Good morning! The churches in America and all over the world are praying and watching the events transpiring in Afghanistan. Churches (including missionaries and pastors) are getting word out regarding the persecution taking place and know there is more to come.

While we must analyze how this happened from a political standpoint, we must also recognize one fact that, sadly, many American Christians have forgotten. Rather than churches leaning into fleshly desires and passions in order to reach others with like desires and passions, we must live as if Christ has crucified the flesh. This is key for churches to grow strong and stay faithful until the end.

Galatians 5:24 comes immediately after the section where Paul outlines the “desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:17-21) and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The desires of the flesh fall into three categories: sexual, religious, and relational sins–each showing a desire to gratify self. The fruit of the Spirit shows ways to love God and love your neighbor with a sacrificial and selfless love.

The missionaries under persecution in Afghanistan are ready for what’s to come because they have been trained by Christ through the Spirit to put self aside for the everlasting cause of Christ. Rather than pity them for their duress, let us look at them with wonder and emulate them for their devotion.