The Lord has laid this heavy on my heart to illustrate to you the problem of sin.
Here is an extreme example: imagine a robber points at your head with a gun and says he'll let you live if you recant your faith in Christ. What is more important to you, choosing Christ and everlasting life or choosing a faithless life on earth? I assume many of you would be horrified and outraged at the thought of someone suggesting you to recant your faith in Christ. I doubt any of you would think, "Well, if I recant Christ now, He'll always take me back when I ask for forgiveness before I go to bed." or even "If I deny Christ now and live, then I can save more people for God's glory -- I won't be of any use up in Heaven anyway."
How absolutely absurd! The thought of such betrayal sickens me, and hopefully you.
But isn't that what Satan does on a small scale every day? Doesn't he point the threat of sin at your head and say "I'll satisfy your temptations if you disobey Christ"? Aren't you making a choice between sin and God every time (assuming as I do that sin is a willful disobedience against God's known Law, or the refusal to do what you know to be right)? If you choose to sin against God, it is normally accompanied with a twinge of guilt and an excuse such as "I can always ask for forgiveness" or "there's no point in looking weird -- no one will listen to me if I follow God on this one. Wouldn't He rather I bring souls to Him?" or worse yet, "the temptation is too great to bear."
You know what I say to this? How absolutely absurd. The modern Christian mindset is sickening. Many of us have been brought up to believe that sin is normal, and we try as we like, we will never be rid of it. Some are even encouraged to find disobedience necessary because it proves how very reliant we are on Christ, and portrays His grace. It is not some secret within Christianity that we, as children of a Holy God, are supposed to despise sin and love righteousness. Yet why is the modern message, "Don't judge me; I'm a sinner too!" The modern message promotes that Christians are no holier than the typical sinner in an attempt to neutralize their self-imposed inadequacy. Ironically, most non-Christians are turned off by the fact that the church preaches overcoming sin and then turns around and commits fraud or adultery. All of the failures of the modern church further prove to non-Christians that God is not worth following, because He can't even control His own people.
God is not weak! God does not say "I don't mind if you sin because I will just overlook it", or "it's okay if you sin because I can't completely cleanse you anyway". On the contrary, God commands us to be holy, to commit ourselves to Him and trust that He will perfect us in obedience, so that we may live our lives as holy and blameless children, walking in the righteousness of Him who makes us pure. We do not hide behind Christ and hope God overlooks our sin; we allow Christ to take a sledgehammer to our sin! Christ will not take a sledgehammer to it until you fully commit it to Him. There is no "return policy" on sin. You can't just say, "okay God, I will get rid of this sin for now, but I can't promise anything for later." You either commit it to God or you don't. You either genuinely repent of your sin, or you are just saying words in vain. God is not fooled by hypocrisy, and He does not accept evil. Christians cannot be both darkness and light; we cannot serve both God and sin. It is a horrible injustice and blasphemy to God's name to suggest that we are allowed to sin against Him.
Jeremiah 7:8-11
8 “Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. 9 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, 10 and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations’? 11 Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says the LORD.
1 John 3:4-10
4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
Hebrews 10:26-27
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
James 3:10-12
10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh
Romans 6:15-18
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin instruments of righteousness to God. leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
Just as surely as God hates sin, He keeps His promises. Jesus does not leave us to deal with Satan all by ourselves; on the contrary, the power to defeat sin is made in Christ alone. By recognizing our complete reliance on Jesus to make us pure, we are empowered to withstand temptation and choose God over sin every time. The only time it is ever hard to choose Jesus over Satan is if you love Satan more than God.
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
James 4:7-8
7Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
John 14:21
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
1 John 2:3-6
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Romans 6:5-7
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Romans 6:11-14
11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
If you consider sin to be unacceptable, but unavoidable, I urge you to study the above passages. God's Word says we are freed from sin when we accept and obey Him. It says that we are either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness. There is none of this "you're still holy if you sin" or even "Christians aren't holy" that the modern church is spewing. There is a way out for every temptation, there is a choice to be made every time between sin and God. Which will you choose when the gun is pointed at your head? Do you love God enough to allow Him to completely free you from sin, or do you love your sin so much you cannot imagine a life without it?
The gun will always be pointing, so choose wisely.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
No Greater Love
I have no hesitation in saying that the plot of this poem was inspired directly by God a year and a half ago. I did not know how to "get it out", so to speak, so I settled on writing a poem. One day I would love to make a novel or play out of it, but I would rather this important and controversial topic stay in the limelight now. Human life is too precious to avoid or put off until more "convenient" times. I hope and pray that this poem will raise important issues and provide an opportunity for self-reflection for all of my readers. Soli Deo Gloria.
No Greater Love
A godlier couple none could find here
than the young Whittingers, wholesome and true.
Obeying the Lord through His holy grace,
they worshiped the Trinity through and through.
The wife was Lorelei, a priceless gem,
a woman of many faith-filling deeds,
She served her town in Christ's manner of love
and fulfilled all of her dear husband's needs.
Jakob, the husband, a God-fearing man,
served humbly with love to all in his life
His example revealed the heart of Christ;
submission to God and loving his wife.
Their love was selfless like medieval tales,
full of purity, honor, and strength too,
All who witnessed their gentle caresses
knew with no doubt true love sustained and grew.
