. Meanwhile, comrades are falling prey to Satan’s attacks. And before we know it, our baby birds will be ready to fly on their own, and we’ll realize they weren’t prepared for the struggles and horrors of war.

It is our job as Christian parents to help our children grow in spiritual maturity and to be watchful for the enemy who wants to destroy them. I do not want to scare my children, but I do want them to be aware of God’s plan for their life and Satan’s desire to thwart that. I’ll never forget what another mentor of mine once told me when I asked her for parenting advice. She told me that she wished she had made her children aware at an early age that Satan wanted to destroy them. She and her husband raised their children in a wonderful Christian home and had them involved in all the church activities, but she regretted that she had not been more intentional in warning them about the devil’s devious plans for the destruction of their lives. As I said before, this doesn’t have to be presented in a way that will terrify your children. My Eden is almost 4 years old. We talk openly with her about spiritual things, and we do our best to appropriately answer her questions. We talk about how God has a special plan for her life that He created her for, but we also discuss how Satan doesn’t want to her follow God’s plan for her life. He wants her to be tricked into following sin and selfishness which results in a life that doesn’t bring glory to God. One day, the temptations my children face will be greater than playing during nap time when Mama said to rest. When that time comes, I want them to have rehearsed in their minds over and over through the years that although sin is enjoyable for a season, it ends in destruction and heartbreak. My prayer is that the Truth of God’s Word will strengthen their hearts to stand fast, resist temptation and be faithful warriors of our heavenly King!

How Can We Prepare Our Children for Battle?

• Teach Our Children to Obey: If our children do not learn to obey us, they won’t learn to obey God. We must teach them that obedience brings blessings and disobedience brings consequences. We do not do this with a lording spirit, seeking to control their every attitude and action. We do this with a heart full of the love, compassion and grace God has shown to us. Because we love them and want the best for them, we teach obedience and correct them when they disobey.
• Teach Our Children the Word of God: How did Christ fight against Satan’s temptations and attacks? He fought, and won, with the Word of God. The only way anyone can fight successfully is to put on the whole armor of God, and how can our children do that if they don’t know what the armor of God is? It is so important that we are teaching the the truths of the Bible. Deuteronomy goes as far as to say we are to be teaching it “when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Scripture should be so in our homes that it is found in all parts of our every day life. This is how you will raise mighty warriors.
• Wrestle for the Souls of Our Children in Prayer: Think about how much you love your children. How much more do you think their heavenly Father loves them? He created them. He knew and loved them before you were aware of their existence! He wants them to be victorious in this earthly life. He wants them to live a life of abundance and joy! In His perfect wisdom and plan, He has given your children to you. If you follow Him and seek His guidance, He promises to equip us with all we need to raise our children in accordance to His will. I don’t know about you, but I desperately need that wisdom! 2020 has presented us with so many challenges. I want to be pursuing Christ and His wisdom as though I were searching for fine gold and rubies (Proverbs 3:13-15). As I become more like Him and gain His wisdom, I want to impart that to my children so that they can continue in His paths of life.

Can I just be real. I cried writing this post. I don’t want to have a need to raise soldiers. I don’t want to think about battles they might face one day. And I really don’t want to let my mind wander to thoughts of them getting hurt, set back or possibly even defeated. I want a world filled with joy and blessings. Yet because of man’s desire to choose sin over God, that is not the world my children get.

Is There Any Hope?

YES!!! We are on the winning side! If we persevere, will will reap an eternal reward. The world our children will face will be filled with darkness, battles and difficulty, but take heart! As the songwriter wrote, “This world is not our home. We’re just passing through.” May we be as Abraham, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:10. The trials of this world are just a minute clip in our life’s story and the stories of our children. Be not discouraged weary warrior. Take courage, Christ has won the battle! Gird up your loins, encourage your heart in Him and raise those precious babies to be strong soldiers for the Lord. Train them to obey and to love God’s Word. Be their greatest advocate as they fight, to them personally and to God as you bring them before His throne in prayer.

It is my prayer and heart’s desire that this article does not leave you feeling discouraged. Instead, I hope it encourages you with the hope of the glorious future that awaits those who love the Lord. But I also hope it challenges you see the spirit of anti-Christ at work in this world, and to determine to do your part to influence the next generation to be steadfast and unmovable as they battle for Jesus!

*Several of the thoughts and statements you’ll find in this article are taken from the talk my friend and mentor, Denise Palmer, gave in our Mother’s Heritage Bible study.