Christian Living

The Forgotten Victims of War: Christians in the Middle East

by Brother Carlton 
04/08/26
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While many in the West debate politics, economics, and military strategy, there is a quieter story unfolding—one that rarely makes the headlines.

It is the story of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

And they are suffering.

In places like Lebanon and surrounding regions, Christian families are being displaced from their homes. Churches that once gathered in peace are now scattered. Some worship in fear. Others have fled altogether.

And yet, much of the world barely notices.

“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”  Hebrews 13:3 (KJV)

That verse is not a suggestion. It is a command.

If one part of the body suffers, we are all meant to feel it.

Christians in the Middle East are not policymakers. They are not generals. They are not making decisions that affect nations.

They are ordinary people.

Fathers trying to protect their families.
Mothers trying to feed their children.
Children trying to understand why their world has been turned upside down.

And yet they are caught in the middle.

Bombs do not ask who you voted for.
Missiles do not check your theology.
War does not discriminate.

Homes are destroyed. Communities are uprooted. Believers are driven from the very lands where Christianity was first preached.

This should grieve us deeply.

The human cost of this war is not theoretical, it is measurable, and it is staggering.

More than 1,500 people have been killed in Lebanon, and between 1.1 and 1.3 million people have been displaced. Entire communities have been uprooted. Among them are thousands of Christians, now scattered, uncertain, and struggling to survive.

Think about that.

Families who once sat around dinner tables… now wondering where their next meal will come from.
Children who once laughed and played… now surrounded by fear and instability.

And the suffering of children is perhaps the most heartbreaking of all.

More than 340 children have been killed across the region, and nearly 400,000 children in Lebanon alone have been displaced.

These are not just numbers.

These are sons and daughters.

In some Christian towns, basic necessities like food, insulin, and clean water are becoming scarce. Aid is delayed. Supplies are limited. Survival itself becomes uncertain.

This is what war does.

And the financial cost continues to grow. Hundreds of millions of dollars are already being requested in emergency aid, and the long-term destruction—homes, infrastructure, livelihoods—will likely reach into the billions.

But beyond the numbers, the burden falls on the vulnerable.

“Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees… to turn aside the needy.” — Isaiah 10:1–2 (KJV)

War drives up oil prices. Higher oil raises transportation costs. Fertilizer becomes more expensive. Food prices increase.

And who suffers most?

Not the powerful.
Not the wealthy.

The poor.

A mother trying to feed her children feels it.
A farmer trying to grow crops feels it.
A child going to bed hungry feels it.

War makes life harder for those who already have the least.

“The borrower is servant to the lender.”  Proverbs 22:7 (KJV)

Wars are financed through debt. Money is expanded. Inflation rises. And the cost is passed on to the people.

But Scripture does not leave us guessing about the deeper cause.

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war…”   James 4:1–2 (KJV)

This is a sobering truth.

War is not born out of righteousness, but out of sinful desire.

A desire for power.
A desire for control.
A desire for resources.
A desire for dominance.

And when we step back and look at the broader picture, a troubling pattern emerges.

Years ago, retired General Wesley Clark described a conversation he had at the Pentagon shortly after 9/11. He said he was shown a plan outlining how the United States would take out seven countries in five years:

Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan—and finally Iran.

Think about that.

Iraq—attacked.
Syria—destabilized.
Libya—overthrown.
And now Iran stands at the center of escalating conflict.

Whether one agrees with every detail or not, the pattern raises serious questions.

Are these events random?

Or is there a broader pursuit of influence, control, and dominance in the region?

We must ask honestly:

Are leaders acting out of righteousness?

Or are they driven by the same desires James warned about—power, resources, and control?

If that is the case, then we must be willing to say what Scripture says:

This is not godly.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil…” — Isaiah 5:20 (KJV)

Even voices outside Protestant Christianity have spoken against war. Leaders within the Roman Catholic Church have said plainly, “War is a defeat for humanity.”

And they are right.

Jesus Christ Himself said:

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”   Matthew 5:9 (KJV)

“Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”   Matthew 26:52 (KJV)

And yet, despite these clear teachings, many continue to justify war—especially when it is led by those they support politically.

This should concern us.

Because it reveals something deeper.

There are also questions of transparency surrounding powerful individuals and past associations that continue to trouble many people. While we must not assume guilt without evidence, we must also recognize that lack of transparency erodes trust.

“For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed…” — Luke 12:2 (KJV)

Truth does not fear the light.

But beyond politics and economics, we must look even deeper.

Scripture tells us that behind the events of this world, there are spiritual forces at work.

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea… and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” — Revelation 13:1–2 (KJV)

“And I beheld another beast… and he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth.” — Revelation 13:11–14 (KJV)

These forces—the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet—have operated throughout history. But there are times when their influence becomes more visible.

Revelation also tells us:

“And shall go out to deceive the nations…” — Revelation 20:7–8 (KJV)

When deception spreads broadly, we must take notice.

Because that is exactly what we see today.

We see widespread confusion about truth.
We see false teaching spreading rapidly.
We see moral standards collapsing.
We see churches weakening.

We see people calling evil good and good evil.

False religions have multiplied. Movements have arisen that deny essential truths of Scripture, including the deity of Christ. Philosophies have spread that remove God from creation and redefine humanity itself.

Cultural influences have increasingly promoted sensuality, rebellion, and self-centered living.

At the same time, many churches have become weak on doctrine, weak on discipline, and weak on holiness.

The apostle Paul warned of this:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…” — 2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV)

And again:

“In the latter times some shall depart from the faith… giving heed to seducing spirits.” — 1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV)

This is not happening in isolation.

It is part of a larger deception.

And in that environment, something very dangerous can happen:

Political power rises…
Religious voices support it…
And people follow—believing they are doing right.

“And all the world wondered after the beast.” — Revelation 13:3 (KJV)

That is the warning.

Not that deception will be obvious—but that it will be widely accepted.

That is why we must be careful.

“Put not your trust in princes…” — Psalm 146:3 (KJV)

Our trust is not in political leaders.

It is in God.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV)

We must test everything.

We must examine everything.

We must measure everything against Scripture.

Because in the end, this is not just about war.

It is about truth.

It is about deception.

It is about whether we will stand with God’s Word—or be swept along by the spirit of the age.

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” — Proverbs 14:34 (KJV)

If war is driven by lust, as James tells us, then it cannot be righteous.

And if it is not righteous, then it cannot have God’s approval.

That should give us pause.

Because one day, every leader—and every one of us—will answer not to public opinion…

…but to God.

And He is not concerned with political victories.

He is concerned with truth.

Brother Carlton is a former U.S. Marine, Hollywood actor, and entrepreneur whose life journey—from the Marine Corps to Hollywood to Christian ministry—has given him a unique perspective on faith, purpose, and personal transformation. Today, he devotes his time to studying Scripture, writing, speaking, and helping select small business owners improve their marketing and grow their businesses ethically and effectively.

His book, Digging For Spiritual Treasure: A Collection of Meditations From My Hollywood Apartment, shares powerful spiritual insights drawn from Scripture and real-life experiences to help readers deepen their faith and apply biblical wisdom in everyday life. Search “Digging For Spiritual Treasure Brother Carlton” on Amazon to learn more.

You can also listen to The Brother Carlton Show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where he shares biblical insights, life lessons, and practical wisdom for living with greater purpose.

For ministry, speaking, or business inquiries: [email protected] (please include “HELP” in the subject line)