Overjoyed were their hearts with the good news
that young Lorelei's womb carried a child,
a new life the Whittingers yearned to raise
with tender love and Truth undefiled.
Every morning and night Jakob knelt down
to tenderly kiss the still growing life.
He'd whisper "We love you and the Lord too"
and lovingly embrace his glowing wife.
The time came for the doctor's first visit
to check the baby and Lorelei's health
"Everything's fine and the baby is safe,
all’s according to plan -- you're well yourself."
The loving couple held hands and smiled
praising the Lord for the blessings bestowed
for knowing all good things come from above,
humbles the heart and helps faith down the road.
The second big visit for them came 'round
and this time the news was not quite so good
"I'm sorry – you’re fine but your child is not;
The life it will lead is not what it should."
The worried couple linked arms and replied,
"Our child was just fine, how bad can this be?
What changed for worse, was it something we did?"
"No, this disease is Trisomy 18."
With compassion the doctor continued,
"Your child’s life will be lacking much mirth,
the heart, mind, kidneys will fail in a year,
or else the child will die before birth."
"There is a difficult choice to be made,
keep or abort the child, but it will die."
With pity, he left the couple in peace,
to adjust to the horrid news and cry.
At once to their Savior they prayed in tears,
"Lord Jesus, take this soul if it’s Your will,
we will praise you even then – but please Lord,
heal our baby and give life to fulfill!"
The next time the doctor came they answered,
"We cannot in good faith abort this child,
there is always hope for a miracle,
giving up would be our faith defiled."
The doctor understood and prepared them,
and encouraged them to take it in stride
for many expectations could go wrong,
but his promise was to be by their side.
"Thank you, dear doctor, the Lord bless your life,
we love your honesty and compassion.
Whether or not this child is to die,
we will still live in a holy fashion."
So the Whittingers pressed on, still joyful,
tainted by the unknown of tomorrow,
they sang to their child and prayed for life,
though their hearts wept in expectant sorrow.
"Have faith," their friends told them, hugging them hard,
"Disease is cruel but the Lord has seen worse."
"Thank you for your support, but we have faith,
our reality just plagues like a curse."
Lorelei would not shop without Jakob
she could not bear to meet strangers alone,
she fought temptation to covet children
and held back tears with her mom on the phone.
"Blessed wife, take strength in the Lord's vast grace,
and please find comfort in my loving arms,
I love you no matter what happens here,
and I'll protect your heart from Satan's charms."
"Oh husband, I thank you for your support,
the love you shower on me and our babe,
I praise God daily, for you are a gift,
a fine father you'll make on that great day."
The embraced couple rained tears from their eyes,
mixed with joy, sorrow, and expectant prayers.
They prayed God would take away the child's pain
for they did not know how her comfort fared.
Days turned to weeks and the weeks into months
Lorelei felt pains and she was doctored
"It’s too premature for the baby's time,
a tear in the placenta has occurred."
He said, with a grave look, wringing his hands,
"Rethink abortion, she’s destined to die,
this is my firm medical opinion
for I fear this birth may claim your wife."
"Faithless men dictate this with their logic,
what says your heart, my dear doctor, my friend?"
He could not face such an angel in pain
he gave them some names of women in mend.
The first woman was once in a like state,
but aborted with sorrow and resolve.
"He was brain dead and bad was my health,
I have three children whose lives I revolve."
"Did you regret it?" asked Lorelei still,
"Yes, but if in vain I gave birth and died,
my husband would have a brain dead child
no wife to raise him, no heart for a bride."
The next woman could not bear to abort.
Her child lived for nearly two long years
before the poor parents were left to grieve,
"But truth be told, my health was not a fear."
Conflicted, she thought “what would Jesus do?”
She wept and considered his sacrifice,
"Lord, give me faith to do as you command,
for with holy blood you paid for our lives."
With peace she spoke to her loving husband,
"My darling, I know now what I must do.
We cannot allow doubt to hinder us."
"I agree, love, no abortion for you."
Then suddenly, an unbearable pain
seized her and brought her shaking to her knees,
"Jakob, love, the baby is arriving!"
He pulled her upright quick and grabbed the keys.
He rushed to the hospital and ran in,
she was screaming, shuddering and too pale,
"Somebody, please help us! Get the doctor,
My wife's in pain!" he explained in a wail.
The staff rushed to her side with a wheelchair,
"Breathe, Lorelei, breathe, everything's all right,"
The doctor ran to them with a clean smock,
ready to help her deliver all night.
The painful labor and horrible cries
seemed difficult at too early a stage.
Jakob prayed to God for a miracle,
for his wife was lost in a pain-filled daze.
Whimpers and blood poured quick out of her now
with no sign of a child, dead or alive.
They planned a C-Section to help them through
for at this rate neither one would survive.
The doctor came outside, shielding his voice,
"Jakob, I have terrible news," he cried,
"I can save one but the other will die.
Tonight, right now, you will have to decide."
He fell to his knees, hands raised to Heaven,
"Father, hear my plea! This I cannot do!
Do not ask me to pick my wife or child,
They are my life! Choose for me Lord, please choose."
He lay weeping and prostrate on the floor
Lifting his prayers up above when he heard
A singular voice, strong and determined,
Passionately spoke only these three words:
"Save my child! Save my child!"
