Proverbs 1:12 Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.
Luke 9:49 “Master,” said John, “We saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” 50 And Jesus said to him, “Forbid him not: for he that is not against us, is for us.”
The lines that divide us today are getting darker and deeper to the point of creating great canyons between us and them. The stark differences between the haves and the have-nots or the unhealthy rhetoric between left and right political parties, angry men’s and women’s inequalities issues, plus the faith and race arguments of people’s beliefs are all entrenched in a stubborn unwillingness to bend in any direction. Even for the sake of being helpful to anyone, these divides have become a gridlock of emotional frustration.
The radical lines being drawn are separating families, friends, and neighbours to the point that honest communication is not getting through on any side. The upshot becomes an inevitable lose-lose situation. As soon as someone has a slightly different opinion on a social subject – an automatic shutdown comes into play and passive-aggressive arms are folded across everyone’s chest and no solution is found.
I grew up in the white north of Canada. I am not talking about the color of snow but of race and idealism that surrounded me. I was fortunate to be able to speak French and English. The language prejudices did not affect me personally because I hung out with both sides of the ethnic population. A large diversity and ethnicity of people of all kinds graced the town I grew up in. The us and them arguments came up often, but at the end of the day we got things done and our differences were resolved in peace.
I had friends with French last names who spoke no French at all, and the Polish families whom I knew spoke French very well but spoke English with strong and difficult to understand accents. Somehow we made it through those years with agreeable and amiable respect for each other. Were there times when things did not work out? Of course there were those times, but life did not come down to a life or death decision based on who you voted for in an election as is happening today. Declarations of death or complete rejection of people for believing a different idea was not the country’s default setting. Prov. 1:12 Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.
Why is absolute rage and anger being displayed when a difference of ideas are put forth? What is causing the polarization of beliefs that choke our ability to speak with an unbiased viewpoint? I believe we are dealing with a Princely Power, a Leviathan, or a lying spirit that has moved into provoking society into mayhem on a worldwide scale. This spirit can only be taken down through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Why is absolute rage and anger being displayed when a difference of ideas are put forth? What is causing the polarization of beliefs that choke our ability to speak with an unbiased viewpoint? I believe we are dealing with a Princely Power, a Leviathan, or a lying spirit that has moved into provoking society into mayhem on a worldwide scale. This spirit can only be taken down through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
God has given His people who are in Christ the power to help those who do not know the Lord. Our heavenly Father has given His sons and daughters who love the Lord the ability to overcome the provocateur of unreasonable hatred in this world. Luke 10:19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.
God asks His people to pray for leadership and authorities in the world regardless of their political stripes. The Lord does not say to pray for them if they are saved or are aligned with our political choice. If anything, many of these leaders do not know God and they need more prayer than most because they have the responsibilities of leadership. 1 Tim. 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men; 2 for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. You will notice that the outcome of this prayer is a peacefulness for the ones who are praying. It does not necessarily mean there will be peace on earth, but those who are praying for leadership will live in the protected peace of God.
We need to focus on who the real enemy is. It is not us and them. It is the enemy of our soul who puts us and them against one another. Let everyone who knows the Lord be first to extend an olive branch of peace to all man while praying and tearing down the strongholds over our land. In Jesus name. Rom.12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
May the favor of God be on your daughter to accomplish all that God wants for her, and may she be the hand extended that brings life and peace to the students who are truly looking for their place in God's eternal plan. In Jesus name!
Amen. As I was reading, I was applying the conversation I had with my daughter, the college student. She is a Christian, surrounded by unbelievers, some she has befriended. Though they have diverse backgrounds and obvious differences in beliefs, she knows that loving them is the way to win them for Christ. It's that simple, really. If only the whole world knew this. We could really conquer evil together.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Such a good and timely word sir norm! Amen.
Romay
Good word, Norm. Good word. Love you much.
Wow, Norm! What a wise word for this world. There is no us and them, you are right! We are all humans with souls, that are in the same boat on this earth. Some souls have been saved by God and some souls are still lost. With Christ, in us, without fear, we need to boldly extend this loving hand to every human being we meet. The enemy has been conquered and we should be aware of this victory every moment of our life. It's not them, it's him who is subjecting them to his lies and deceptions. With prayer, in Christ, let"s forget differences, diversity and let's remember that each human being is God's creation. Let's pray to conquer the enemy of humanity in every human being, no matter of who they are, what position they hold, what values they cling to. Our role is to pray and let the Holy Spirit do His work!