Believing friends, do challenging times discourage you? Or are you emboldened with truth when life gets tough? For most of us, we experience both ends of the spectrum. We are all wired differently, so while our struggles and our triumphs differ, the Word of God meets us where we are to embolden us with truth.

Philippians is a fantastic letter of exhortation, and it is in this passage from chapter 2 that will be the center of focus:

¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

~Philippians 2:14-16

Being children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation is impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. If we are to shine, we must tap into that power.

As we race through end times, it seems our society grows more crooked and perverse every day. Here in the US, as we witness the push for socialism, we are also witnessing a rise of perversion we have never seen before. Unfortunately, the attack seems to be targeted, in many ways, toward our young people.

According to a February 2022 Gallup poll, 7.1% of Americans identify as something other than heterosexual. That is up just over 100% since 2012 when Gallup first polled on the issue. Even more astounding, though, CBN cites a 2021 George Barna poll that reveals 39% of 18-24 year-olds identify as LGBTQ. Is it any wonder, then, that:

• 29% of younger Millennials (ages 18-25) are counted as having some type of mental disorder.
• 24 out of every 25 Millennials (96%) lack a biblical worldview.
• 75% say they lack meaning and purpose in life.
• Only one-third claimed to believe in God.

What is driving this trend? A crooked and perverse society, fueled by media and hyper-liberal agendas that advocate teaching perverted sexual ideology to all ages of school children. Our young people are being systematically destroyed.

It is not the only example of our crooked and perverse generation in America, but it is a blatant one. To overcome it, we must hold fast the word of life. Believers, we are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Our hope is in Jesus Christ, and Him alone. He has not lost control, and our faith must not wane. As Paul exhorted in Philippians 2:16 (above), when we shine our light and hold fast to the word of life, we rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Remain steadfast. Fight for our young people. Be a light in the world. In doing so, we do not run or labor in vain.