A BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO ANGER IN OUR CULTURE AND IN US
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SEAN FEUCHT, BETHEL MUSIC LEADER, RUNS FOR CONGRESS
PERSEVERING FAITH FOR ANOTHER YEAR
WHY PROGRESSIVES HAVE AN EDGE OVER CONSERVATIVES, AND HOW TO CHANGE IT
LIFE IN AMERICA–YOUR PRAYERS ARE NEEDED
A BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO ANGER IN OUR CULTURE AND IN US
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One may argue, “Our society is decaying. We should be mad.” Yes, but we can be angry yet still not sin (Eph. 4:26). Of course, I feel anger that the underpinnings of our culture are being dismantled by unprincipled men. Our souls should be vexed at the darkening cloud of demonic infestation in our culture, especially when children are caused to stumble or the weak are exploited. If we don’t take a stand, the advance of evil ultimately means more people will die without Christ. So, if we are angry, it does not necessarily mean we have sinned. It can simply mean we care.
I am not surprised by the increased anger. My concern is that, unless this anger regenerates into something more redemptive, more Christlike, we will not see our cities renewed. Indeed, anger that does not awaken in us redemptive action ultimately degrades into bitterness and unbelief.
A Two-Pronged Attack
While hell advances into our world on many levels, I want to discuss two primary areas. The first manifestation is brazen, widespread and alarming. For example, a corrupt law gets passed or gang violence breaks out; or it might be that a public figure is scandalized. It’s on the news and people are talking about it. The shock waves caused by this demonic intrusion smash against the sensibilities of our hearts: we’re disappointed, offended, stunned and, often, outraged. In this state of mind, hell launches the second area of attack. There is no newscast dragging our attention to this next stage of warfare. On this front, the devil does not come flaunting himself. In seething whispers he stirs the pot of our discontent until it boils. Ultimately, where once the heart of the Christian was full of faith and love, now bitterness, hatred and malice churn in the souls of God’s people. This is the second prong of the attack: the hardening of our hearts in reaction to evil.
So while we must fight the spiritual wars of our times, we must not compromise our capacity to love if we will actually win our war. We must remember we are not fighting against “flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Eph. 6:12 KJV).
Sadly, I have heard many people say recently that they’ve lost their vision for America. What they actually lost was not their vision, but their love. For love believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. Love never fails (1 Cor. 13:7-8).
The Goal of God
I believe that if the Almighty’s highest plan was to end evil on Earth, He could do so in a flash. Why does He wait? He desires to bring believers to Christlike maturity. In a moment evil would be gone, as it was with Sodom and Gomorrah. We must never forget: Jesus did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.
God is waiting for our spiritual maturity. Our Father desires to bring many sons and daughters to glory, and this world, even with all its evil, is the perfect setting for God to accomplish His eternal purpose.
Yes, we should be angry about what’s wrong, but we must be Christlike in making things right. We cannot just be political; we must be spiritual.
Rightly there are times when we must defend the helpless among us, but concerning ourselves, let us consider again what Jesus commanded: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in Heaven” (Matt. 5:43-45).
To see our nation transformed, we must be transformed. We cannot become those whose hearts are given over to anger. Otherwise, we will risk becoming Christian hypocrites: angry that the world is not Christian but untroubled that we are not Christlike.
(Used with permission from Ministries of Francis Frangipane.)
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Thank you all for your great comments, let’s spread the Word about I.F.A. to all we can, and lets get the young people saved. Start with your own kids and grand kids. Ask them if they like to go to Heaven one day, and most will say yes. Hold their had and pray “Dear Jesus come into my heart, forgive me for my mistakes, and give me your gift of everlasting life. Please fill me with our Holy Spirit so I can understand your word and tell others about You. Amen And than you can do a little victory dance. tell them all the angels in Heaven rejoyce every time a soul is saved. XXX
Hannah
Dear Lord thank You for the patience You have for us and for the measure of patience You give us. You are so kind to us Lord, please help us to be kind and patient with others. When we become angry and disappointed let us talk to You about it and not become bitter. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thank you for the great article and comments. It’s not the flesh and blood we are fighting. It’s not the person on the TV news screen lying, it’s not the abortionist inflicting brutality and fierceness on the pain capable baby in the womb or the newborn not yet killed but about to be, it’s not the pedophile doing unfathomable things to little children, it’s not the terrorist inflicting brutality and torture on Jews and Christians, it’s not about the liars in history texts and classrooms, it’s not the liars denying biologic gender and the ramifications, it’s not the pornographers ensnaring many in ubiquitous use and distribution of their poisonous literature, it’s not about the anti-family and anti-fatherhood rhetoric of so many, and others carrying out the work of the enemy.
As the author and commenters so aptly describe our opponent in all these matters is described in Ephesians 5:12 (KJV), “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.”