No Greater Love
A godlier couple none could find here
than the young Whittingers, wholesome and true.
Obeying the Lord through His holy grace,
they worshiped the Trinity through and through.
The wife was Lorelei, a priceless gem,
a woman of many faith-filling deeds,
She served her town in Christ's manner of love
and fulfilled all of her dear husband's needs.
Jakob, the husband, a God-fearing man,
served humbly with love to all in his life
His example revealed the heart of Christ;
submission to God and loving his wife.
Their love was selfless like medieval tales,
full of purity, honor, and strength too,
All who witnessed their gentle caresses
knew with no doubt true love sustained and grew.
Overjoyed were their hearts with the good news
that young Lorelei's womb carried a child,
a new life the Whittingers yearned to raise
with tender love and Truth undefiled.
Every morning and night Jakob knelt down
to tenderly kiss the still growing life.
He'd whisper "We love you and the Lord too"
and lovingly embrace his glowing wife.
The time came for the doctor's first visit
to check the baby and Lorelei's health
"Everything's fine and the baby is safe,
all’s according to plan -- you're well yourself."
The loving couple held hands and smiled
praising the Lord for the blessings bestowed
for knowing all good things come from above,
humbles the heart and helps faith down the road.
The second big visit for them came 'round
and this time the news was not quite so good
"I'm sorry – you’re fine but your child is not;
The life it will lead is not what it should."
The worried couple linked arms and replied,
"Our child was just fine, how bad can this be?
What changed for worse, was it something we did?"
"No, this disease is Trisomy 18."
With compassion the doctor continued,
"Your child’s life will be lacking much mirth,
the heart, mind, kidneys will fail in a year,
or else the child will die before birth."
"There is a difficult choice to be made,
keep or abort the child, but it will die."
With pity, he left the couple in peace,
to adjust to the horrid news and cry.
At once to their Savior they prayed in tears,
"Lord Jesus, take this soul if it’s Your will,
we will praise you even then – but please Lord,
heal our baby and give life to fulfill!"
The next time the doctor came they answered,
"We cannot in good faith abort this child,
there is always hope for a miracle,
giving up would be our faith defiled."
The doctor understood and prepared them,
and encouraged them to take it in stride
for many expectations could go wrong,
but his promise was to be by their side.
"Thank you, dear doctor, the Lord bless your life,
we love your honesty and compassion.
Whether or not this child is to die,
we will still live in a holy fashion."
So the Whittingers pressed on, still joyful,
tainted by the unknown of tomorrow,
they sang to their child and prayed for life,
though their hearts wept in expectant sorrow.
"Have faith," their friends told them, hugging them hard,
"Disease is cruel but the Lord has seen worse."
"Thank you for your support, but we have faith,
our reality just plagues like a curse."
Lorelei would not shop without Jakob
she could not bear to meet strangers alone,
she fought temptation to covet children
and held back tears with her mom on the phone.
"Blessed wife, take strength in the Lord's vast grace,
and please find comfort in my loving arms,
I love you no matter what happens here,
and I'll protect your heart from Satan's charms."
"Oh husband, I thank you for your support,
the love you shower on me and our babe,
I praise God daily, for you are a gift,
a fine father you'll make on that great day."
The embraced couple rained tears from their eyes,
mixed with joy, sorrow, and expectant prayers.
They prayed God would take away the child's pain
for they did not know how her comfort fared.
Days turned to weeks and the weeks into months
Lorelei felt pains and she was doctored
"It’s too premature for the baby's time,
a tear in the placenta has occurred."
He said, with a grave look, wringing his hands,
"Rethink abortion, she’s destined to die,
this is my firm medical opinion
for I fear this birth may claim your wife."
"Faithless men dictate this with their logic,
what says your heart, my dear doctor, my friend?"
He could not face such an angel in pain
he gave them some names of women in mend.
The first woman was once in a like state,
but aborted with sorrow and resolve.
"He was brain dead and bad was my health,
I have three children whose lives I revolve."
"Did you regret it?" asked Lorelei still,
"Yes, but if in vain I gave birth and died,
my husband would have a brain dead child
no wife to raise him, no heart for a bride."
The next woman could not bear to abort.
Her child lived for nearly two long years
before the poor parents were left to grieve,
"But truth be told, my health was not a fear."
Conflicted, she thought “what would Jesus do?”
She wept and considered his sacrifice,
"Lord, give me faith to do as you command,
for with holy blood you paid for our lives."
With peace she spoke to her loving husband,
"My darling, I know now what I must do.
We cannot allow doubt to hinder us."
"I agree, love, no abortion for you."
Then suddenly, an unbearable pain
seized her and brought her shaking to her knees,
"Jakob, love, the baby is arriving!"
He pulled her upright quick and grabbed the keys.
He rushed to the hospital and ran in,
she was screaming, shuddering and too pale,
"Somebody, please help us! Get the doctor,
My wife's in pain!" he explained in a wail.
The staff rushed to her side with a wheelchair,
"Breathe, Lorelei, breathe, everything's all right,"
The doctor ran to them with a clean smock,
ready to help her deliver all night.
The painful labor and horrible cries
seemed difficult at too early a stage.
Jakob prayed to God for a miracle,
for his wife was lost in a pain-filled daze.
