The recent flurry of legal battles and legislative moves surrounding gender identity and related issues is a stark reminder of the ongoing cultural clash in America. The Montana Supreme Court, New Jersey’s Freedom to Read Act, and the National Defense Authorization Act all represent different aspects of this struggle, touching on youth, education, and military policy. Let’s break it down.

Montana Supreme Court and Privacy Rights

The Montana Supreme Court blocked a state ban on gender-affirming care for youth, leaning heavily on privacy rights under the state constitution. Now, conservatives hold the belief that parents should have the primary say in how children are raised, not the state. But that doesn’t mean every whim or trend is necessarily good for children—or society at large.

Montana’s case raises a critical question: Do privacy rights extend to allowing children and teens access to potentially life-altering medical treatments, like puberty blockers or surgery? For many Christians, the answer is a firm “no,” especially considering how impressionable youth are. Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Training involves guidance, boundaries, and discernment—not rushing into decisions that could cause regret.

Still, this court decision shows that winning the legal argument may require sharpening our approach. While many agree that minors need protection from irreversible choices, privacy rights arguments can be persuasive in courtrooms. It’s a reminder that standing firm on biblical values also requires engaging in legal battles with wisdom and finesse.

New Jersey’s Freedom to Read Act

On the flip side, New Jersey passed the “Freedom to Read Act” to limit book bans, especially those targeting LGBTQ+ content. Its supporters argue that banning books infringes on freedom of speech. But let’s be real: Is this really about freedom of speech, or is it about pushing an agenda onto kids?

Parents have been raising concerns—not because they hate free expression, but because they love their kids. Books like Gender Queer and other graphic materials have found their way into school libraries, leaving parents horrified. And no, we’re not talking about classic works like Huckleberry Finn or To Kill a Mockingbird—we’re talking about books with explicit sexual content that would make even Hollywood blush.

The Bible is clear on the importance of protecting children from harmful influences: “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck” (Matthew 18:6). While proponents of the Freedom to Read Act paint book bans as a slippery slope to censorship, there’s a fine line between fostering knowledge and safeguarding innocence. Parents, not bureaucrats, should have the final say on what’s appropriate for their kids to read.

National Defense Authorization Act and Military Health Insurance

In a significant victory for common sense, the National Defense Authorization Act included a provision barring military health insurance from covering gender-affirming care for minors. It’s one thing for private citizens to make their own healthcare choices; it’s another to use taxpayer dollars to fund procedures many Americans find morally troubling.

As Christians, we believe in caring for all people, including those struggling with their gender identity. But that doesn’t mean endorsing or funding treatments that run contrary to biblical truth and natural law. Genesis 1:27 is crystal clear: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” This is not a gray area, folks.

The military has one primary job: defending our nation. Its focus should be on readiness, not social experiments. If military resources are limited (and they always are), funding treatments for minors with unproven long-term benefits is not just impractical—it’s irresponsible.

Where Do We Go From Here?

These three stories reflect the cultural tug-of-war happening across America. While it’s easy to get discouraged, Christians must remember that this is a spiritual battle as much as a cultural one. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.”

The Montana ruling shows we must sharpen our legal strategies to protect children. New Jersey’s law underscores the need for parents to stay involved in their kids’ education. And the National Defense Authorization Act proves that small victories are still possible in the political arena.

As Christians and conservatives, we can disagree with these developments while still showing love and compassion to everyone involved. Standing for truth doesn’t mean being hateful—it means being courageous, wise, and faithful. After all, the goal isn’t just to win arguments. It’s to point people toward the ultimate truth found in Christ.

And as we do, let’s keep a good sense of humor. The culture might be crazy, but we don’t have to lose our joy in the process. As they say, God’s got this. Keep praying, stay involved, and maybe—just maybe—read a good book while you’re at it (one that doesn’t need banning).