Sword of Truth
“Now, Sword of Truth, fly swift and sure, that evil die and good endure!”
This is the blessing the good faerie Flora bestows on an enchanted sword gifted to Prince Philip, along with the Shield of Virtue. The evil in question is the dreaded Maleficent, a power that has long haunted the Princess Aurora (and her kingdom) since her birth. Philip defends himself from Maleficent’s power, which she associates with the very powers of Hell. This is an epic showdown between good and evil, and the terrible dragon is felled by a single blow from the Sword of Truth. An innocent expression of love frees Aurora to walk in her destiny. This same love wakes those who were trapped, asleep under Maleficent’s spell on the castle and its inhabitants.
This is the Disney I grew up with; stories that, whether the writers truly understood, were infused with godly virtues. Evil was terrible and destructive, but good and light overcame. Love was sacred and children’s innocence was preserved. I would never say Disney is the “hope of humanity”, but they were at least a good source of good stories full of hope. I have a sister who loved (and loves) these movies and stories, and I have the same affection. These stories were meaningful because they were built up from a culture that valued truth and purity, even just a little bit.
Now, a handful of loud-mouthed executives and producers are partnering with the Dragon that torments children, lying to them about who they were created to be and entrapping them. This same lie results in regret, pain, suicide and darkness, and countless stories of those who barely escaped after nearly ruining their bodies. Even a common sense bill that limits more mature sexual education to older students and keeps younger kids focused on learning to read and count and color becomes the enemy. All this to satiate the Dragon’s endless appetite.
It has gone so far as to infect their parks, in their obsession to enforce “non-gendered” language. As if natural femininity and masculinity, even in language, should be avoided at all costs in favor of meaningless coddling. It’s for “tolerance”, but all it really does is feed the Dragon. Prince Philip’s sword and shield have been tossed aside, and the sleeping, innocent Aurora must now contend with the sneering, slavering dragon alone.
But does she? Disney isn’t the salt or light of the world. These loud voices and corrupt elites are merely symptoms of a fallen world. They are as deceived and trapped as the voices they are catering to. Disney movies and parks are certainly a source of joy, but they, like everything, are wholly fueled and dependent on the culture around them. A culture whose constant decay can be prevented just by loving Jesus and obeying Him, protecting the little ones He adores.
We can take hold of the Sword that is swift and true. We can contend against the dragon. We can tell stories full of light and truth, from our own imaginations and from the truth of the Word of God. I want stories full of light, hope, and truth for my children and grandchildren. That won’t come from a culture incapable of seeing sin and the grotesque damage it causes.
But, it starts in the hearts of parents toward their children, not movies with the Disney logo.
What if we raised kids who were so sweetly and strongly aware of who God made them to be, that there’s no question of their safety and peace of mind in the classroom?
Kids that know He created them male and female, and that men and women both carry and reflect the glory of God in distinct and wonderful ways?
Kids that know there’s nothing wrong with them or the beautiful bodies God created?
What if we taught hurting and troubled kids that their young minds and bodies are growing and balancing? That they didn’t need to be butchered or to dance to appease the Dragon — who does not want them to be who they really are?
Jesus said that the hearts of little children are the hearts His disciples must echo. Hearts full of faith, devotion, and joy. He rebuked His disciples when they tried to dismiss children, but encouraged them to come to Him just like those little ones He drew near?
For only those who come to Jesus like a child will truly know Him:
“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:4)
He also delivered a terrible and eternal warning to those who partner with the dragon against those precious little ones:
“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
Children are the future of humanity. Children are most beloved by their Heavenly Father. Jesus will rain holy, terrible vengeance on those who harmed them and led them into the horrors of sin against their own bodies. (His words, not mine).
But He delights in those who draw to Him with childlike innocence, and those who teach their little ones who they truly are. We are salt and light. We wield the Sword of Truth. We must, for the sake of our children and our children’s children. We can be storytellers that celebrate image bearers as the Image Giver made them to be.
A very wise vegetable often repeated words that children my age carry deep down, as a reminder from the Lord:
“God made you special, and He loves you very much.”
God made you just the way you are, and He loves you. The Dragon fears you, for he knows his doom awaits at your hands, and that he will one day fall into fire as Maleficent did.
What will you do to bear the Sword of Truth for the little ones?
What stories of love, virtue and truth will you leave behind?
How will you fight to change culture for them?
Will you stand against decay and the dragon?
There is no plan B.
