“So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and sober….[S]ince we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation…” (1 Thes. 5:6-9).

It is so tempting these days to despair. The world seems wedded to a litany of upside-down values that many argue as truths, but in reality, are nothing but lies. We have become habituated to gossip, sensationalism, soundbites, victimization, blame, scandal, and a win-at-all-costs mentality. If asked to define virtue, generations of people now would not only be unable to do so, they would probably laugh at the idea that there is such a thing.

But for those of us who believe in objective truth, for those of us who try daily to rightly order our minds and hearts to God, we look for the virtues to guide us and help us to act rightly in accordance with God’s will.

Indeed the challenges we face are daunting. We are in a battle for our culture, our faith, and our very souls. Some days it seems there is nothing we can do–that we are powerless to confront the onslaught of lies and distortions perpetuated by politicians, the media, and those we meet every day who have been blinded by ideology.

But we are not powerless. As Paul exhorts, we are to “keep awake and sober” and put on the armor of God–“the breastplate of faith and love, and…a helmet of hope.” This helmet is to protect our minds from despair. At risk of being consumed by the evil that tempts us to turn away from goodness and salvation, we must keep vigilant. We must enter into the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual battle of our time armed with helmets that will shield us from chaos and keep our thoughts clear and intentional.

After all, “we belong to the day.” Let us enter our daily battles, convicted of this truth, and willing to share God’s light with all who will listen.