Satan's Focus: The Family

     There are days when the tactics of Satan to absolutely destroy God's divine design for the family are hard to ignore. The other day I clearly saw it on Facebook. Now, I don't spend a lot of time on social media because I don't want to become addicted or obsessed with it, but I do enjoy the spiritual encouragement that many of my friends display on the site, so I will periodically check to see what they are saying. But on this particular day, I came across a post by someone who was lamenting their status as an only child.

     This person was making a statement that "the older they got, the weirder they felt about not having siblings". What complicates this person's social position is that they are in their mid-30's, an only child who is contemplating growing older, with aging parents, and living as a transgender individual. I felt his sadness and yes, a sense of questioning, in his statement. What would his life had been like if he had had brothers or sisters? Our parents inevitably pass away and we are left without their guidance and support. Would siblings have understood his decision to become transgender, and would they have continued supporting him, or is he destined to traverse the remainder of his life alone in uncertain and controversial circumstances?
     First of all, I admit that I cannot comprehend the lies that a person hears from the devil to convince them that they should go through painful and complicated surgeries to change the sex they were born to. I keep going back to the Scripture that says, Should the thing that was created say to the One who created it, "Why have you made me like this? (Romans 9:20). Yet I know that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and that can happen within the womb. I will tell you that, in our Inner Healing Ministry, we have heard more than one testimony of a Beloved who felt rejected in the womb. Although the conception of a child is a miracle from God, is Satan able to influence the self-identity of a fetus through deception and lies stemming from rejection and unwantedness? We know that whatever the Enemy means for evil, God can use for good. If we know our identity as a child of God, there is no confusion. But we also know that our human pride, arrogance, and rebellion will fight against God's perfect will for our lives and cause doubt, uncertainty, and most undoubtedly, confusion. So, it was with immense sadness that I sensed some regret and actual fear as this person faced a future that might find him without any family.
     But my feelings didn't stop there. I was actually shocked at the responses that his post inspired. The overwhelming consensus was that no one felt they were blessed by having siblings! The comments ranged from "It's not really that special [having siblings]" to "I feel bad for my spawn as they lose each other to age. That sounds worse than being an 'only'. Less sadness behind me". Still others commented, "No siblings are better than lousy ones. My sister is bi-polar and my brother is a Republican. I'm not sure which is worse", and "The only thing I have in common with my siblings is our parents. I know we wouldn't be friends or like each other if we weren't family". Finally, one of the biggest concerns among all of the respondents was the fear that they would be left to take care of an aging parent or a disabled sibling when the parents died. The lack of compassion and mercy was regrettable and shameful. At the same time, I understood that most of these remarks were coming from a community of people who identified with his gender confusion and had no relationship with their Creator.

     What has happened to the familial bonds that God established? It is with profound heartache that I read these comments from people who will obviously never know the benefits of family -- the loyalty, the dependability, the devotion of people who share your heritage, memories, and if you are lucky enough to have faithful parents, the spiritual instruction to last a lifetime.
     It further saddens me that so many families have been limited by abortion; a definite satanic stronghold in our culture. But I find hope and optimism as I witness the Christian families around me who have multiple children and are raising them as a picture of the divine family of God. They exemplify the joining together of humans to honor and worship the Lord; ministering to each others' needs and encouraging each other to be all they can be for Christ.
     Satan has successfully corrupted our culture and society, and I'm afraid the loneliness portrayed on Facebook will only increase if we do not humble ourselves, confess our sins, repent and turn back to fulfilling God's purposes for us here on the earth. He established marriage, and the family unit helps to secure the marriage relationship, the Godly covenant that Satan hopes to destroy. As the oldest of five siblings, I can see that we are all different; our interests, politics and levels of faith are all different. We live hundreds of miles from each other, but we are making an effort to stay connected now that our parents are gone. I may not agree with them about everything, but I love them. We are supporting each other in our aging years and there is just something about being connected to someone who shares your memories and experiences. It is a bond that we are carefully nurturing and will not abandon.
     But is family limited to those who share your DNA? The answer for me is an unequivocal, "No". Mark and I are blessed with varied "families" with whom we are united in life experiences, and those with whom we share a sure and proven faith. These relationships are honored, reliable, unfailing and founded in mutual love and trust. Our "families" -- both genetic and chosen -- are valued and respected. They are gifts from God and not to be destroyed by Satan's lies, deception, or corruption. May we become culturally sensitive to the fading family unit. May we become spiritually convicted to re-establish what God intended among the peoples of the earth. And may we recognize the loneliness of those who don't know their Father God; praying that they will be drawn to Him and His desire to receive them into His divine family; knowing He is the Source of their existence.

Ephesians 3:14-15    "So I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on the earth".