We all know the venom of our current political reality. It’s ugly. I’m still convinced this is nothing new. Our country once fought a war against itself. We have seen political leaders assassinated for their beliefs and convictions. Of course, no other generation had the power of social media at their disposal.
Hate travels fast now.
Disdain has no limits.
Whatever courtesy or civility you would have expected in previous days seems lost. We’ve emboldened our stances to a point where we can’t stand to hear from people with different opinions. What’s worse is we can’t even stand the people with different opinions. At this point, you can’t convince me this isn’t by design.
First, let’s recall the spiritual forces we wrestle against. They are the enemy. Not Republicans or Democrats. But we also need to recall what these forces do.
They lure us away from God’s will. They convince us we need to do what’s best for us. Never mind the damage we do along the way. Let’s be clear. That is anti-Christ.
Second, we make choices. Spiritual forces may wreak our thoughts and feelings. But we decide what to do with them. The lure of financial gain is too much for many of us. Power and control are the ultimate goals. So, while I recognize the reality of our spiritual battles, we must also admit to our failings.
The first design of the spiritual forces of wickedness is to seduce us. As a result, the design of many of us is to create conflict amongst us that in turn creates profit. Let me say it in a different way: We’re being played.
This is important to me because it impacts us all. And I’ve seen it play out in churches in unChristlike ways. The stories of Christians falling in line with the ways of the world are plentiful. I have to resist the urge to justify Christians. It’s easy to say we’ve been fooled. They’re just angry and fed up with the way things are. That is an excuse. Simply said, too many Christians behave in demonic ways.
We’ve thrown out Wisdom’s call. We act and speak in haste. There’s nothing wise in our rebukes. Our arrogant boasts are pointless.
Proverbs 25:26 says, “Like a muddied spring or polluted fountain are the righteous who give way before the wicked.” The Message Bible makes it a little more clear: A good person who gives in to a bad person is a muddied spring, a polluted well.
I see the same things in life you do. But I also worship the same risen Christ. The good news is that Christ is Lord. So, we don’t have to be a part of the problem anymore. We have a higher calling. Living in obedience to the way of Christ allows us to live in reconciliation with one another. And it shows the spiritual forces of wickedness the power of God.
So, let’s stop muddying the water.
Stay blessed…john
