No Blind Eye!
Thank you for joining me today! I write these blog posts to reveal the truth of the Gospel to you. When you encounter Truth, you are changed. The Word of God sets you free! Ask God to give you a clear understanding of His Word and ask Him to use it to conform you more and more into His image! Eric
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (Edmund Burke).
“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” (Albert Einstein).
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” (Desmond Tutu).
“Love cannot endure indifference.” (Henry Ward Beecher).
“More than just an emotional response to someone in need, compassion and mercy compel us into action.” (Rick Renner).
This week’s blog is, once again, one of vital importance. I believe many of us are aware of news reports of someone being robbed, mugged, or murdered while others stood by and did nothing. Today, are you aware of those who are being bullied, ignored, teased incessantly, enticed to take drugs, to join gangs, or being encouraged to have an abortion, and yet no one cares enough to intervene?
As we learn from history, it happens time and time again. Horrifically, we know that 6 million Jews, Roma (an ethnic group of traditionally itinerant people who originated in northern India), Slavs and other minority groups were slaughtered by Hitler’s Natzi Germany during WWII. Many nations and individuals knew what was taking place and yet, did nothing.
The Rwandan Genocide took place in 1994 against the Tutsi minority ethnic group as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa. Some 800,000 were murdered during a 100 day period. In April of 1994 most of a U.N. peacekeeping operation which had been created in 1993 had been withdrawn. The international community largely remained on the sidelines during the genocide. (history.com/topics/africa/rwandan-genocide).
There are present day human rights violations taking place around the world every day, including human and sex trafficking. (According to cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/field/trafficking-gov, approximately 800,000 people are trafficked annually across national borders, not including millions trafficked within their own countries).
According to walkfree.org, as of 2023 there were 50 million modern day slaves in the world. Many are forced to work in industry, electronics, textiles, clothing, mining, and logging. Among those noted in the report, there were 11 million in India, 5.8 million in China, 1.9 million in Russia and 1.1 million in the United States of America.
In the United States, there are many atrocities that are taking place. Abortion (1 million 26 thousand and 700 in 2023, npr.org). There are progressive and irrational ideals being promoted by government, in education, business entities, the media, and even some churches.
Sexual perversion is being taught as normal life choices. The destruction of families, parental authority, along with gender issues, and many other lies of the devil are being promoted.
Do not be discouraged by what has been shared so far. The things that are taking place are, in fact, taking place. Knowledge is power!
We need to know what God’s plans and desires are in regard to the action His children should take. As believers, we need to be aware of what battles need to be fought. The Scripture is clear that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, so let’s dive into the Word of God and see what we are to do!
Proverbs 24:11 and 12 (Amplified Bible) reads, “Rescue those who are being taken away to death, And those who stagger to the slaughter, Oh hold them back [from their doom]! 12 If you [claim ignorance and] say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs and examines the hearts and their motives? And does He not know it who guards your life and keeps your soul? And will He not repay [you and] every man according to his works?” We have an obligation to rescue those who are headed for destruction. God will not accept our excuses.
When a lawyer, who wanted to justify himself before men, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. A Jew had fallen among thieves who had stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and left him for dead. A priest and a Levite passed by on the other side of the road. A Samaritan with whom the Jews had distinct racial tensions, an enemy, who was despised by the Jews, had compassion on the man and ministered to him. (Luke 10:25-37). There is no doubt in regard to whom God desires that we be concerned about.
James 4:17 (NIV), “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.“ ‘Good’ (kalos) means beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, morally good, and noble. In the textual notes from the NSFLB we read, “Sin is not only actively committing evil deeds, it is also passively failing to do what God wants you to do. There is a sin of omission. You see, being aware is not enough. It is important that we actively pursue righteousness and stand up against evil.
Scripture reveals that we are to hate evil. Romans 12:9 (CSB), “Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.“ ‘Without hypocrisy’ means unfeigned, sincere, without pretension and without putting on an act. ‘Detest’ (abhor, (hate) in the King James) means to detest utterly.
Then we learn in Proverbs 8:13a (NIV) that “to fear (reverence) the Lord is to hate evil.”
Considering all of the evil that is manifesting in our world today, it would be easy to ask, “What can one person do?” Then, because it can seem overwhelming, quite often, sadly, many of us have done or do nothing.
Not speaking out and disagreeing is the same as agreeing! Doing nothing is allowing the evil to continue. Not standing against it, is by default, supporting it.
I realize that we, as individuals, cannot be heavily involved to stand against every issue. However, it is vital that you, in obedience, take strong issue with what God gives you.
What everyone who lives in a democracy can do, is vote. I realize that many times it can be difficult to determine if either candidate is worth voting for. However, you do your research, discover which candidate most supports a godly view of the issues, pray, and follow God’s directive. In the United States, we have an election coming up in November. Our criteria for voting should not be based on how much we like or dislike a candidate, but on how they support godly, righteous principles. We need to seek the wisdom of the Lord and act in obedience to how He leads. (James 1:5). As Christians, we must be a part of the process or the devil wins. If you do not vote, you are, in essence, voting for the one you least want to win the election.
We must take care in regard to using our own judgment concerning who we perceive as wicked or righteous. Again, we must pray and ask the Lord for wisdom. He has promised to give wisdom to us when we ask for it. Look at what Proverbs 17:15 (ESV) reveals, “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.“ If we justify the wicked and condemn the righteous, we are an abomination to the Lord. ‘Abomination’ means to be detestable, a disgusting thing, and shameful.
Above all, fellow believers, we must fight spiritual warfare and take our nations back from satan.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV), “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.“
When we talk about putting on the armor of God, we must realize that we have need of that armor, so that we can overcome the battles and attacks of the devil, against us and our nation. The armor provides the spiritual help needed for overcoming. The armor enables us to stand firm and be prepared so that in the midst of the fight, we can hold our position.
Remember, our fight is not against flesh and blood. “One of the church’s greatest demands is to discern between the spiritual struggle and other social, personal, and political difficulties. Otherwise, individual believers and groups become too easily detoured, ‘wrestling’ with human adversaries instead of prayerfully warring against the invisible works of hell behind the scenes.” (Textural notes in the NSFLB for verse 12).
“All spiritual warfare waged today is victorious only on the basis of appropriating the provision of the Cross and Christ’s blood.” (Textural notes for verses 13 through 17 in the NSFLB). The warfare is won by the blood and Name of Jesus!
Verse 18’s instruction bears repeating, “Pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers...be alert!” Be attentive, be ready, be intent!
Pray, pray, pray!
Be a voice!
Stand up and be counted!
Write congressmen!
Make others aware!
Boycott products from those nations who are using slave labor to make that product!
If you are aware of those who have been involved in having an abortion, drug usage, pornography, having gender issues, etcetera, the best thing you can do is...Share the Gospel! The paramount rescue is to show someone the way to a right relationship with God, so that they escape hell and live in the fullness of His love.
No matter their life circumstances, lead those who are bound to the only true basis for hope and freedom, a life with Jesus Christ as Lord!
Be those in the family of God who are aware of what is taking place in their world. Once you know what things are taking place in your sphere, do not sit idly by, as with a blind eye, and do nothing.
Be an active participant in the Family of God!
Amplified Bible
NIV New International Version
CSB Christian Standard Bible
ESV English Standard Version
NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible