The battle that really matters

Dear Abisinuade,

I sincerely hope you are doing well, especially in these difficult and uncertain times. I pray you are finding comfort in knowing that we are only sojourners on this earth, even though we often long for comfort in this world.

On one of the Saturdays in April, I facilitated a youth program with the theme “Following God for Life.” We discussed two topics: “The Battle for You” and “The Battle for Your Time.” The event went well, to the glory of God. You might be wondering why I am telling you this. You see, as the program came to a close and I returned home, while walking up the stairs to my house, I began reflecting on everything we had discussed and how deeply I longed to share it with you.

I have been hearing about the tensions and unrest in the world, and you have truly been on my mind. The reports of it have brought a quiet sadness to my heart, even as I try to avoid the news as much as I can. However, there is a war far more grievous than this one, and I am not sure if you have heard about it. This battle is about you, and it is for this reason that I decided to put pen to paper.

You see, this battle began a long time ago, in a garden called Eden. I know this is a story you are familiar with, but I would like to draw your attention to it once more. God created Adam and Eve and gave them a command, yet the serpent came and deceived them (Genesis 3). They ate, and in that moment, man fell. From then on, the battle line was drawn. God desires that man would choose Him and, in choosing Him, choose life, yet the enemy continues to pull toward the opposite.

It may seem strange to you, who would choose death? Yet the truth is that, left to ourselves, we often do, even when we try not to. But this is where the beauty of the gospel shines. Jesus Christ came and laid down His life for you and me, triumphing over sin, and all that held us bound (Colossians 2:15¹). And whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16²).

So you may say, “I believe.” And if this is true for you, then I rejoice with you, Abisinuade. You have been born again into the royal family of God, no longer a stranger but one who belongs (Romans 8:15–17³). Yet, if you will permit me, I would like to gently unfold what believing truly means. For even the demons believe, and yet remain unchanged (James 2:19⁴).

I have come to understand that there is a kind of faith that stands alone, and there is a faith that is alive (James 2:17⁵). The one that stands alone is empty; it bears no fruit, produces no transformation, and remains only words. But the faith that is alive walks, breathes, and responds. It produces works, not as a means of salvation, but as a testimony that the life of God is at work within. This is the faith that transforms a life from the inside out.

Herein lies the battle. The devil, our adversary, “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). For those who have not believed, he blinds their minds to the truth, and for those who have believed, he seeks to hinder their growth, keeping them from fully surrendering to the call of discipleship, often trapping them in cycles of iniquity that limit their spiritual progress.

But this is not your portion. The Word declares, “I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:13). At Calvary, the work was finished, and what remains is for us to walk in that victory.

Abisinuade, your old self has been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer you who live, but Christ who lives in you (Galatians 2:20). This battle can be won every single time through a living faith anchored in Him. You need only to look unto Him and live.

You do not have to live a life marked by defeat or regret. You do not have to spend your days chasing fleeting pleasures. Instead, you can live a life poured out in wholehearted service to God, and at the end, testify that the time you were given was well spent in His purpose. The victory has already been won, and your part is to walk in it.

I pray that this letter finds a resting place in your heart and, if need be, stirs you toward a more intentional walk with God. Remain steadfast, and keep holding the fort.

Your comrade in Christ,
Adunni
April 30, 2026

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. ↩︎
“¹⁶For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. ↩︎
¹⁵For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. ↩︎
¹⁹You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. ↩︎
¹⁷In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. ↩︎

For The PEW