Stand Up for America

July 2020 has been an interesting time in the United States and around the world. Untold violence, social unrest, racial division, false media narratives, fear of disease, and draconian state and federal restrictions seemed to have swooped down upon our country overnight.

Looting and murder have become a modern urban plague. But like a rotted tree that eventually falls, there has been much undermining of American values for decades. Yet today is also a time to live freely in the true liberty that we have in Christ, despite the adversity around us. God’s Word shows us how.

David faced difficult times. Once, when David and his men were away from their city, the enemy came and looted everything, burned down their homes—and even kidnapped all their wives and children. His men looked only at the negative “news” of their time, and then lashed out at their leader. David had a different perspective.

I Samuel 30:6:
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. 

David encouraged himself in our loving heavenly Father. He went to God and asked Him what to do. He boldly took action on what the Father told him, and with the help of those men who were still able to do something, David took back all that had been stolen.

I Samuel 30:19: 
And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all. 

These are challenging times, but we can help to recover our country’s freedom as we go to the Father and do today what He would have us to do, with the full authority we have through the “Son of David,” Jesus Christ. The Bible is our “Declaration of Interdependence” on God, His Son Jesus Christ, and one another. Freely you have received, so freely give God’s best to others.

Stopping the Violence

So what can we do to stop the violence? One of the most important Biblical truths is that there is a Devil who wants to steal and kill and destroy. Jesus Christ pointed this out in John 10:10. One of Satan’s biggest tricks today is to “defund” and remove those who enforce our nation’s laws. They want to get rid of “law enforcement” because they are lawless and want the reward of violence and looting (which could include financial gain and definitely an egotistical sense of power).

How can such evil exist in a nation with such strong and vibrant laws? Because of modern schemes to slow down or stop the administration of justice.

Ecclesiastes 8:11:
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

When there are no consequences, the devil spirit realm has license to possess the weak-minded and incite them to violence and disorder. God is NOT the source of confusion. Old Testament laws were designed, not for those who loved God and followed His spiritual lead, but for those who refused His loving guidance.

I Timothy 1:9,10:  
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind [homosexuals], for menstealers [kidnappers], for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.

Laws are made to prevent actions prompted by evil spirits. Paul gave Timothy a pretty good list: those who reject God, those who kill their parents, murderers, religious and secular prostitution, homosexual acts, human traffickers, and those who twist and manipulate the news they are supposed to report.

Old Testament Protection

Moses was the meekest man on the earth in his time (Numbers 12:3). Justice was swift under his leadership, including capital punishment. God believes in self-defense and individual protection. He set up for His people national, community, and personal defense systems in the Bible.

For example, the children of Israel could kill their enemy in wartime for national self-defense. Exodus 22:2 says that an individual could protect their home with force, and even kill the attacker without legal consequence. But what about community self-defense?

God is loving and kind, and the Devil is vicious and full of hate. Lucifer took a third of the original angels with him, and they now obey his commands as evil spirits. It is unnatural to murder, hate parents or hurt parents or children, be attracted to the same sex, try to communicate with the dead. Even animals are smarter than that—you don’t see a mother deer killing her fawn, or two bulls trying to mate, or a mare trying to communicate with a dead stallion. Laws were made to force those influenced by evil spirits to keep proper boundaries. That way, the community was protected from their evil acts.

Exodus 21:12,15,16: 
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him [human trafficking], or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

Murder and human trafficking were punishable by death. That stopped those who were controlled by evil spirits from continuing to hurt the community. Another capital crime was trying to communicate with dead people. God made it clear that people who die are in the grave until future resurrections. So any so-called “dead person” brought into a séance or psychic reading, must in reality be an evil spirit using that psychic or medium to deceive others.

Exodus 22:18:  
Thou shalt not suffer a witch [psychic, spiritualist] to live.

Leviticus 20:27:
A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit [communicates with the evil spirits that impersonate dead people], or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

Sexual crimes were also to be defended against. Rape, adultery, and homosexual relations were capital crimes. These were caused by evil-spirit influences. Even cross-dressing was prohibited to keep out the effects of evil spirits.

Deuteronomy 22:25:
But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her [rape]: then the man only that lay with her shall die.

Leviticus 20:10,13: 
And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman [homosexual relations], both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Deuteronomy 22:5:
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

The Answer

So what do we do about the evil around us? Jesus Christ is the answer to any problem in the world today. God gave His Son all authority, and Jesus Christ has shared that power with us in his name. We are no longer under Old Testament laws, for they dealt with spiritual matters in a physical way. Today, those who are born-again can walk by God’s spirit within them. We follow “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:2). The foundation of our actions and service to others is God’s love.

Here are few practical suggestions that could help us stand up for our country and show other nations how to gain some of the freedoms that we enjoy.

• Love those around you, especially spouse, family, and friends, and brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Love is giving.
• When you see evil, ask the Father what to do about it.
• Read God’s Word for encouragement and direction.
• Pray without ceasing for our country and its leaders.
• Support genuine law enforcement and a justice system that is based on Biblical truths.

And most importantly, preach Christ. Without a preacher, it won’t be heard. Whosoever calls on our Lord will be saved, and faith comes by hearing the Word of God.

II Corinthians 13:11:
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect [spiritually mature], be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.