Sis. Julie Davis
Editor of The Remnant
As I write, it’s July, and COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter group, and the 2020 US presidential election are all topics of passionate discussion in my country. People all over the world are touched by some of these issues, and the news can’t seem to speak of anything else. Though we’re not going to discuss these specific issues, I want to take a biblical look at the bigger picture. It’s time to get to the root of our problems.
It seems that somewhere in time, a few generations ago, humanity lost its grasp on Jesus. Most people neglect daily Bible reading and study in the home, family prayer, and regular church attendance. Which generation dropped the ball in teaching their children to live for the Lord? 1 Corinthians 15:34 says, “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” As the years tick by, as a society, we are less and less concerned with God. The mention of the name Jesus has become an uncomfortable moment. The Bible isn’t just gathering dust on the shelf- it isn’t even in the home.
The Bible describes this era perfectly in Romans 1:25-32: “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
A new spirit has replaced the worship of God – the zeitgeist (Noun; the spirit of the time; general trend of thought or feeling characteristic of a particular period of time.).1 The solid, unchanging truths of the Word of God have been replaced with ever-changing political and social movements. What was acceptable twenty years ago is frowned upon today, as is the reverse. Malachi 3:6-7 says, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?” Proverbs 24:21-22 says, “My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?” You may say that we are a more evolved species now, progressing and improving as a society. I beg to differ. Crime2 and suicide3 are on the rise as we as a culture become more “woke”.
I hate the term “woke” because it implies that the old paths were in the darkness, its adherents’ eyes blinded. Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”
I refuse to bow to societal pressures to reject Jesus and go with the ever-changing tide of what’s right this year. The zeitgeist is controlled by Satan and fueled by the media.
I’ve noticed a general trend in the country to look down on, mock, and hate biblical principles and those who adhere to them. Christians are considered stupid or bigots for believing God’s Word. Luke 21:17, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” Those who can see that this is just another one of Satan’s tools are the only ones with their eyes wide open.
Titus 2:4-5 speaks of women: “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” 1 Timothy 5:8 speaks of men: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” The Lord gave each gender a purpose and role, and these are not for anyone to scorn, because Jesus created these genders and their functions to reflect His relationship with His Church. Mark 10:6, “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.”
However, the zeitgeist isn’t satisfied with biblical gender roles. It drives women to their wit’s end. A friend of mine struggles with the decision to stay home to raise her children or keep up the appearance of a strong, working woman. The spirit of the age is trying to force women to work a job AND keep house AND raise children. What a terrible struggle. The zeitgeist that’s being worshipped is a cruel taskmaster and will never be satisfied. You’ll never know what it wants from one year to the next until you’re blind-sided by its demands.
No, thank you. I will continue to follow Jesus and His Word, because it is what it is, and I always know what to expect, how to act, what to think, and how to live. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” †