Today’s read covered Mark 8-14. I could talk about so many things in these chapters. Jesus’ teaching contains so much wisdom for us that is relevant and fresh; He speaks directly into our culture.

In Mark 9:36-37,42 and 10:13-16, Jesus talks about children. He goes out of His way to make it clear that children are precious to God, and that God is VERY serious about holding adults accountable for how they treat children.

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone around his neck, he had been cast into the sea (Mark 9:42).

Jesus is indignant when the disciples see children as a bother; He takes them into His arms and blesses them. He uses them as an example of the childlike faith that is required to enter the kingdom of heaven.

I’ve been hearing and reading a lot lately about the acceptance in our culture of “affirming” children who express thoughts of “transitioning,” i.e., young boys who think they should be girls, and girls who want to be boys. It is shocking that we as a society are allowing children to be given hormones and pursue medical and surgical interventions that change their biological nature. This is nothing more than a satanic agenda designed to destroy God’s creation of male and female, and it is CHILD ABUSE.

I would shudder to stand before a holy God and give account for harming children in this way. Instead of affirming their confusion, we ought to be teaching them they are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God and there are no mistakes. We should be honest with them and tell them it is impossible to change one’s biological sex, that they have a God-given DNA and are precious in His sight. We should help them think correctly, not affirm a childish fantasy that is largely brought on by the evil propaganda in our culture and media.

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female (Mark 10:6).

Whether you are an adult or a child, if you’re struggling with your biological identity, may I encourage you to accept that God created you intentionally? You are precious in His sight. You are not a product of evolution. God formed your inward parts and wove you together in your mother’s womb. Give thanks to God because you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-15). Instead of listening to a cultural viewpoint that will only lead to heartache, despair, and depression and destroy your life, seek godly counsel and wisdom from a biblical perspective. The One who made you has the answers you seek and can heal all wrong thinking; He will give you hope, purpose, and a future. He alone offers the abundant life that will satisfy your soul and lead to eternal life.

To the adults who have the opportunity to speak life into young people who are facing these issues, may you have the God-given boldness to tell them the truth despite what culture says! It is time for Christ-followers to be bold and stand up against this tidal wave of destructive thinking, even at the risk of our jobs and reputations. Let us not cause any child or adult to “stumble” into believing a lie that will destroy them.