Standing for God

Let’s be leaders who persuade young people to trust Jesus no matter what happens.
Because of the recent highly publicized sexual scandal of one of our nation’s most prominent Christians, it is important for us as parents and leaders to talk to our kids about standing for God in the midst of moral failure in the church.

Our children need to know how to process what they’ve seen and heard on television. We don’t want them to become leery of trusting authority figures in their lives.

It is important for us to set an example, and we must teach them to have a strong commitment to Christ. They too are called to live for Him.

I can recall in the 1980s when scandals involving Christians came to the national forefront. I remember thinking, If they can’t stand for Christ how will I possibly do it?

But the Lord helped me realize it didn’t matter if every single person I admired fell away. What Jesus continues to do in my life is so real that I could never turn my back on Him, and I never will.

This is the kind of commitment we all need to have. It could protect us from becoming disheartened in our own walk with Him. Teaching and nurturing our young people until they have that kind of resolve and determination must be part of our strategy to claim this generation for Christ.

Perhaps you might have noticed the increase of illusionists both on television and in motion pictures recently. They intrigue people with their tricks, but the fact remains that what they do is create perception.

Satan is a master deceiver and the best illusionist we’ve ever seen. The truth is that sin, as in the case of the Old Testament character Samson, makes you stupid. When you dabble in it just a little, it makes you numb to reality and the consequences you’ll have to face one day.

We know the Bible says the devil disguises himself as an angel of light and that he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. But we have to see through the deception, and the only way to do that is to learn truth. The truth of God’s Word sets you free from the bondage of sin.

Every type of relationship we have, whether marriage, friendship, authority figure or spiritual mentor, is built on trust. When we lose confidence in them, we become isolated and lonely.

But just because someone gets his heart broken by another person doesn’t mean he should never get married. He has to learn to trust again.

So it is with our children. One of the most effective ways to sustain their trust in us is never to make them wonder if we parents have something to hide.

Be vulnerable with your weaknesses. Don’t pretend you’re perfect. Ask your children for forgiveness and request that they pray for you if there is an area in your life that is unsteady.

Also, demonstrate that you are accountable, whether it is to a ministry board or to a couple with whom you and your spouse can openly share your challenges and struggles. It communicates to your kids that you deal with your inadequacies and the mistakes you make.

There is a battle raging for the souls of our kids, and it would be just like the enemy to use a public catastrophe to get us off track and derail our efforts to win a generation.

If you are unsure what to do to reach out to kids in your area, log on at www .battlecry.com for help.

Let’s be leaders and parents who fortify our own strength and resolve and as a result, persuade young people to trust Jesus Christ no matter what happens around them.