Cultural battle

Genesis 11:1~8 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” (4)

Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #358 There’s a Royal Banner (#400 in previous version)

The way to gain supremacy in the world is war. That is why there have been many wars in human history. However, wars take a lot of bloodshed and a long time of recovery before and after the war. A better method to gain supremacy than warfare is through culture. Then, culture, in other words, is a war. Culture without God controls our mental and spiritual state and confuses the spiritual world. Conquering the world likewise through godless culture is Satan’s strategy. How must we start the cultural battle to break down Satan’s strategy?

1. Forces of darkness that lead the culture

What is the characteristic of the culture of darkness? It is in the forefront with commerce and corruption. Also, the culture of darkness is bound to get ahead because the world stakes its life in order to make a name for itself. Historically, the main characteristic of the cultures of big nations is idol culture. Even now, idol culture is strong in the field. The forces of darkness are controlling the world using the cultures of the world.

2. Gospel culture with the power of the Gospel

The only thing that can break the culture of darkness is the culture that really has the power of the Gospel. Noah witnessed the Gospel for 120 years while he built the ark. This culture of the ark shattered the culture of commerce and corruption all at once. When Moses explained to Pharaoh why he must give the sacrificial offering, all idols of Egypt crumbled down. David broke down the Philistine culture of insulting the Lord. Through one person named Paul who knew the Gospel and the culture, all the idolatrous culture of Rome was broken down and the Gospel culture was established.

3. Cultural battle is the spiritual battle

From the creation until now, there are always three kinds of wars. First is the war of daily life. To confront the devil who endlessly pries into the life of the believer, we must wear the armor of God. Second is the war of finance. It may have taken a different form back then, but the war of finance has always been there. Lastly, it is the least visible but most influential war of culture. These three things combined are spiritual warfare.

-Outcasts among elementary school children, violence and Internet addiction of the youth, and game addictions of college students are merely one part of culture. Satan is controlling the hearts and minds of people through culture. Find what you must do in the culture that is around you.