Pro 3:21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
Pro 3:22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
Within this current world of chaos, there is much confusion going on in the minds of individuals, groups, media, Hollywood, public schools, colleges, universities; and especially within government.
Some of the confusion is deliberate. See my former post. But then, there are people who are totally ignorant of what is going on behind the scenes. There are those who approve of the evil and chaos, simply because they crave money, power, influence, prestige, re-election; and in some cases, they blatantly and obviously enjoy causing harm to the masses. But those who can't see or hear the evil (or cover their eyes and ears purposely so they don't have to deal with it) keep living their lives unredeemed as the cesspool swirls all around them - which is all to their detriment in the end.
There was a popular song back in the 70's (I think) where the lyrics described life as a "ball of confusion." When I looked back at the lyrics, I was surprised to see that the Temptations were against gun control!
Many of the lyrics can be applied more today than even back in the 70's!
And it seems,
Nobody is interested in learnin'
But the teacher
Segregation, determination, demonstration,
Integration, aggravation,
Humiliation, obligation to our nation
Ball of Confusion
That's what the world is today
The sale of pills are at an all time high
Young folks walk around with
Their heads in the sky
Cities aflame in the summer time
And, the beat goes on
Air pollution, revolution, gun control,
Sound of soul
Shootin' rockets to the moon
Kids growin' up too soon
Politicians say more taxes will
Solve everything
And the band played on
So round 'n' round 'n' round we go
Where the world's headed, nobody knows
Just a Ball of Confusion
Oh yea, that's what the wold is today
Fear in the air, tension everywhere
Unemployment rising fast,
[...]
It is interesting to note that the Temptations knew where true love is shared. They don't necessarily mention the Bible, but they did write:
Vote for me, and I'll set you free
Rap on brother, rap on
Well, the only person talkin'
'Bout love thy brother is the preacher
In Dr. David Jeremiah's book called Moments With God On Route 66, he discusses avoiding roadblocks in life and knowing the way - the true way according to God's Word.
Confusion
Modern life can be confusing. There are many things that used to be called "evil" that are now called "good." And many things that used to be called "good" are now called "evil"---or at the very least, they are called "narrow-minded," "intolerant," "prejudiced," or "old fashioned."
But such confusion is not new. God once warned the Israelites, through the prophet Isaiah, about the same thing. "Woe to those, " God said, "who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter" (Isaiah 5:20). Ancient words that we should heed today.
Pray for discernment on the road to new life.
Discover God's enlightenment... on Route 66.
Posts
9 comments:
Life—not just modern life—can be confusing, hostess.
The ancient Israelites often turned from Yahweh to local gods, probably because Yahweh so often didn't answer when they called on him, or because the other god seemed flashier and more powerful. Yahweh claimed to love his people, yet he often treated them like trash. I think that would be a source of confusion.
Those things that used to be called “evil” and are now called “good”--can you name some? Those things that used to be called “good” and are now called “evil”--can you name some? I know you have certain thngs in mind, but you won't say them. If Isaiah is right, every generation before us did this too; we are not unique.
Personally, I like eating crab; I think anesthetics to aid childbirth is a good idea (contrary to Gen 3:16); and I think slavery was abominable.
As always, you cherry-pick your arguments. Another line from “Ball of Confusion” went:
People all over the world are shoutin' “end the war”
And the band played on
So the Temptations were against war as much as gun control. Why didn't you point that out?
My reading of the Bible shows that many times the ancient Israelites ended up having problems when they ignored or rejected God and His Laws. Many of them admitted this within the Scripture writings (like David in Psalms).
God doesn't "treat the Israelites like trash," nor does He do that today. Often, what is a type of discipline is needed to get people back on track and walking with Jesus Christ. People who are viewed as having so-called "wonderful" lives (like the rich, famous, and power grabbers who use such things for evil purposes)where they don't believe they need God are often the most miserable.
The evils that are now accepted:
hating Christ & believers
abortion
homosexuality
pornography
adultery (the "so what" attitude that everybody is doing it...[they aren't ALL doing it.)
rampant divorce (for trivial reasons or desire for someone else)
lying (to get money, power, fame or all three)
stealing (fraud to obtain government money when not needed)
government corruption ignored or swept under the table
false accusations or lying in court to save one's butt
manipulation of judges to avoid a case from going to trial (Ovomit, for example)
Shall I go on? Looks like every one of the Ten Commandments are now called "evil."
What used to be called good:
marriage is the union of one man and one woman
sanctity of life for every baby in the womb
marital commitment
honesty
integrity
respect for differences (the new "tolerance" doesn't include biblical views)
telling the truth in court
justice
fairness (not equality in all things because that's impossible and a roadmap to dependency)
good government - like what our Founders had in mind - Constitutional Republic (current evil one promotes liberalism, communism, socialism, Islamism, totalitarianism, and dictatorships disguised as "hope and change.")
The list could be endless. But hopefully, you get the picture.
As far as the line about "end the war" is concerned - go ask your buddy Obama why he ratcheted up discontent and undeclared wars in Egypt and Syria via the "Arab Spring!"
Zero is also responsible for taking a local case where the man who shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense and turning it into a nation wide witch hunt on Zimmerman while riling up race riots in dozens of cities. Despicable. And it's always "about him" rather than those who were involved in this tragic encounter. The evidence pointed to Martin attacking Zimmerman. The jury reached the verdict. End of story and case. But Obama picks and chooses which deaths he will discuss on a national platform. Notice he doesn't mention any black on white crime deaths nor the constant black on black crimes and deaths in Chicago EVERY DAY.
