To contend means to defend, and strive against opposition. It is to fight for, show support of, to teach, or stand on the thing that is under assault. Our faith is under assault in our society. God’s word is faithful and true, it is the dividing line between what is right in God’s eyes, and what is right in the eyes of the world.  

In the book of Judges, the following phrase is repeated, “and they did what was right in their own eyes” speaking of the Israelites. This was followed by them being overtaken by the enemy and led into captivity, until they cried out to God and God raised up a judge. This was a much-repeated cycle during the course of time that the book of Judges covered and seemingly the motto of today’s society in the United States. Our basis for morality is centered on our own will and desire. We are encouraged to do what is right in our own eyes. We are told to follow our hearts desire, encouraged to side with what society has deemed to be the “new norm”. We are celebrated in giving ourselves over to sexual immorality and every evil thing, to hate Biblical standards, to condone things that the Bible states are not right in the eyes of God. Even some churches are embracing ideology that is right in their own eyes, instead of what is taught in the Bible.

It is a critical time and we, like Queen Esther, must stand up and be heard. We need to know the word of God. It is imperative to stand on and earnestly defend it, teach it to our children, live it, and make it a light unto our path. It is crucial that we build each other up in the faith, and bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Esther had to speak up even when it was against the law to speak to the King and her response was “If I perish, I perish.” We may face ridicule, being banned from social media, losing some friends, or even physical harm, but we cannot suppose that we will be the only Christians to survive these times if we are silent. Be encouraged, you were born for “such a time as this!”.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I confess that because I regard the perversions of society as “worse” that I often feel comfortable in my own sin. Oh Lord! Help me examine myself and measure my behavior against Your standard of holiness revealed in Scripture and not what I see in worldly culture, or even Christian culture. Let me look into the mirror of Scripture clearly and see my sin. Help me live up to the expectations that Jesus bled and died for so I could be transformed and meet them. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

The Bible warns repeatedly – do what is right in the sight of the Lord, not what is right in your own eyes. Further, today’s verses show that it is not sufficient that a belief or practice arose in a “Christian” community. It is not divisive to examine beliefs and practices to see if they are consistent with what God says is good according to the Bible. In fact, it is pleasing to God and a protection for our souls. If you realize you have been caught up in a religious fad, or you have taken a position based on what people have said on a topic related to sexuality, holiness, God’s acceptance, or forgiveness, search the Scriptures for yourself, and pray for the Holy Spirit to show you and to strengthen you in God’s perspective.