Whimpers and blood poured quick out of her now
with no sign of a child, dead or alive.
They planned a C-Section to help them through
for at this rate neither one would survive.
The doctor came outside, shielding his voice,
"Jakob, I have terrible news," he cried,
"I can save one but the other will die.
Tonight, right now, you will have to decide."
He fell to his knees, hands raised to Heaven,
"Father, hear my plea! This I cannot do!
Do not ask me to pick my wife or child,
They are my life! Choose for me Lord, please choose."
He lay weeping and prostrate on the floor
Lifting his prayers up above when he heard
A singular voice, strong and determined,
Passionately spoke only these three words:
"Save my child! Save my child!"
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
War of the Philosophers
War of the Philosophers
My dear sire, I must confess
I find your case ridiculous
You claim there's truth that's absolute
but all these things I can refute.
For instance, take that maple tree
Its size is relative to me.
Decisions based on what I see
help make me act accordingly.
If I see no tree, very well
It does not live within my realm
with no evidence, why believe?
unless shown to the contrary
It's truth to me, can I be blamed
for ignorance's wily claims?
My truth may yet be wrong for you,
You stubbed the tree with your left shoe.
You believe from experience
A real run-in with providence.
Denied I was this lofty claim
So shall I rot in sinful shame?
Nay, that would be illogical.
How can God choose to lose my soul?
He would present Himself to me
if He wanted me to believe.
Well, what have you to say to me?
Is there an argument to see?
Sir, I have listened to your speech
I find relative thought quite bleak.
You would suggest that faith is sight
So by your claims, darkness is light
As long as you believe it so
consequences are what you know.
I cannot fathom death at all
Might I jump off Niagara Falls?
I will not taste pain, fear or death
for I don't see its existence.
But methinks we can all agree;
Death is set for every being.
Furthermore, what of the statement
"No absolutes; all truth is bent"
With your own reasoning you prove
your logic lives in absolutes.
You claim disbelief in my Lord
because He shows no neon board.
But tell me, if you have not seen
How do you know you don't believe?
After all, how can man doubt trees
if desert plain is all he sees?
Perhaps I instilled thought of God
But morality is the Law
All humans first know right from wrong
before singing subjective song
Surely the thought does not exist
Unless a force presented it.
So forgive me as I say with glee
Your relative truth is absolutely unrelative to me.
My dear sire, I must confess
I find your case ridiculous
You claim there's truth that's absolute
but all these things I can refute.
For instance, take that maple tree
Its size is relative to me.
Decisions based on what I see
help make me act accordingly.
If I see no tree, very well
It does not live within my realm
with no evidence, why believe?
unless shown to the contrary
It's truth to me, can I be blamed
for ignorance's wily claims?
My truth may yet be wrong for you,
You stubbed the tree with your left shoe.
You believe from experience
A real run-in with providence.
Denied I was this lofty claim
So shall I rot in sinful shame?
Nay, that would be illogical.
How can God choose to lose my soul?
He would present Himself to me
if He wanted me to believe.
Well, what have you to say to me?
Is there an argument to see?
Sir, I have listened to your speech
I find relative thought quite bleak.
You would suggest that faith is sight
So by your claims, darkness is light
As long as you believe it so
consequences are what you know.
I cannot fathom death at all
Might I jump off Niagara Falls?
I will not taste pain, fear or death
for I don't see its existence.
But methinks we can all agree;
Death is set for every being.
Furthermore, what of the statement
"No absolutes; all truth is bent"
With your own reasoning you prove
your logic lives in absolutes.
You claim disbelief in my Lord
because He shows no neon board.
But tell me, if you have not seen
How do you know you don't believe?
After all, how can man doubt trees
if desert plain is all he sees?
Perhaps I instilled thought of God
But morality is the Law
All humans first know right from wrong
before singing subjective song
Surely the thought does not exist
Unless a force presented it.
So forgive me as I say with glee
Your relative truth is absolutely unrelative to me.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Seduction of the church
Seduction of the church
People of the church give cheer
For Christ's redeeming grace is near
Lift your hands and say the words
Your soul will soar among the birds
No matter how bad the deed
Christ's blood will cover all your needs
If you ever sin again
No fear -- just read Romans Seven
Just make sure to ignore Six
No need to think Paul contradicts.
By the way, don't read First John
He didn't mean "your sin is gone"
He knows you are far too weak;
There's no such thing as "gone" in Greek.
God just says we can be free
He really can't change you and me
I mean, it's absurd to think
Our God can cleanse us in a wink
Sinful beings cannot be fixed
The blood of Jesus does the trick
What do you mean "holy stuff"?
How dare you say God's not enough!
Our sinfulness proves our cause
Christians, holy?! We break no law
well, I mean -- we're sinners too,
but Christ says we're as good as new!
God can't expect holiness
we're ill-equipped for sin's mischief
The whole point of Calvary
was to forgive eternally.
Hmph, you think Christians obey
and carry through with all they say?
How naive! Are you judging me?
Just read God's Word and you will see:
Surely God would let us know
If sinlessness were possible.
People of the church give cheer
For Christ's redeeming grace is near
Lift your hands and say the words
Your soul will soar among the birds
No matter how bad the deed
Christ's blood will cover all your needs
If you ever sin again
No fear -- just read Romans Seven
Just make sure to ignore Six
No need to think Paul contradicts.