I see what's going on, GM, and you probably do also; even if you refuse to admit it.
According to my reading of the Bible, God's 'type of discipline' usually consists of killing people, often in large numbers, and often when they themselves had done nothing to deserve it. What sort of god kills people because their king decides to take a census?
Discipline implies correction—to 'get people back on track' as you said. Dead people are not corrected, they're merely stopped. Dead people can't learn from their errors.
Your list is large, but there's nothing on it that hasn't been claimed before. "Nothing new under the sun" and all that.
Everything on that “evils accepted” list was common in Jesus' time, and long before. Even so, Jesus said the Pharisee's pride was far worse than the publican's theft (Luk 18:9~14). Words to heed today, Madame Pharisee.
Oh, and hating Christ is not the same as hating “believers”. You hate believers if they're non-Christian, and only some of them: you hate Muslims, but not Jews. You probably don't like Mormons much, either. How about Catholics? Presbyterians?
You don't seem to think that slavery was evil, but you've hinted that before. I suspect you'd feel differently if you were on the receiving end of it.
I have business outside, so I'll be back later today to finish this.
As I have stated many times before in various ways - what you DON'T KNOW about God and the Bible - is a LOT.
Your preconceived notions about me sound more like frustration with trying to counter the truth I had previously shared.
Why do you think I would approve of slavery? There are many kinds - including an epidemic of sexual trafficking that affects all races, colors, and creeds. I saw Amistad and was appalled; just as I was appalled about that creep Castro who locked up three young women; molesting them and beating them for over 10 years.
But you have made errors regarding when servant-hood is mentioned in the Bible. As with all things, it can be used for good or for evil.
You are all over the place in your response here. Too many topics to address all at once. But claiming that I hate people is a huge assumption on your part. You know what they say about that term "assume."
It just goes to show how little you know about my heart, or the heart of any born again Christian. Heck, I don't even hate Obama! I DO hate the evil he does. Would love to see him saved by grace through Christ. But it's probably even less likely that he ever would genuinely repent and accept Christ as Lord and Savior than if you ever would turn towards Christ.
I could quote several Bible verses but why should I waste my time with you? "Shaking the dust off" my sandals like I have needed to do so many times before.
Since you've decided to not respond, then you won't mind if I finish this up on my end, right? Okay.
CJW: Shall I go on? Looks like every one of the Ten Commandments are now called "evil."
What used to be called good:
marriage is the union of one man and one woman
Unless you're King, of course: Solomon had his 300. David must have also had plenty, but he wanted Bathsheba, too...
sanctity of life for every baby in the womb
1 Sam 15 (to use just one example) puts the lie to that claim. If God's Chosen™ can commit infanticide with impunity, then anything goes.
marital commitment
As you said earlier, 'they aren't ALL doing it'. You haven't. I didn't.
If it bothers you so much, then work to make marriage harder, and divorce illegal.
honesty
integrity
Those two are part of the Big Ten? Show me!
respect for differences (the new "tolerance" doesn't include biblical views)
That's because the biblical views themselves showed no respect for differences (starting with Commandment #1). God supposedly told his Israelite armies to destroy enemy cities right down to the livestock: “...slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.” Anyone who differed from the “chosen” were to be either expelled or annihilated.
When you're told you're part of an elite, you tend to...not 'tolerate'...those who are not in that elite. This applies to pilots, polo players, preachers, plumbers and any other group.
telling the truth in court
That's a commandment? And shouldn't one tell the truth all the time, everywhere?
Boy, you're all over the place on your claims here. Too many topics to address all at once, some of which had nothing to do with God stuff at all. And with all that ranting, you still missed a few. Honoring the Sabbath, honoring one's parents, not coveting other people's things...again, they're not ALL doing it. Not all 312 million of us.
Are you one of those “love the sinner, hate the sin” types, then? You never sound like it, except at times like this. I don't claim to know the heart of any Christer, and I know yours only by what you write. Your readers can judge that if they wish. I've reached my decision.
Perhaps someone else will come along and reply to your comment.
I won't be on the blog tomorrow, but will release comments the next day.
I'd be delighted to reply to GM's comment Christine. Perhaps when I get off work and there's no telling when that would be. I do find it fascinating that he has a problem with the way God deals with his own creation. It's amusing in the way that God is in heaven and he's down here bitching about it's "not fair" that God can do pretty much what he wants. I believe there is a scripture ... something about the clay protesting why the potter make it thus ...
"The ancient Israelites often turned from Yahweh to local gods, probably because Yahweh so often didn't answer when they called on him, or because the other god seemed flashier and more powerful. Yahweh claimed to love his people, yet he often treated them like trash"
Sounds like someone responding from the Big Book O' Atheist Sound Bites and not from the Bible. God did amazing things for the Israelites and was quick to forgive them. But they rejected him again and again.
Good post, Christine. People truly do call evil good and good evil. I expect it from the world but far too many "churches" do the same. They are populated by wolves in sheep's clothing.
Hi Steve and Neil -
Sorry about the delay in releasing you comments! I will be back to blogging on Thursday.
Steve, I would LOVE to read what you have to say about the Potter and the protesting "clay" so I hope you will return to share it!
Neil, thanks so much for your input here. I think it needed to be pointed out to the "resident" skeptic here at this blog!
God bless!
Christine
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