Okay, I’m going to say it. I’ve been thinking this for a LONG time but have restrained myself from putting it out there. I’ve talked around it but I’m in a mood this morning and think it needs to be addressed. So, here it is:

All the evil you are seeing in America right now is what happens to people when God is not a part of their lives.

Yes, the systematic dismantling of America as a God-fearing nation has created what we have today. Take God out of the homes, schools, entertainment industry, and even the church and you just reap what you sow. Nobody really should be surprised by what is happening, even though it is heartbreaking to watch.

If you read the Bible, you know that it is a very black and white book. There is good and there is evil. And it’s very descriptive of the difference between those who follow Jesus and those who do not. Let’s look at Galatians 5:19-26. Everyone will be familiar with the “fruit of the spirit” part but it’s the verses before that which show what non-believers will be like versus disciples of Christ. I’m going to use the King James Version because I like the translation of terms better.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

When we look at verses 19-21 you see several things that explain clearly the evil happening today, especially the racial tensions and violence.

Uncleanliness – Also called debauchery means moral impurity. Thus, instead of being a moral person upholding even the basics of God’s law (love one another), one who is engaged in debauchery is amoral and rebels against God’s law and thus hates one another, committing immoral acts.

Idolatry – When we think of idolatry, we think of image worship. However, I believe in our day and age idolatry includes anything you value more than Jesus. Remember that Jesus said that if you love your mom or dad more than Him you have no part of Him. His point was nothing is more important than he is. Non-believers idolize money, fame, violence, sex, race, gender, politics, and most of all themselves. And by placing their value on these things they act out in ways that feed their idolatry. They don’t know Jesus or have rejected Him so they basically run amok.

Hatred and Variance – I like how the Strong’s Talking Dictionary describes hate as being in opposition to another. Today everyone is offended – they find opposition to people in everything! But as Christ followers we are taught to turn the other cheek and not take offense! We pray for those who persecute us and love our enemies. No so with unbelievers. They hate people – they find anyway they can to exploit differences – race, sexual orientation, gender, class, political party, generations, religion, and more. If you don’t agree with these non-believers, you’re the “other” and someone to label and even cancel! What they do is simply tear apart the fiber of America by sowing discord which Strong’s defines as strife – they cause strife on purpose!  

Wrath – NIV translates it as Fits of Rage. This is not Holy Discontent because someone trampled God’s commands, but it is someone who is wrathful and indignant based on his/her own views of right and wrong. What comes out of fits of rage? Violence of thought, violence of speech, and violence of action. I think you can extrapolate this on your own when it comes to the issue of Black Lives Matter, police brutality, Antifa, Q Anon, and all the rest going on out there today.

Seditions – Great word that means disunity. Like hatred where you are finding someone in opposition to you, sedition would mean purposing not to be unified! We see that everywhere in our country today and those of us who are unified under Christ are attacked for that very unity!

Heresies – Interesting translation – the Greek word means “itself” which is why the NIV calls it Selfish-Ambition. The idea here is you are you own God. You make up the rules, you decide what is right and wrong in a moral relativism kind of way. Your truth is as valid as anyone’s truth. Godless people always turn to themselves as God and then anything goes because, well, they’re their own God!

Envyings – A good definition is jealous spite. You see this in the ungodly everywhere and it plays itself out two ways:

  • Nobody should have what another does not.
  • Everyone should have what another does.

Revelling – Defined as rioting. Okay, I don’t think I really need to even talk about this one. I’m talking to you Portland, Minneapolis, Detroit, Seattle, and the rest of you!

Yes, we all are sinners. But there is a difference between believers and non-believers. We believers sin but we HATE our sin, fight against our sin, seek forgiveness for our sins, beg God to transform our lives so that we don’t sin, and submit to God’s grace and mercy in our sin knowing how badly we need our Savior Jesus.

Non-believers? They don’t see their sin as sin. Because they are their own gods, they have decided for themselves what is sin and what is not. They reject God’s definition of sin because it doesn’t fit their lifestyles. Certainly, they have been blinded by Satan but as Paul tells us men are without excuse because the evidence of God abounds.

Can you really be surprised by what you’re seeing in our society today? Godless people preying on each other with Christians (those truly in the faith not those who are Christian in name only) getting caught in the crossfire.

The only cure here is Jesus. But as scripture clearly tells us, it’s going to get worse not better. People are going to turn away from sound doctrine and find people to tell them what their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). They will even go so far as kill believers thinking they are doing a service for God! (John 16:2).

So, what should our response be? Obviously, we must continue to shine Jesus’ light by loving the unlovable even as it grows darker and darker in our world. But there is more. Here are my thoughts:

  • Be part of the remnant that stays true to the faith no matter the cost even while others depart from the truth.
  • Keep God in your home – train up those around you in the Lord; disciple family, friends, neighbors, and anyone else God puts in front of you.
  • Don’t take Satan’s bait by responding to the events of a fallen world by its standards. Instead respond to the world as Jesus would.
  • Pray that the Holy Spirit convicts unbelievers hearts with the truth of their sin and need of a savior.
  • Don’t be surprised at the state of the world when people eliminate God from that world. Remember, God will not be mocked – people will reap what they sow.

Lastly, keep your eyes on heavenly things – you are a citizen of Heaven so store up your treasures there by doing as Jesus has taught us no matter the consequences.