By the way, don't read First John
He didn't mean "your sin is gone"
He knows you are far too weak;
There's no such thing as "gone" in Greek.
God just says we can be free
He really can't change you and me
I mean, it's absurd to think
Our God can cleanse us in a wink
Sinful beings cannot be fixed
The blood of Jesus does the trick
What do you mean "holy stuff"?
How dare you say God's not enough!
Our sinfulness proves our cause
Christians, holy?! We break no law
well, I mean -- we're sinners too,
but Christ says we're as good as new!
God can't expect holiness
we're ill-equipped for sin's mischief
The whole point of Calvary
was to forgive eternally.
Hmph, you think Christians obey
and carry through with all they say?
How naive! Are you judging me?
Just read God's Word and you will see:
Surely God would let us know
If sinlessness were possible.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Respectables vs. The Revolutionaries: Tools of the Evil One
A peer of mine asked me recently if I had any thoughts about why society is so messed up. I have a lot to say about how society is messed up, but admittedly, I have never discussed in satisfactory detail why it has become this way. Both of us acknowledged that the easy and true answer is "Satan", but we want to delve deeper into the methods and tools used by Satan to motivate people to continue living in such a fallen world. This way we will be more informed and successfully counteract Satan’s attacks. I will attempt to answer this very difficult question as the Lord inspires me. Hopefully I can skim the surface -- this may yet become my lifelong search and question that I attempt to answer.
Society is influenced by the leaders or the more respected people.
During a given period in history there has always been one group in each culture esteemed as "The Respectables". I will define this word as I perceive it: a person or persons whose thinking holds sway over the masses. Their ideologies are cast, sometimes forcibly, among the people and become the new "norm". Here is my definition of "norm": the predominant belief system of the majority of the people regarding politics, morality, equality, and society; anyone straying from this (the "revolutionaries") is seen as dangerous, uncultured, and wrong. "Revolutionaries" are thus: a minority group who disagree with or distrust the Respectables and seek to turn the norm in their favor.
Once the Revolutionaries gain ground on the Respectables, the norm starts to change into the belief system of the revolutionaries. We see this over and over again in history. The Nazis were considered the Respectables in their country until they were overthrown by the change-seeking Revolutionaries. The church in the Middle Ages discouraged any sort of intellectualism until they were overthrown by the Enlightenment, who were in turn overthrown by another movement who reacted against the beliefs of the Enlightenment. Slavery was considered acceptable until a group of people took a stand against it.
I believe you understand my gist without me citing valid historical documents. Forgive me if my statements above are incorrect (better yet -- correct me!), but those are common and brief history lessons easily found in any textbook. One day I would like to research these in more depth, but I will ask you to call upon your history lessons of old in order to keep this blog short.
In any case, there is a pull for power from either end of the political, social, and moral spectrum. Imagine Power itself as a game of Tug-of-War; one side will be winning, the other side will fight back until they are both on equal ground, and then the other side will inevitably win. But the power struggle continues, as the winner's prize is to fight the next contestant who comes along. Power is not like Gumby, who can be stretched equally in any direction. Look at how at the Scriptures point to a tug-of-war for balance.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
1There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--
2A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
5A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
8A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.
The leaders are often influenced by Satan and sin.
What motivates these fighting groups to start the war for Power? Most of the time it is for such sins as Pride (more fame), Greed (more spoil), or Envy (more land), but occasionally there are those valiant Freedom Fighters who yearn to release the oppressed from their chains of bondage. Perspective has a lot to do with this as well; the Nazis argued that they were oppressed by the Jews, so they decided to rid themselves of a problem. For the sake of argument, let us all agree that when I say "valiant", I mean it in the Godly way -- so no, my perspective would never suggest that the Nazis are heroes. Quite the opposite, actually. As we are all aware, those with valiant hearts who set the enslaved free will taste brief victory -- sometimes for their lifetime or for a few generations -- but inevitably, those who come after them will become the Slave Drivers instead of the Freedom Fighters. The cycle continues. Our world will never see peace.
Here is an example of a successful man of God who was succeeded by his evil son, who was in turn succeeded by an evil son -- both of whom seduced God's chosen people to sin.
[Hezekiah] did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. And the LORD was with him; wherever he went he prospered. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. 2 Kings 18:3-5, 7
[Manaasseh] did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD dispossessed before the sons of Israel. For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 2 Kings 21:2-3
Is humanity lost to its sin? Will the winnings of the valiant and brave be forever corrupted by the villainy of men until Christ comes again?
We know Satan holds sway over this world -- for now.
Ephesians 2:1-2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
Revelation 2:12-13 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Revelation 20:2-3 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
We know that humans seem to be doomed to repeat history (because they never learn from their sin, not because God wants it this way!)
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
9That which has been is that which will be,
And that which has been done is that which will be done.
So there is nothing new under the sun.
10Is there anything of which one might say,
"See this, it is new"?
Already it has existed for ages
Which were before us.
11There is no remembrance of earlier things;
And also of the later things which will occur,
There will be for them no remembrance
Among those who will come later still.
