Cultural battle and spiritual battle
Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #31 Praise Him! Praise Him! (#46 in previous version)
The entire world is fighting a spiritual battle and cultural battle that we cannot see with our eyes. God called us as evangelists in this most important time. The life of the evangelist is enjoying Immanuel and finding the blessings of the throne of heaven. It is the coming of the Holy Spirit that has been promised and possessing the true authority to save the world. Culture refers to the style of living of people as a whole. Among that is music that transcends race and religion. That is why Satan makes musicians fall. However, music and culture can be a tool for world conquest if God is with you.
1. The hand of Satan
All cultures of the earth have fallen into darkness and curses. Humankind that must conquer and subdue the earth has lost this blessing. Satan was an angel who was in charge of music (Ezekiel 28:13). That is why he deceives and confuses people especially through mainstream culture. The influence of music is significant in present culture. A person of God does not love the world or is dragged by it due to fear, but he is a person who conquers all things with the Gospel. Even though Satan’s tricks are controlling the culture of the world, if God’s mighty hand is with us, we can restore the music and arts. The ones with the Gospel becoming one (oneness) is the method to conquer the culture of the world. Satan’s strategy of all strategies is to break this oneness. In order to restore the Gospel culture that has been taken from us and to raise the true evangelism movement, the Gospel culture must arise in all regions.
2. Meditation, praise, worship
Worship is the greatest blessing that a Christian whom God is with can enjoy. For God is Spirit, His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. God seeks those who worship and desires to be with them spiritually (John 4:23~24). The way to deeply experience God is meditation. David’s numerous praises and confessions came from meditation. Paul also prayed to God and deeply meditated. Putting today’s Word, prayer, and evangelism into deep meditation and praise every day is the true strength that will make you victorious in the spiritual battle.
- Think about what the field of cultural battle and spiritual battle is in my life. Let’s put the life of the evangelist into practice once again today in order to possess the spiritual strength to conquer the culture.
Praise Ministry Worker Retreat / 2011.2.23