Stand
- Larry Kutzler
- Nov 26, 2025
- 3 min read
Probably the most influential word that has impacted my life in recent days has been the word ‘stand.’ The word defined as I am using it means, “to have a determined effort to resist or fight for something and remain unaltered.” As I peruse the Internet and Social Media, I see so much controversy with opinions that are extreme on both ends of the liberal and conservation spectrum.
The Prophet Daniel said that in the Last Days both travel and knowledge will increase, and of course that has come true today. However, with more knowledge comes the responsibility in how to use it appropriately for the good of society and not weaponized for its destruction. Knowledge can be like a loaded gun pointed at people for the simple reason of getting your way. No one likes the pressure to conform to any ideology that is forced upon us, yet in our world that is exactly what happens. This is why the word ‘stand’ is important to me.
Resistance is never easy, but essential in standing for what is right. The Book of James illustrates this idea of taking a stand of resistance against the pressure to conform to something that is not right.
James 4:7 So, humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
As a pastor for many years, I have seen the Church lose footing on issues where we needed to take a stand to become the voice of resistance against evil. As I have said many times, I have built a career on one question, “What is missing?” If I ask that question today about the modern Church, I would have to say, “We stand for less and give in to more.” I believe the Church dabbles some in opposing the issues that the Bible says are evil and wrong, but we don’t stand as if to say, “Here we stand we will not be moved.”
For a very long time, our methods of preparing and equipping the Church to take a stand have been weak. This is not a criticism, just an observation. The observation is not to hurt, but to ask that question, “What is missing?” Teaching people to stand, to push back with courage, and to establish an immovable beach head against the pressures of conforming to the ideology of today, is lacking. I realize that this may be a broad brush, but I listen to Christians talk, and their conversations rarely have a concern of how they are using what God has given them to ‘stand.’ Somehow taking a stand is okay for those who push evil, but for the righteous it seems self-serving and bigoted.
Standing is what makes the message known. It is difficult to be effective from the shadows. Staying safe with the Gospel is the least effective way to influence people. Taking a stand, putting up a defense and an offense is how the game is played. If you are weak on either one … you lose the game. This is why I say, our Churches are weak on both an offense and defense against the pressure to conform. The message I hear from the Holy Spirit … “Now is the time to prepare, to strengthen your stand, to choose courage, and to be immovable in what you believe. It will cost you something … it will require brokenness through surrender, and it will require that you go further with God than you have ever gone in your past.”
Buckle up buttercup, it’s time to ‘stand.’
Challenging the Culture with Truth … Larry Kutzler