Judges 3:7-9, 12-13, 15 and 4:1 8Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, so that He sold them into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the sons of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. 9When the sons of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel to deliver them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. 12Now the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD So the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. 13And he gathered to himself the sons of Ammon and Amalek; and he went and defeated Israel, and they possessed the city of the palm trees. 15But when the sons of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for them, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. And the sons of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab. 1Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, after Ehud died. (this just keeps going. . . )
The sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
So if sin, or disobedience to God, is the reason why humans will never have world peace, why won't they just wise up and stop sinning?! Well, you'd think that the knowledge of a loving Savior who forgives and cleanses us from sin would be enough. You'd think the Good News would actually sound good to people instead of sounding like an unfashionable trap. But then again, people often underestimate the seducing power of the Respectables and their Norm.
My next blog will discuss the root of the problem, sin, and how Satan uses his tools to make sin seem more important than obeying God.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Effects of the Media: Part 4 -- The Great Escape
After witnessing so much evil promoted via the media, I have to wonder why it is so alluring to people. Why do people abandon the path of the Lord and willingly follow a cheap imitation of life? I believe most of it has to do with wanting to escape the pressures of life itself, especially a life of righteousness. Since the rise of the hand-held media, humans have been escaping the need to self-reflect and sit quietly for a while. I rarely witness a person sitting quietly without earplugs or an iPod or a video game. The thought of sitting still and not doing anything but thinking or praying is terrifying to a great number of people. Why is this? Well, why should they when they can be amused and avoiding the nagging suspicion that something is missing in their life? They can attempt the fill the gaping hole in their heart with what the media claims will "complete" them, like sex or materialism.
These are the results of a culture saturated by godless media, who eagerly promote sin and a "freeing" escape from righteousness:
Where does it lead these people? To a life of bondage, sin, and oppression and eventually -- Hell, the final and ultimate separation from God. This seems really dramatic, but it is the sad truth of our culture. We must be passionate about setting people free just as Jesus was.
Luke 4:17-21 "And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
18"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
20And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Discussing the effects of the media has been a horrifying and eye-opening experience. Not wanting to sound redundant, I will shy away from replacing "Lust" with every other sin the media shamelessly promotes and leave you with the gist of my findings: Proverbs 5:1-9 (imagine the 'adulteress' as the media -- who abandon the ideals of God and all the good they could do and leap willingly into bed with Satan)
"1My son, give attention to my wisdom,
Incline your ear to my understanding;
2That you may observe discretion
And your lips may reserve knowledge.
3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey
And smoother than oil is her speech;
4But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5Her feet go down to death,
Her steps take hold of Sheol.
6She does not ponder the path of life;
Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.
7Now then, my sons, listen to me
And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8Keep your way far from her
And do not go near the door of her house,
9Or you will give your vigor to others
And your years to the cruel one;"
Hopefully if you've read my previous blogs on the Effects of the Media you will see how the media twists the Truth to ensnare souls. I do not suggest that as Christians, we should permanently avoid the media; however, take great discretion and care when allowing doses of potential poison to enter your mind. The eye does not readily forget what it has seen and the lasting impressions of an alluring sinful life may tempt a soul to the point of sin.
May it never be! May we never encourage this evil to continue.
If you currently find yourself ensnared by the media -- whether with an un-Biblical mindset, relationship, or means of entertainment -- and want to escape it, there is a way out. While the media offers a cheap imitation of life as an escape, Jesus Christ is the Great Escape from all evil and unrighteousness. Call upon Him in all humility and grace to rid your life of sin. There is no sin too big to be forgiven, and there is no sin too great to escape immediately. Even if you have been addicted to porn for years, you can be set free by committing your whole heart and mind to the path of the Lord. Take heart in knowing that "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 Confess your sin to God and tell of your struggles to a trusted Christian. You are never alone; Jesus was given to set us free. John 8:36: "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."
Amen.
These are the results of a culture saturated by godless media, who eagerly promote sin and a "freeing" escape from righteousness:
- Instead of focusing on God, people focus on how to get away with breaking rules.
- Instead of focusing on what makes a Godly relationship, people focus on how to improve the pleasure for self.
- Instead of self-reflecting, people distract themselves with media and consumerism.
- Instead of living life, people live it vicariously through a godless character.
Where does it lead these people? To a life of bondage, sin, and oppression and eventually -- Hell, the final and ultimate separation from God. This seems really dramatic, but it is the sad truth of our culture. We must be passionate about setting people free just as Jesus was.
Luke 4:17-21 "And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
18"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
20And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Discussing the effects of the media has been a horrifying and eye-opening experience. Not wanting to sound redundant, I will shy away from replacing "Lust" with every other sin the media shamelessly promotes and leave you with the gist of my findings: Proverbs 5:1-9 (imagine the 'adulteress' as the media -- who abandon the ideals of God and all the good they could do and leap willingly into bed with Satan)
"1My son, give attention to my wisdom,
Incline your ear to my understanding;
2That you may observe discretion
And your lips may reserve knowledge.
3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey
And smoother than oil is her speech;
4But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5Her feet go down to death,
Her steps take hold of Sheol.
6She does not ponder the path of life;
Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.
7Now then, my sons, listen to me
And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8Keep your way far from her
And do not go near the door of her house,
9Or you will give your vigor to others
And your years to the cruel one;"
Hopefully if you've read my previous blogs on the Effects of the Media you will see how the media twists the Truth to ensnare souls. I do not suggest that as Christians, we should permanently avoid the media; however, take great discretion and care when allowing doses of potential poison to enter your mind. The eye does not readily forget what it has seen and the lasting impressions of an alluring sinful life may tempt a soul to the point of sin.
