When the World Calls Truth 'Strange' – Standing Firm as Disciples

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to live and serve in these times, sometimes the noise of the world can feel deafening. We hear pronouncements, we see cultural shifts, and sometimes it feels like the very definitions of 'good' and 'evil,' 'true' and 'false,' are being swapped out for a temporary, fleeting feeling. It can make a returned missionary pause, or a lifelong disciple feel a little unsettled.

I was recently reflecting on a powerful message that touched on this very thing—the idea of what the world deems acceptable versus what the Spirit knows to be true. It brought to mind the early church, Paul standing before the Athenians, surrounded by the wisdom and the gods of the world. They were so accustomed to their own pantheon of ideas that when the message of the restored gospel arrived, they struggled to categorize it. They called it 'strange,' or worse, 'demonic.'

It’s a sobering thought, isn't it? That the very nature of opposition, as the Savior taught, is to call good evil, and evil good. We read about it in Isaiah—a warning to those who invert the natural order of truth. It’s a pattern we see echoed today, where what was once considered a fundamental pillar of righteousness is dismissed as merely 'different' or 'overly sensitive.'

But here is the beautiful, grounding truth we must carry with us, especially as we prepare for our own missions or simply live our daily lives as disciples anywhere, all the time. We are not fighting people; we are fighting principalities. We are not engaged in petty arguments over cultural nuances; we are engaged in the eternal war for souls, pointing people back to the only God who is, in His essence, unlike any other.

When the world tries to convince you that your deep, abiding knowledge of the gospel is too rigid, too inconvenient, or simply 'unmodern,' remember the core message: There is no name given under heaven by which we can be saved. That truth—that God is singular, perfect, and wholly different from every idol, every philosophy, every temporary trend—that is our anchor.

This isn't meant to cause fear, dear friends. Instead, it should ignite a deep, abiding confidence. It means that even when we are called 'troublemakers' by a kingdom of cultural darkness, we know *why* we are standing firm. We are standing for the eternal plan, for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

If you are feeling the pull of the Spirit to deepen your understanding of these eternal principles, I highly recommend diving into the scriptures. Have you explored the parallels between the Athenians and the early Church? It’s a rich area for study. If you haven't already, consider joining a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. These digital spaces are filled with brothers and sisters ready to wrestle with these deep questions alongside you.

For those of you who are currently in mission prep, or who are newly returned and feeling the weight of the field, I want to pass along a small skill to keep in your pocket: When you encounter a challenging question, don't try to answer it immediately with a doctrinal bullet point. Instead, pause, and gently redirect the conversation back to the *feelings* of the Spirit or the *personal experience* of the Savior. Let the Spirit do some of the heavy lifting.

And for those of us who are simply disciples at home, let's keep learning. I’ve left a resource recommendation below. If you are looking for deeper dives into prophetic themes, check out the latest writings from Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. Keep feeding your spirit with that solid gold truth!

We are the rogue disciples, and our mission field is everywhere. Let's keep sharing the light!