It’s good to read about the armor we don in Ephesians 5:13-20. Once we are in proper uniform and skilled in its use in battle, the 18th verse in that passage takes us to our “prayer closet” so to speak which of course could be wherever we are praying, from an actual closet to speaking before a political decision-making body about the fallacies and treachery underpinning abortion. Our prayer closet is really wherever we are and without ceasing because we are always in His presence and His presence is always with us.
It’s good too to read Philippians 4:4-7 to see the command to always “Rejoice” and in everything to pray with specific petitions with thanksgiving.
In our warfare it helps to remember we are to be angry as we are exhorted to do in Ephesians 4:26-28 (KJV), “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” Anger helps us to be more violent in our prayers which are directed toward these enemies and what they are doing while maintaining and living out the virtues of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. This gives us winsomeness and power. It keeps us on track to live out our commission, the same commission Jesus gave to Paul on the Road to Damascus which is our’s too. Every believer is an ambassador whose citizenship is in another country so to speak. We want to enlist and commission others as God allows us to be soul winners for him. Our battle is to win the lost. That can include winning the issue or argument at hand in the process but doing that only and not winning the soul is less than our commission. Paul’s commission, and our’s, is stated by Jesus in Acts 26:12-18. The heart of the commission so to speak is verse 18 (KJV),”To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
It is good also to remember some things about our Commander, the mighty Warrior who triumphed openly over all these opponents of ours on the cross, the Creator who also holds all things together. He is the one who destroys their works, who is greater than them all, who is the Creator of them all before they fell, and the One before whom they tremble, whom they know by his Command controls their destiny, but against whom they rebel while they do all they can to steal and to kill and to destroy, knowing their time is short.
Here are some Scriptures, very briefly, about our Commander from the KJV.
John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
1 John 3:8b “…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (People expert in apologetics can be used by Jesus wonderfully, while remembering the gifts they have are from Him and are dependent on the Holy Spirit to bring life to the Scriptures and to create the new birth and new life their hearers need, to change their ways when they become new creatures in Christ themselves.)
1 John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is win you, thank he that is in the world.”
It is good too to remember the enemy is a liar and the father of lies. So when he speaks out comes a lie. As we hasten toward Jesus’ return, for those he controls before they are saved, lying will be expected to be more and more frequent and nearly continuous and considered an acceptable mechanism in their professional and personal lives. It helps too to not forget that the enemy can masquerade as an angel of light. He can work in others in abject evil such as terroristic shooting and persecutions but also comes in the form of so called “enlightenment” a word often used to characterize calling good evil and evil good. He does this by causing august bodies of learning and expertise such as educational institutions and professional groups who historically would stand for truth and facts to, in the closing days before Jesus comes, find increasingly, ways to spin the truth and facts to embrace conclusions that defy even common sense.
Wrath can arise in our hearts in this battle so at the end of the day it’s good to settle our heart and let go of the wrath and embrace the love and regain our perspective of the Great Commission. It’s so good to let forgiveness reign as Jesus does for us. It’s so good to all be busy being servants with the heart of the Good Samaritan always allowing ourselves to be interrupted on our journey by the needs of those around us with a heart free of keeping records and a faith that keeps us asking, seeking and knocking for the power of the Holy Spirit as Dr. Luke describes in Luke 11:5-13.
Winning the argument is compelling but winning the soul has value here and forever.
Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. More than anything may we desire our families, friends and fellow citizens world wide come to know Him and to watch and be ready for His return.
Meanwhile, may Jesus guide us to do Micah 6:8 (KJV) “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”, and Proverbs 31:8-9 (KJV), “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Love to all.
“…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel 11:32b (KJV)
We, as Christians, are to exhibit Christ-like behavior. We are to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and we are to stand up when things go against what the Bible teaches. I pray that we all – myself included – will be soft-hearted to those who are opposed to us, and that we handle our anger in a Christian way. God is still in control.
I grew up in a house filled with anger and rage and it planted a seed in me for many years well into adulthood. One day the Lord spoke to me and said, “Regina get rid of your anger, it is placing sickness into your body.” Now I am slow to anger and try to encourage others to do the same. I thank God for His legacy instead of one parent’s legacy. I now understand why God said, “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” We must quickly pray and allow God to work it out in us. Thank you Lord for your word!
Pastor Regina Brent
So much truth in this article and the comments. It is easy to shoot from the hip with our emotional and angry response. However, I do believe that if we next turn to God for His Will and what He wants of us in this matter, we can accomplish some good (with His direction). It all really starts with Prayer.
The devil comes to kill steal and destroy. I know One thing he is trying to steal from Me is my peace of mind.. I need to guard my heart so it stays soft and pliable in his hands. He says the hearts of many will grow hard in the last days.
I also remember that I am in this world but not of it. I also remember all the verses about forgiving others… I pray and listen for God’s voice and keep my focus on what he is telling me. He gives us all different assignments And then enables us to carry them through. It’s all about his kingdom and his righteousness and winning the lost for him. Amen?