May it never be! May we never encourage this evil to continue.
If you currently find yourself ensnared by the media -- whether with an un-Biblical mindset, relationship, or means of entertainment -- and want to escape it, there is a way out. While the media offers a cheap imitation of life as an escape, Jesus Christ is the Great Escape from all evil and unrighteousness. Call upon Him in all humility and grace to rid your life of sin. There is no sin too big to be forgiven, and there is no sin too great to escape immediately. Even if you have been addicted to porn for years, you can be set free by committing your whole heart and mind to the path of the Lord. Take heart in knowing that "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 Confess your sin to God and tell of your struggles to a trusted Christian. You are never alone; Jesus was given to set us free. John 8:36: "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."
Amen.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Effects of the Media: Part 3 -- "Femininity" and (de)Masculinity
Similar to the topic of love, the roles of men and women in today's society is worthy of a string of blogs. I will concentrate on the direct effect of the media on the portrayal of roles and shy away from the controversial topics of equality and leadership. I think we will all agree that America changed its views on the roles of men and women in society quite often in the past century. While some changes brought liberation to the enslaved, more recent and disturbing changes are bringing the "land of the free" into a lifestyle of sin and extreme unhappiness.
Media portrayal as it relates to intimate relationships
Women are only considered mature when they are sexual objects, to be conquered and appraised. Women should appreciate the attention, as it gives them a better selection of mates. Do you ever notice that female child stars will not be given older roles in movies unless they "put out" first? Female singers dress like strippers and the ultimate beauty contest has women walking around in bikinis onstage. The mark of a woman's worth is her transparent sexuality.
Young men are typically portrayed as glamorous womanizers, marking their masculinity by "conquering" the most females. Middle-aged men are shown as disgruntled and sexually dissatisfied husbands who seek elsewhere to fulfill their needs; the majority of movies and TV shows I have seen portray this in a negative light, but this behavior has become more socially acceptable in recent years on TV and real life.
Consequences: I already discussed some consequences of a sex-drenched media in my earlier blog, "Effects of the Media: Part 2 -- Warped Love and Sexuality". Among the divorce rates and rampant rise in sexually transmitted diseases, there is an insatiable thirst for sex. Sex was never meant to be the thing to base a relationship on or to find fulfillment in; however, our society has made everything sexual in a vain attempt to find lasting satisfaction. Sex is glamorized in the media and gives people a false sense of its true purpose and function, ultimately disappointing the millions who believed it to be a necessary and lasting proponent of a relationship. "15To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." Titus 1:15-16
Media portrayal as it relates to work and the home
Women must react against the chauvinist pigs and propel their worthiness by refusing to be "just a mother". Women must hold down a demanding job while nearly single-handedly rearing their children into responsible adults. They typically feel resentment toward their husband, who is either too focused on his career or not enough. This leaves the wives feeling unappreciated and overwhelmed with juggling duties. The wife finds solace in asserting her intelligence; after all, what are husbands good for if she does it all?
Men are inept at raising children and allow the children to do precisely what the mother said not to do, as long as they keep it a secret. The men feel trapped in a career they no longer love and must remain in it to support the growing family and the demands of a materialistic life; conversely, they love their career too much and neglect their family emotionally while providing for them physically. Most of the time the men feel like they deserve something for their sacrifices. When the wife does not provide this "something", whether it be sex or respect, they seek elsewhere to find it.
Consequences: Marriages are more of a business transaction than a relationship. The husband and wife resent each other and feel trapped in a loveless, draining marriage based entirely on rearing children. There is no unity among husband and wife, no lasting affection, and no respect. 22"Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity." Acts 8:22-23
The new "norm" of society due to the media portrayals: Do it all, be it all
Men are expected to sow their wild oats, lead a monogamous life, and inevitably stray. They are expected to be dangerous, exciting, able to make decisions but defer to the woman (lest they be called a chauvinist). The men must also tap into their feminine side by improving their communication skills; however, if they do this they must be gay. Men must be perfect gentlemen and open doors for women, but if they do they must believe women are weaker!
Women are expected to be as sexually appealing as they can be to attract the straying men, ensnare them with their womanly wiles, have children to trap the men into a monogamous lifestyle, raise successful children while holding down a demanding career.
The men in our world are being thrown contradicting half-lies. They are always receiving criticism and never respect or encouragement. Instead of being encouraged to lead, they must be submissive so that the equality of their relationship with their wife is never questioned by outsiders. But if they don't make decisions they are considered weak. The men cannot win! Why should they even bother trying? The women in our world have always suffered from low self-esteem and crippling doubt. The one thing women have that men do not is their alluring sexuality. Women know they can typically succeed in manipulating men with their sexual advances. "And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her." Ecclesiastes 7:26 While they have been treated unfairly in the past, women now equate anything that men typically do that women are not encouraged to do with inequality and chauvinism. This can range from legitimate concerns about prejudice in the workforce to paranoid complaints about men automatically paying for dinner. In their search for equality and freedom, women found slavery to the belief that they can be just like men -- only better.
