No good soldier would ever dream of entering a battle without proper weaponry. Think through all the war heroes of the past: men like Napoleon, Washington and MacArthur. How many wars did they win while hiding out in their bunkers? None. Wars are won when troops go on the offense.

 

We all understand this truth in military terms. We even understand the analogy when we carry it over into the sports arena. A good defense is important, but offense is indispensable. After all if you don’t score any points, it’s impossible to win.

 

However, very few Christians seem to understand that this truth applies to the struggle for our culture as well. We are in the midst of a spiritual war for the heart of our culture.

 

One of the most effective ways to battle is to train your children properly. My question for Christian parents is simple: How engaged are you in this battle for truth and righteousness? Are you in the fight? Is your family anywhere near the front lines? Sadly, too many Christian parents have developed a defensive posture. That must change.

Find a passage of Scripture where Jesus took a defensive posture. Locate a verse where He cowered from a confrontation with the Pharisees. Show me a time where Jesus was timid, shy, quiet, apologetic or “tolerant” of anti-biblical ideas. Having a hard time finding an example? That’s probably because there isn’t one.

 

But there are plenty instances when He went on the offensive. He challenged His family (see Luke 2:41-52). He was not afraid to rebuke even His closest friends (see Matt. 16:21-23). He consistently stood up to the “preachers” of His day (see Matt. 23:1-39). He defended the integrity of His church with zeal (see Matt. 21:12:13). He did not fear man even if that man had the “authority” to take His life (see John 19:8-11). And yet, in all His boldness, Jesus modeled for us how to assault the culture without sinning in the process (see Heb. 4:15).

 

Jesus was appropriately offensive. Are you? One way that God commands Christian parents to assault the evils of the culture is via their children.

 

Arrows are never created to remain in the quiver. They are also never meant to be dull. Evaluate your weaponry. What is the spiritual condition of your arrows? If you have three in your quiver, how “sharp” are they? Could you release them into the culture with confidence that they would make an impact for Christ? If they are still too young to be released, are you working diligently to sharpen them for the day when they will?

 

 

If the children are the arrows, then the parents are the warriors. But do you see yourself as a warrior? Do you act like one? Does the culture of your workplace, local school district, community or city know you as a warrior for Christ? The enemy doesn’t rest. He’s waging a culture war every day and sadly few Christians do anything about it.

 

 

When you become the warrior God calls you to be and when you, in the power of the Holy Spirit, do all you can to sharpen (equip) them for this cultural battle, the result is beautiful. A sharp arrow released by a true warrior flies with confidence. A dull arrow released by a coward barely gets off the ground.

 

Don’t be shy about training your children for this war. Part of the reason Christianity in America is limping along today is because too many Christians are hesitant to speak up for their faith instead. They don’t want to go on the offensive. One of the biggest secrets to becoming more effective is fashioning our children into sharp and powerful weapons for the cause of Christ. You don’t storm the banks of Normandy with a water gun. You don’t defend Fort Sumter with rubber bullets. You need real weapons. When Christian parents adequately equip their children to be the arrows that God desires for them to be, we’ll start to take back valuable ground.

 

How sharp are your arrows, warrior? Could you release them, even today, with confidence that they would make a difference for Christ?