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Dr. Charles Stanley has an excellent message about anger. In it he tells us that when we are angry, we need to use that anger as fuel to do something good for the body of Christ. There is another excellent article on this website about progressives that we can tie to this article. So every time we get angry at the lies of the media, we need to use it as fuel to 1) pray 2) donate to godly political campaigns 3) volunteer for conservative campaigns 4) write truthful comments on our social media that point people away from the lies of the secular media 5) stop patronizing popular culture that donates to liberal campaigns (every time we buy something from a company that donates to liberal campaigns we are, in fact, funding the very things we claim to be against) 6) be more bold and be less afraid …because the future of our country and our lives is at stake
Ana – how refreshing that you provided practical and tangible ways in the natural to counter all the evil to which we are exposed. Too often I read emotional or overly spiritual responses to an issue at hand, coupled with opinions and beliefs, so to be given a list of things anyone can do and should do is very much appreciated. Thank you for the practical suggestions you offer to counter the daily spiritual attacks we face here in America!
I am sorry the end of that 3 line from the end is Lord NOT LORDS, it is an error. I just want to add that I am feeling so much bolder when I am out. I am handing out cards with scriptures on them with messages on the back asking people to pray for our country and our president and I receive thanks for giving them to them. I am wearing T-shirts that are bold praying that someone sees them and asks about it. They even have T-shirts saying what can I pray for you today. I am emailing representatives and government offices. Most of all I am building my faith that God will hear our cry and act on our behalf.
Thank you for these wonderful suggestions. I am going to look into those shirts. And I am going to mail tracts to my local politicians today. 👍
As a senior I can think of no better way to reach people. The scripture cards I leave at restaurants, sometimes cashiers at the stores and I put on the back of them: John 3:16, then I write please pray for our country and our president and family. I thank you for thinking about it also. Thanks for joining me. 🙂
I am 70 and I love this country and I want to see it back the way it was. There is so much to be turned around, BUT GOD, who is all sufficient is giving us a short window of time. I find when I am praying for our country and for Israel, I feel a fire, anger if you wish, but my prayers are the Word and faith that my God is hearing and acting as we are praying. So pray in the Spirit and worship in the spirit and believe with all your heart God is here. He also has His plan for us and our country and we can stand and pray all that we want our country to be. I pray right now that the hearts of the people in this country and others will be softened, that the stony heart be changed to a fleshly heart. That anger will be turned to compassion and love, the love that only God can give. I pray a hedge of protection around our country and Israel, a hedge of fire that will burn up all the stubble coming from the devil. That God will strengthen us to stand in His might and power. I come to the throne room and get on my knees before you Lords and ask for your Glory to cover this earth and make us strong and diligent to pray in the Spirit and in our language, to Worship before your throne from our hearts. Hear us oh God and move on our behalf. Hear our hearts cry Lord.
This is exactly what we need to hear and do as born again believers! Thank the Lord some people still believe! We must hold the word of God in our hearts closely and so much more as we see the day approaching May God have mercy on us as we Pray for victory in Jesus in these troubled times we live . We must daily put on the whole armor of God as. We are in a spiritual battle and it’s no fake news here ! Praying does change things as we join together for victory in Jesus !
This was a good for me today, I’ve been finding myself asking Yeshua ” How did You love us on the cross? How did You say, ” Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” Whatching Congress Fake IMPEACH our President, hearing MSM some times, Knowing about all the Pedophiles out there. Dear Father in Heaven, HELP. I confess, I don’t think I can love the pedos. I was abused. I’m 59 yrs old and it still messes with me. It hurts my heart to see or hear about children being abused. And this Ant- semitism that everyone tries to blame on President Trump. Aaarg CAN NOT ANYONE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS. I know there are bad jews, well there are bad everybody.Jews NEED YESHUA, IT’S SUCH A SHAME ON THE BODY THAT WE DON’T SHARE HIM WITH THEM. FATHER IN HEAVEN PLEASE, I AM ANGRY, PLEASE FORGIVE , PLEASE HELP ME AND OH YA PLEASE REMIND OTHERS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS A BABY CHRISTIAN. GIVE HIM JUST A BRAKE. AMEN
Fake News is very intimidating!!It needs to stop,its a Sin to lie,but yet its allowed.
Its everywhere,social media,tv,radio,
Movies,etc,etc.
Christians DO NOT
be led by this??
ignore it all? Stay focued on this site which is ALL true.
“Walk In Faith”
Amen.
Amen!!!
without love, it isn’t Truth
“Otherwise, we will risk becoming Christian hypocrites: angry that the world is not Christian but untroubled that we are not Christlike.” That’s good. Thank you!
Amen. Thank you.
This is an early cup of Joe to get the blood flowing in the Truth …
[Jas 1:22-27 NKJV] 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues [in it], and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion [is] useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, [and] to keep oneself unspotted from the world.