8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:8-12
"18For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. 20For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them." 2 Peter 2:18-21 (bold mine)
" 9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?" Galatians 4:9
Media portrayal as it relates to intimate relationships
Women are only considered mature when they are sexual objects, to be conquered and appraised. Women should appreciate the attention, as it gives them a better selection of mates. Do you ever notice that female child stars will not be given older roles in movies unless they "put out" first? Female singers dress like strippers and the ultimate beauty contest has women walking around in bikinis onstage. The mark of a woman's worth is her transparent sexuality.
Young men are typically portrayed as glamorous womanizers, marking their masculinity by "conquering" the most females. Middle-aged men are shown as disgruntled and sexually dissatisfied husbands who seek elsewhere to fulfill their needs; the majority of movies and TV shows I have seen portray this in a negative light, but this behavior has become more socially acceptable in recent years on TV and real life.
Consequences: I already discussed some consequences of a sex-drenched media in my earlier blog, "Effects of the Media: Part 2 -- Warped Love and Sexuality". Among the divorce rates and rampant rise in sexually transmitted diseases, there is an insatiable thirst for sex. Sex was never meant to be the thing to base a relationship on or to find fulfillment in; however, our society has made everything sexual in a vain attempt to find lasting satisfaction. Sex is glamorized in the media and gives people a false sense of its true purpose and function, ultimately disappointing the millions who believed it to be a necessary and lasting proponent of a relationship. "15To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." Titus 1:15-16
Media portrayal as it relates to work and the home
Women must react against the chauvinist pigs and propel their worthiness by refusing to be "just a mother". Women must hold down a demanding job while nearly single-handedly rearing their children into responsible adults. They typically feel resentment toward their husband, who is either too focused on his career or not enough. This leaves the wives feeling unappreciated and overwhelmed with juggling duties. The wife finds solace in asserting her intelligence; after all, what are husbands good for if she does it all?
Men are inept at raising children and allow the children to do precisely what the mother said not to do, as long as they keep it a secret. The men feel trapped in a career they no longer love and must remain in it to support the growing family and the demands of a materialistic life; conversely, they love their career too much and neglect their family emotionally while providing for them physically. Most of the time the men feel like they deserve something for their sacrifices. When the wife does not provide this "something", whether it be sex or respect, they seek elsewhere to find it.
Consequences: Marriages are more of a business transaction than a relationship. The husband and wife resent each other and feel trapped in a loveless, draining marriage based entirely on rearing children. There is no unity among husband and wife, no lasting affection, and no respect. 22"Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity." Acts 8:22-23
The new "norm" of society due to the media portrayals: Do it all, be it all
Men are expected to sow their wild oats, lead a monogamous life, and inevitably stray. They are expected to be dangerous, exciting, able to make decisions but defer to the woman (lest they be called a chauvinist). The men must also tap into their feminine side by improving their communication skills; however, if they do this they must be gay. Men must be perfect gentlemen and open doors for women, but if they do they must believe women are weaker!
Women are expected to be as sexually appealing as they can be to attract the straying men, ensnare them with their womanly wiles, have children to trap the men into a monogamous lifestyle, raise successful children while holding down a demanding career.
The men in our world are being thrown contradicting half-lies. They are always receiving criticism and never respect or encouragement. Instead of being encouraged to lead, they must be submissive so that the equality of their relationship with their wife is never questioned by outsiders. But if they don't make decisions they are considered weak. The men cannot win! Why should they even bother trying? The women in our world have always suffered from low self-esteem and crippling doubt. The one thing women have that men do not is their alluring sexuality. Women know they can typically succeed in manipulating men with their sexual advances. "And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her." Ecclesiastes 7:26 While they have been treated unfairly in the past, women now equate anything that men typically do that women are not encouraged to do with inequality and chauvinism. This can range from legitimate concerns about prejudice in the workforce to paranoid complaints about men automatically paying for dinner. In their search for equality and freedom, women found slavery to the belief that they can be just like men -- only better.
"It is a naive sort of feminism that insists that women prove their ability to do all the things that men do. This is a distortion and a travesty. Men have never sought to prove that they can do all the things women do. Why subject women to purely masculine criteria? Woman can and ought to be judged by the criteria of femininity, for it is in their femininity that they participate in the human race. And femininity has its limitations. So has masculinity." Elisabeth Elliot, Let me be a Woman
What if?
But what if the majority of America did not look like this? What if Christians took a noble stand and defied the media and public expectations? It would look a lot like this:
"2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. 3Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. 6Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;7in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us." Titus 2: 2-8
"The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." 2 Timothy 2: 24-26
"9How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word." Psalm 119:9
Why is this not so easy?
8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:8-12
"18For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. 20For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them." 2 Peter 2:18-21 (bold mine)
" 9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?" Galatians 4:9
We must speak out against the media when it spouts lies. If a TV show says that women are entitled to view men as sexual objects because men do it to women, I encourage you to speak out against it at the appropriate time. Even just a "well that's horrible" will stick in a person's mind and make them wonder why you disliked that statement. They might think you take things too seriously or they might get into a conversation because of it. More than just speaking out against it, we must model the Biblical approach to our relationships, work and home lives. We cannot defeat evil by encouraging evil; we must fight it with Truth.
May God grant you the strength you need to appropriately fight media's lies.
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