America at a Crossroads: A Battle for the Soul of the Nation

There is a battle raging for the heart and soul of America.

It is not just political, though politics reveal it. It is not merely cultural, though culture reflects it. At its core, this battle is spiritual. It is a struggle over truth over what is right, what is wrong, and how we, as believers, will choose to live out our faith in a nation drifting further from God.

The prophet Isaiah warned of days like this:

“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light, and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.” (Isaiah 5:20, NLT)

Friends, that warning is no longer distant it describes our present reality. We are living in a time when America condemns good as evil and elevates evil as good.

During COVID, the state of California made a stunning declaration: churches were “non-essential.” Worship, prayer, and fellowship the very lifelines of the soul were dismissed as unnecessary.

And yet, strip clubs were declared “essential.”

Close the church doors. Keep the strip clubs open. Do you see the inversion of truth?

I felt it personally. I once met with a bank manager about services for our church. At first, he agreed. But later he called back with a strange explanation: California classified churches as “non-essential,” so they could not serve us. I asked, “Would you offer these same services to a strip club?” He hesitated, then admitted, “Yes, because those are considered essential.”

This is not just cultural confusion it is spiritual deception.

Paul reminds us:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age…” (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV)

Our battle is not against people. It is against the unseen powers of darkness that want to blind a nation to the truth of God.

The book of Judges offers a sobering lesson:

“After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done… The Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight.” (Judges 2:10–11, NLT)

God desired to bless His people. But they forgot His works, rejected His commands, and turned to idols.

Doesn’t that sound like America?

Our founders declared that as long as this nation honored God, He would bless it. And He did and America became the most prosperous, free, and influential nation on earth. Yet today, we are systematically removing God from schools, government, and culture.

When a nation forsakes God, sorrow follows.

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide through Roe v. Wade. I was just 15 years old, more concerned about cars and basketball than court rulings. But I still remember the debates. Even some Christians bought the lie that “it’s not really a baby.”

But Scripture warns:

“Do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:27, NIV)

Like a climber scaling a cliff, the enemy only needs one foothold. Roe v. Wade was that foothold.

Fifty years later, the drift is shocking. What began with “it’s just tissue” has become legalized abortion up to the moment of birth in multiple states.

For Tammy and me, this issue became deeply personal. Early in our relationship, she was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Radiation destroyed her eggs, and doctors told us children were impossible. But God gave us a miracle she became pregnant.

The ultrasound showed abnormalities. The doctors pressed us: “You should abort.” They said our child had a large head and no visible legs. But we refused.

That child is Daniel our son, our joy, our testimony that God’s word is greater than man’s opinion. If we had listened to the experts, one-third of our family would not exist.

When a nation opens the door to sin, it never stops with one issue.

   •   Oregon decriminalized hard drugs like heroin and cocaine.

   •   Utah removed gender-specific terms from its constitution. By that standard, even reading the Bible aloud which speaks of male and female could be ruled unconstitutional.

   •   Burning the American flag was once condemned; now it is celebrated. Even worse, we have seen Bibles burned in the streets.

As Isaiah said:

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who replace darkness with light and light with darkness.” (Isaiah 5:20, TPT)

What was once honored is now despised. What was once condemned is now celebrated.

Judges 2 gives us God’s perspective:

“I said I would never break my covenant with you, but you have not obeyed me. You have broken the covenant.” (Judges 2:1–2, paraphrased)

God doesn’t break His covenant. People do.

I believe America has broken its covenant with God. And yet, Judges 3 says God sometimes leaves challenges to test whether His people will obey. Could our current crises be a divine test to see whether America will return to Him?

The tragedy of Judges was a generation that “did not know the LORD or the works He had done.” (Judges 2:10) Why? Because the parents failed to teach them.

Scripture gives us the remedy:

“Write these commandments on your hearts. Teach them to your children. Talk about them at home and on the road, when you wake up and when you go to bed.” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7, MSG)

The responsibility lies with us not government, not schools, not politicians. We must saturate our homes with God’s Word, model it in our lives, and teach it to our children.

That’s why, during Tammy’s cancer battle at City of Hope Hospital, I created a photo book filled with stories of God’s faithfulness. It wasn’t just for her it was a testimony for our children and grandchildren. As Joel 1:3 says:

“Tell your children about it… and let your children tell their children.” (NLT)

Though America is in crisis, I still believe there is hope.

Deuteronomy 9 says Israel faced enemies too strong for them, but God promised to go before them “as a devouring fire.” Why? Not because they were righteous, but because He still had a mission for them.

Likewise, I believe God is not finished with America not because of our goodness, but because He still has a mission for us.

If His people will humble themselves, repent, and pray, He can heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

America is at a crossroads. This is a battle for truth, for righteousness, for the very soul of the nation. The question is: will we sit back and watch the drift or will we take our stand in prayer, obedience, and teaching the next generation?

We cannot outsource this to politicians. It is the church’s calling.

“My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.” (Psalm 22:25, NKJV)

We must gather. We must pray. We must teach. We must shine.

Yes, the battle is real. But greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). And if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

So let us stand strong. Let us declare truth in love. Let us teach our children the ways of the Lord.

Because I believe with all my heart: God is not finished with America.