THE FORCES OF
OPPOSITION
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INTRODUCTION
The forces of opposition identifies a problem that is systematically stripping away the nation under God concept through acceptance and tolerance of ungodliness which is captivating the heartbeat of a nation that once flourished under God’s umbrella of protection. The church, that once shined forth as a beacon of light, has in some instances diminished such a standing, by acceptance of traits once condemned.
Sometime prior to his death, General Booth of the Salvation army, uttered this significant prophecy: I consider that the chief dangers that confront the coming century will be Religion without the Holy Ghost; Christianity without Christ; Forgiveness without regeneration; Morality without God; and Heaven without Hell. Are those prophetic words coming to fruition in the hour in which we live?
The Forces of Opposition
Evil Forces Unleashed
Apostle Paul wrote: Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand (Ephesians 6:11-13). It was noted that the evil day refers to demonic on slaughters and satanic assaults. The whole armor of God consists of: Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of peace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17).
We are witnessing daily occurrences of what was described by Apostle Paul, almost beyond understanding, as if Pandora’s Box of Evils has been unleashed. In Greek mythology a story is told of a box sent by the gods to Pandora, which she was forbidden to open. She opened the box out of curiosity that loosened a swarm of evils upon mankind: a prolific source of troubles.
Sodom and Gomorrah
There is an influx of evil in the world as that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Apostle Peter noted: God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemning them with an overthrow (destruction), making them an example to those that afterward should live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6). Have we heeded the warning, of the spread of homosexuality, one of the primary evils of Sodom and Gomorrah, becoming more prevalent today with opposition, not as it once was?
Sexual perversion has now added same sex marriage and transgenderism to its list, being legalized, in many nations. The spread of such pervasion has been enhanced through mainstream and social media, the internet, the film and television industry which further promotes its embracement.
Apostle Paul wrote: As they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate (debased) mind, to do those things which are not convenient (fitting) (Romans 1:28); who knowing the judgment of God, that which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure (approve of) them that do them (Romans 1:32).
Forces of Evil at our
Doorstep
Immorality is being promoted with any opposition deemed as an enemy to be dealt with. The Psalmist David noted: They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; they that would destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty; then I restored that which I took not away (Psalm 69:4). David, as a man of God, knew it was like to face the forces of opposition.
Oftentimes, when one attempts to do good evil forces are amassed against them. When a righteous man seeks to do good, in an unrighteous setting, it will bring the forces of opposition to one’s doorstep, as in the case of Lot in Sodom. Scripture reveals: They (the men of Sodom) said, this fellow (Lot) came to sojourn (stay a little while), and he now seeks to be a judge; we will deal worse with him, than with them.
They pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door (Genesis 19:9); Scripture reveals that the angels smote (stuck) the men that were at the door of the house with blindness (Genesis 19:11). The men of Sodom (homosexuals) were seeking to know (have sexual activity) with the men (unknown to them were angels) who had came to Lot’s house, with Lot attempting to protect them.
Prolonged Wickedness
The Apostle Paul wrote: All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Evil men, and seducers shall wax (grow) worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:12-13). We are witnessing such activity as the forces of opposition become bolder in their endeavor to upset the normality of life that has been promoted through godly precepts. The godly structure of many nations is being tarnished by the ungodliness of man.
Godly individuals who once stood for the righteousness of God, without compromise, are slowly drying out; with replacements not of the same caliber who are being drawn into a new progressive movement that is capturing the heartbeat of many former godly nations. Had the righteousness of God continued to flourish; ungodliness would not have come to the degree it has.
Noah H. Mack in a sermon titled “The Little Foxes” noted: Those who have been responsible for the housekeeping in the church has not been watchful enough and let the little foxes creep into the vineyard and now they are so numerous and big that they cannot be driven out by ordinary methods of teaching and warning, for they well-nigh have possession of the vineyard.
Worldly Culture of Today
There are many whose conscience has become seared; with godly conviction no longer flourishing as before. Apostle Paul, in giving warning to Timothy, a young evangelist, wrote: The Spirit (Spirit of God) speaks expressly, that in the latter time (which we are in) some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits (the forces of opposition), and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared as a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:1-2); this substantives that some will have departed from traditional Christianity by allowing the worldly culture of today to come to fruition.
The progressive social gospel offers inducement for one to break away from the righteousness of God; if one is not grounded in the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God. The Prophet Amos revealed there will be a time that the fruit of righteousness will be turned into hemlock (Amos 6:12). It is interesting to note that the word hemlock refers to a plant that poison is derived from. Poison infects or pollutes the body until injury, illness, or death results. It can be of a harmful influence such as will ruin, taint, inhibit, or embitter. When this influence creeps into a church, oftentimes unawares, it creates a powerless church.
Those who Shout the
Loudest
It is not the one who shouts the loudest that bears the truth; neither does the Word of God encourage such a demeanor; Jesus, in sending out His disciples, said: I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be you wise as serpents, and harmless (innocent) as doves (Matthew 10:16). In the ancient Near East the serpent was commonly regarded as the wisest of beasts. A cautious wisdom was necessary in order to deal with the forces of opposition that the disciples would face.
Apostle James wrote: Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man works not (does not produce) the righteousness of God. Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity (abundance) of naughtiness (wickedness), and receive with meekness the engrafted (implanted) word which is able to save your souls. Be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:19-22).
It was noted that trials require silence and patience because talk inflames anger and anger inflames talk. Anger also distracts from listening to God as in the case of Moses who in anger disobeyed God as to how to bring forth water to the people of God (Numbers 20:8-12).
A Return to God
Scripture identifies a need to return to God; a must for any nation, or individual, who have drifted away from God, having allowed the forces of opposition to be an influence rather than the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
It was noted that this promise was originally given to King Solomon regarding the people of Israel, it is applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith. Scripture noted what would happen if the people rebelled and opposed the mercy and forgiveness offered: If you turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; then will I pluck you up out of my land which I have given you; and this house which I have sanctified (set apart) for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it a proverb and byword among all nations (2 Chronicles 7:19-20).
Judgment Forestalled
Apostle Peter gives a reason why judgment may be delayed: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (destruction of the wicked), as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not wiling that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, as in the case of Nineveh. Scripture reveals: The people of Nineveh believed God (of foretold destruction), and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth (a sign of repentance), from the greatest of them even to the least of them (Jonah 3:5). God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented (relented) of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not (Jonah 3:10).
Peter noted that judgment will be forthcoming: Whereby the world that then was (pre-Flood days of Noah), being overflowed with water, perished; but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word (the hand of God) are kept in store against (until) the day of judgment and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:7). Today is the Day of Salvation, tomorrow may be too late.
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