Enemy at the Gates

We are all aware of the enemy all around us. We see that evil "head banging music" and know that can't be right. We hear the rappers who glorify killing and abusing women and we know that can't be right. And there's that whole "porn industry" thing that no moral person really doubts is evil at its core. We hear the voices of the far left telling us to exterminate humans and give animals human rights and to steal from the rich and give to the poor and we know that can't be right. The enemy is quite clear. Or is it?

My suspicion is that the most intrusive and destructive messages are coming to us unfiltered. We let them in our homes, our heads, our hearts. We don't evaluate them or examine them because they're coming to us from either friendly or at least non-hostile sources. How could they be bad?

Pop music teaches us that sex is fun and commitment and marriage are irrelevant.

Pop TV asks, "Why do you need to get married to have a family?"

Pop media rephrases the question from "What is marriage?" to "Marriage Equality".

Pop politics teaches us that the real solution to our problems is found in voting their way.

Pop education holds that education is king, that science is God, and that anyone who thinks differently ought not be heard at all.

Pop culture suggests that fathers are the most stupid, most evil, most redundant creatures on the planet and if we could figure out how to do without their sperm, we would do well to lose them entirely.

Unfiltered messages provided to us via our sitcoms and cop dramas, our entertainment, our musical friends and our political allies. We take them in because we don't see the threat. We don't really agree with David who wrote, "I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless" (Psa 101:3). We think Paul was a bit extreme when he suggested that we "take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Cor 10:5). Satan a "roaring lion" (1 Peter 5:8)? Too over the top, Peter. We're in favor of our "angel of light" (2 Cor 11:14). Nor do we see the damage.