Dear teenager, this is war.
Can you feel it, sense it? It’s a battle unseen. A struggle not fought with weapons of metal and fire. It’s a war not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers and forces of darkness.
And you, teenager, are right in the middle of it.
All around me, I see the evidence—individuals in battle, warring with themselves, their identity, their bodies, their minds, unknowingly fighting a greater enemy. I know countless Christian young people wracked with fear, doubt, sickness, depression, anxiety, and a myriad of other debilitating issues. I’ve wondered over and over again, “Why this enormous attack? Why does it seem every Rebelutionary, every Christian teen, has such huge struggles and burdens, when we’re supposed to be the conquerors, those living in Christ’s victory?”
Now I know.
The first reason, of course, is because we’re human. Young or old, Christian or non-Christian, every person is susceptible to these earthly, extremely real and valid weaknesses. But there’s another reason, I believe. A darker reason.
Satan wants the teenagers.
He knows our potential, the power of God’s call on our lives, and it’s his goal to ruin our future and the impact we’ll have. We’re the next generation. The light bearers of the next century. If we don’t pass the gospel on to the next generation…and the next generation…and the next, no one will. Satan knows if he can effectively silence, hinder, or stop us, he could wipe Christianity from the globe.
God’s not going to let that happen.
Which is why He’s raised us up to be His hands and feet. Why He claimed and pursued us, and died to save us. Our identity as children of the King is impenetrable.
But you’d better believe the devil doesn’t see us as a closed case. As long as he remains the leader of our wayward generation, and as long as we walk the earth opposing him and proclaiming Christ’s name, we are his target. He, our enemy.
Teenager, we need to fight like never before. And our model in battle is none other than our Savior—Jesus Christ.
Flashback two thousand years. It’s been forty days—forty nights. No food. No companionship. All around is nothing but wilderness. As God made into flesh, Jesus is enduring this pressure, but as fully man, He’s weakening. Enter the devil, taunting and tempting, words slick, fully aware of Christ’s humanity, attempting to defame His deity.
Can you hear his words?
“If You are the Son of God, command these stones become bread.” (Matthew 4:3)
Zoom out to where Jesus is. How did He withstand this attack? In two words: He fought.
He didn’t whimper or cower. He didn’t beg the devil to leave Him alone. No, He stood, fully God and fully man, sword in hand and fought with the most powerful weapon ever created.
“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.” (Matthew 4:10)
For it is written.
That’s our weapon—the written Word of God.
Christ is our model in all things—in life, in death, in the way we love, in the words we speak, and also in the way we fight the roaring lion seeking to devour us.
For the teen battling with fear:
“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.’ (2 Timothy 1:7) It is written again, ‘I did not receive the spirit of bondage to fear. I have been adopted into the family of God.’(Romans 8:15)”
For the teen constantly wracked by anxiety:
“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘Be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication,…present your requests to God, and the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds.’” (Philippians 4:6,7)
For the teen whose physical body has been overcome by sickness:
“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘By His stripes we are healed.’(Isaiah 53:5) Again it is written, ‘No weapon formed against me shall prosper.’ (Isaiah 54:17)”
For the teen held in chains by addiction:
“Away with you, Satan! For it is written ‘God will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear, but will provide a way of escape.’ (1 Corinthians 10:13) It is written, ‘I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me!’” (Romans 8:37)
It. Is. Written.
And it is powerful. It’s God-breathed and divinely-inspired. It’s living and active. Sharper than a two-edged sword. It has the power to pierce even to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and to expose the deepest thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
So, teenager, pick up your sword. Know it well, and wield it skillfully. Put on the whole armor that is given to you. Place truth about your waist, and strap on the breastplate of righteousness. Slip into the shoes of the gospel of peace, and take up the shield of faith which is able to thwart all the enemy’s plans of attack. Place upon your head the helmet called salvation, and fall on your knees in battle. (Ephesians 6: 10-17)
Take the stance of a warrior, teenager, and fight, knowing you’re already the victor by the power of Christ.
“Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
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Good article, Sara! I appreciate how you addressed teens with different issues and included specific scriptures to fight with. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Grace! I’m glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful! I encourage you to dig in the Word and find your own verses to use that relate specifically to what you may be struggling with. 🙂 The Bible is so powerful!
Great article, Sara!! You have your pulse on what teens are struggling with today!! I appreciate your depth and wisdom. Keep speaking truth!! 🙂
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Chris! It means so much to me! ❤
YES, Amen Sara! I’ve wondered why teenagers often have some of the most struggles and this makes complete sense now. Thank you so much for the encouragement. This is why it is so important to hide God’s Word in our hearts!
Absolutely, Ashley! You’re so right…it’s so important to hide God’s Word in our hearts! I’m glad this helped bring clarity and that it made sense! Thank you, Ashley! Keep seeking Jesus! 🙂
Amen! Thank you for this beautifully profound and eye opening piece, Sara! I can’t even find the words to describe the power and the truth packed into your article, all I can say is great job and don’t stop writing! 🙂
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Awww, Rebekah! That is so sweet and means more to me than you know! Honestly, this topic was slightly outside of my comfort zone, and all I say is, Jesus helped me write it! I would encourage you to do more research on this topic, because I know I barely sctatched the surface of it. 🙂 Thanks again!
Awesome truth! This topic of Satan attacking us as teens is highly overlooked in our society. Thank you for boldly illustrating our necessary strategy of wielding the written Word to combat fear, addictions, and anxieties the enemy puts in our path the knock us down and keep us out.
Thank you, Moriah! You’re so right, it is overlooked. Which is why I was so excited (though honestly, a little nervous too) to share about it. Keep fighting and never stop pursuing Jesus. Thanks again, friend. 🙂
So glad you did! 🙂
Much needed truth! Very beautiful and powerful words, thank you!
Thank you, Grace. I’m glad it challenged and encouraged you! There is power in the name of Jesus, and it’s so astonishing that He gives us that power to fight our enemy. Isn’t He amazing? 🙂
Wow….this was a huge eye-opener. Thank you much for this. I think it’s important to remember God’s promises in this dark hour. I’ve struggled with depression and illness and this has woken me up.
*so much for this
Oh wow, Joye. What a tremendous blessing it is for me to hear that. You are so right! It’s when times are tough and the enemy is attacking that we need to stand on God’s promises more than ever. I can relate to your struggling with illness, because both myself and my family members deal with health issues. But what a wonderful thing it is to know that even in the midst of struggles we are more than conquerors through the power of Christ! Thank you, Joye! I’m so humbled and blessed that God used my small words to speak to you! Praying for you! 🙂
I’d venture to say the devil is just as concerned about the fact that we aren’t just the church of tomorrow, but the church of today. The teenage years are the best to make a difference as we live in the word now!
YES! Absolutely, Andrew. That’s a great point. Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
this is powerful. we need to work on our lives now, so our adult selves won’t be in bad habits we’ve developed as teenagers.
You bet, Alexis. That’s true. Thank you so much for reading and commenting! 😉
Wow, this is so good! <3 I love the example of the temptation of Jesus and how you followed that up by giving specific Scriptures to combat specific issues.
Thank you, my dear! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 I’m so excited to see you in a few days! *counting down the hours* (wink) 🙂
Wow, Sara. This is so relevant. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insight.
Aww, thank you so much! I’m so glad! ❤
Wow! I love this article, It has given me more insight to go back to read my bible more intensely.
I’m so glad! Thanks for reading!
Wonderful Sara! You attacked this cliché topic with a different and innovative style. More grease 👏👏
Thanks so much, Nenkinan! I’m so glad it resonated with you! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Wow! Amazing article! It’s something we all struggle with, and this offers great advice. Thanks so much Sara! Very much needed!
Aww, thanks so much, Grace! I’m so excited that it resonated with you! Soli Deo Gloria! 🙂
Such a great article!
Aww, I just saw this! Thank you, friend! 🙂