One of the most effective ways an adversary can overcome another, whether it be another person, organization, or nation, is by influencing the mind of the other to act against himself or his nation. An example of this can be seen in the third season finale (6/18/1990) and fourth season premiere (9/24/1990) episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Best of Both Worlds, Parts 1 & 2.

The Borg, a humanoid race composed of organic and biomechatronic body parts linked together into a hive mind called "the Collective," entered Federation space in a cubed-shaped starship with the intent to conquer Earth. The Borg expand their power and control by integrating the knowledge and technology of other alien species through a process called "assimilation," where individuals are forcibly injected with nanoparticles that alter their cellular DNA and transform them into drones that do the will of the Collective.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard was ordered to take the USS Enterprise to intercept the Borg ship, but in their confrontation the Borg overcame the Enterprise's shields, boarded the ship, and abducted Picard. He was assimilated, given a new name, and changed from a loyal Federation officer dedicated to protecting Earth to a tool of the Borg bent on its destruction. When the Borg opened communications with the Enterprise and appeared on the bridge's main viewscreen, it was Picard with Borg implants who spoke to Commander Riker and the bridge crew:

"I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From this time forward, you will service us."

Making use of Picard's knowledge, Locutus rendered ineffective the Enterprise's efforts to stop the Borg vessel and left it temporarily crippled and unable to follow them to Earth. As the Enterprise crew made repairs, it learned that forty Starfleet ships had gathered at the Wolf 359 star system to intercept the Borg. But once again, Locutus made use of the knowledge of Starfleet technology and tactics from the assimilated Picard, and the one Borg cube succeeded in destroying the fleet, resulting in about eleven thousand fatalities.

With the warp engine and defense system repairs completed, the Enterprise pursued and re-engaged the Borg ship near Earth orbit. This time Riker set aside standard Starfleet tactics and others known by Picard. He used some unorthodox maneuvers to disrupt the Borg sensors and shields, opening the way to send Lt. Cmdr. Data and Lt. Worf in a shuttlecraft to apprehend Locutus to rescue Picard.

Once on board the Enterprise, the nanoparticles were removed from Picard, and his thralldom to the Borg Collective was ended. Using the knowledge of Borg ship operations he gained as Locutus, he was able to get Data to transmit a "sleep" command to the Borg vessel, shutting down its defenses and allowing the Enterprise to destroy it, thus saving the people of Earth.

We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with all kinds of messages meant to alter our thinking and cause us to act against our own good, often by entities that seek to overcome, enslave, and destroy us.

Young children in many government schools are indoctrinated by teachers to reject the moral or religious stances of their parents, secretly change their names, and set them on the path to puberty suppressant drugs and genital mutilation surgeries to supposedly change their sex. But the end result is sterilization, slavery to the pharmaceutical industry, and misery.

Students in most colleges and universities are taught by Marxist professors who seek to encourage dissatisfaction or hatred of America and turn them away from the Judeo-Christian principles of the American constitutional republic toward communism, a failed political philosophy that has never delivered on its promises of peace and prosperity but has led to enslavement and mass murder wherever implemented.

Many receive their news and entertainment from social media and are too often indoctrinated by podcasters with large followings whose channels are boosted directly or indirectly by foreign adversaries seeking to change the attitudes and beliefs of Americans so that friends are viewed as adversaries and enemies as virtuous friends worthy of emulation, the end goal being the weakening of the United States and the strengthening of countries such as Russia and China and ideologies such as communism and Islam seeking its demise.

Those misled by these and many similar things are like Captain Picard in Star Trek, who was kidnapped by the Borg and injected with their nanoparticles to manipulate him into attacking and destroying what he held dear. The Bible teaches that "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one" (1 John 5:19) and that many are "held captive by him to do his will" (2 Timothy 2:26). Like the Borg, the devil ever seeks to deceive us into turning away from the Savior Jesus Christ and embracing things that lead to destruction.

Just as Picard was helpless to save himself from the Borg and needed outside help from the Enterprise crew to rescue him, so we, too, are helpless to save ourselves from our sins against God and each other and the deceptions of the devil. But Jesus came to die for our sins on the cross to deliver anyone who trusts in Him (Romans 5:6). It is He who rescues us, removes the nanoparticles of sin from us, and brings us into His kingdom (Colossians 1:13). Jesus turns those who trust in Him from a destructive path to one led by the Holy Spirit as adopted children of God.

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him." (Romans 8:14-17)

Do not be assimilated to this world, which will pass away, but believe the gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Do not be covered by the cheap red paint of Marxism that brings destruction. Instead, be covered by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ shed on the cross for the forgiveness of sinners that brings peace with God, adoption as His child, and the gift of eternal life.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)