These are trying times. They are stressful times. They are times of uncertainty. There is nothing new about that. We’ve all been through times like this, but there is something different this time — something sinister.

The difference is that there is a foul-smelling spirit being let loose on the land. It is a spirit of indecency, unkindness, rudeness, crudeness, hatred, retribution, belittling, hostility, violence, and resentment, and all this is creating a general attitude of malaise and anxiety permeating our culture.

I have never seen as strong a force of evil loose in the land, and even more shocking, is the fact that all this appears to be acceptable—even desirable— to many people, even those who should know better.

The younger generations for the most part are caught up in the malaise; the older ones may be appalled, but they show little concern, since they know they are soon to be jettisoned free of this planet, so why should they care?

This is certainly a time when believers will stand out if only because the characteristics they will manifest through the Holy Spirit in their lives are the direct opposite of these horrendous trends.

Just meditate for a moment on the fruits of the Spirit in relation to this prevailing mood of the day: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Such a person is liable to be ridiculed in today’s society, especially as a man among men, but at the same time, many will be drawn to the courage it takes to manifest the difference.

If we consistently make an effort to rely on the Holy Spirit, our lives will manifest these qualities, and we will—by the mere fact of who we are—stand out. We will be noticed. We will contrast the prevailing trends and row against the tide.

So head into the wind and keep on. The smell is atrocious, but the sweet fragrance of your life will overcome it.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)