World at Odds with God: The Spiritual Conflict of Our Time
APLOGIES FOR THE LONG POST. I REALIZE MANY MAY NOT READ IT. BUT IT HAS TO BE SAID.
( A sermon I made and will be using, but seemed profound and detailed enough to share)
In today’s world, it’s hard to ignore the sense that something deeper is amiss, a growing divide between the principles of faith and the culture that surrounds us. As societies embrace technological advances, material wealth, and individual autonomy, there seems to be an increasing alienation from the values of faith, compassion, and humility that have historically served as guiding lights for millions of people. Many believe that this is more than just a cultural or philosophical shift — they see it as a spiritual conflict, a world at war with God. There is also a move from those who embraced evil, to begin coming to God, a transition seems to have begun.The Rise of Secularism and Moral Relativism
One of the most striking trends in modern society is the rapid rise of secularism. In many parts of the world, particularly in the West, and where I live in the Northwest religion has been relegated to the margins, seen as an antiquated or irrelevant part of life. Faith, once a cornerstone of public life, is now viewed as a private matter at best, or at worst, as something to be hidden or disavowed. I am seeing sin approved for advertising, and Christ, being labeled at Mature Audience and not for public consumption.This growing secularism has given rise to moral relativism, where the notion of absolute truth or divine law is replaced by individual preference. What is "right" or "wrong" has become increasingly subjective, determined by personal feelings, social trends, or political ideologies. In this worldview, traditional religious teachings are often viewed as oppressive, outdated, or intolerant — obstacles to the progress of human freedom and self-expression. (Please if you do comment, stay with in the forum rules I am generalizing and the reader can fill in their own specifics.)
But moral relativism creates a profound emptiness. Without a shared understanding of good and evil, or a higher standard of justice and virtue, society is left without a compass. When moral absolutes are abandoned, humanity is left adrift in a sea of competing desires, ideologies, and conflicting truths. This is a world where spiritual clarity is traded for moral confusion, and in the process, many believe that humanity is turning away from God.
The Idolization of Technology and Materialism
As society moves away from faith, it has placed its trust in technology and materialism as the new arbiters of progress. There is a growing belief that human ingenuity can solve all of life’s problems, whether through science, artificial intelligence, or economic growth. These advancements have undoubtedly brought remarkable improvements to life, from medicine to communication, but they have also led to an over-reliance on the material and tangible at the expense of the spiritual. (But you are not alone and the Lord is with you. Do not dive into the well of confusion, while the answers are right in front of us. Saved by his grace.)But the pursuit of wealth, status, and convenience has become the driving force behind much of modern life. Material success is now synonymos with happiness, and personal fulfillment is often measured by possessions, social influence, or career achievements. But in this chase for material gain, many lose sight of the deeper spiritual hunger that lies within. We see the symptoms of this imbalance all around us: skyrocketing rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness despite unprecedented levels of comfort and wealth.
By placing our faith in technology and material gain, we’ve begun to lose sight of what it means to live for something greater than ourselves. As we seek to build a utopia of human achievement, the connection to the divine — to God’s will for creation, justice, and peace — becomes faint, sometimes even invisible.
The Cultural Shift Away from Traditional Values
At the heart of the conflict between the world and God is a cultural shift away from traditional values — values that have long been understood as aligned with divine principles. This includes concepts like the sanctity of life, the importance of marriage and family, humility, and service to others. In place of these values, modern culture increasingly promotes individualism, autonomy, and self-gratification. We are about our greatest, what we can get mentality. This view isolates us away from God.For example, issues such as the sanctity of life, including debates around abortion and euthanasia, highlight the clash between human autonomy and the belief in life as a sacred gift from God. The deconstruction of marriage and family structures also reflects this tension, where long-held religious views about the family as the foundation of society are being replaced with more fluid definitions of relationships and identity.
In the pursuit of personal freedom, society has often embraced self-interest over self-sacrifice, pushing away the idea that humanity is called to live in harmony with God’s design for human life, flourishing, and community. Instead, "self" has become the idol of modern life.
Spiritual Conflict and the Call to Reawaken Faith
For those who see today’s world as being at war with God, this isn’t simply a matter of ideological differences or social changes; it’s a deep spiritual battle. Many believe that beneath the surface of modern life lies a struggle between good and evil, between light and darkness. In turning away from God, society risks losing the moral and spiritual foundation that sustains human dignity, justice, and peace.This battle is not new. Throughout history, there have been moments where humanity has turned away from God, placing its trust in false idols — whether in power, wealth, or human reason. But these periods of spiritual estrangement have also been met with calls for renewal, revival, and reawakening.
Today, more than ever, there is a need for a return to faith, humility, and the pursuit of divine truth. As the world grows more chaotic and divided, the need for a spiritual grounding becomes even more apparent. Whether through prayer, reflection, or acts of service, people of faith are called to stand as witnesses to God’s enduring presence, love, and justice in the world.
Finding God in a Broken World
As the world graples with technological change, moral confusion, and growing secularism, it is easy to feel as though society is at war with God. But even in the midst of this conflict, there is hope. Spiritual renewal begins with individual hearts. It starts with those who seek to live lives of virtue, who embody God’s love in a world often marked by division and strife.This isn’t a time for despair but for deeper commitment. Faith, when nurtured, can act as a beacon of light amid the darkness, guiding humanity back toward a path of reconciliation with God. Despite the challenges of our age, God’s truth remains constant, and in turning to Him, we can find peace, purpose, and the strength to face a world seemingly at odds with its Creator.
In this sense, the war with God is not inevitable or eternal — it is a call to reawaken the soul to the divine truths that have guided humanity for millennia. The question remains: will we heed that call before it is too late?
1. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."This verse speaks to the tension between the ways of the world and the ways of God. It encourages believers to resist the worldly pressures that pull them away from divine truth and to renew their minds in alignment with God's will.
2. James 4:4 (NIV)
"You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."James addresses the spiritual conflict directly, warning that aligning too closely with the values of the world can lead to a separation from God. This verse underscores the importance of being vigilant about where our loyalties lie—whether with worldly desires or with God's righteousness.
3. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."This passage contrasts the temporary nature of worldly desires with the eternal significance of doing God's will. It highlights the fundamental divide between living for the world’s fleeting pleasures and living for God’s everlasting kingdom.
