Take Off The Muzzle And Stop Just "Doing Church"
By Kristie Cody
Hosea 4:6 (KJV)
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou
hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt
be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy
God, I will also forget thy children.
Christians in America are being destroyed due to a lack of knowledge. Our current culture is saturated with layer upon layer of deception, yet we are too distracted with our techno-gadgetry, social media, and mundane traditions to notice anything amiss. We may think of ourselves as so much more advanced than people who lived a century or two ago because we have amassed a spectacular amount of technological know-how, yet we fail to realize that we have done so at the expense of retaining any measureable level of wisdom. How many professing Christians are wise enough to recognize that the Holy Bible is still the only tangible source of truth we have in this world? How many actually study what it contains so as to develop discernment in addressing the deceptions of our drowning society?
We live in a culture that calls abortion "health care", embraces homosexuality and "gay marriage", promotes transgenderism, declares that mankind descended from apes and looks to the U.S. Government as the ultimate, benevolent caregiver of humanity, both here and abroad. Every one of these notions are firmly rooted in pure evil. This is the society in which American Christians live every day of our lives, with relatively few offering more than a whimper in protest of the encroaching evils surrounding us. Recognizing that evil does not restrain itself, I do not hesitate to predict that the current situation in this country will only get worse. Christian churches are shrinking in size and influence while altars of depravity and wickedness are popping up all over the place with unprecedented notoriety and prestige.
Far too many Christian congregations in this country are listening to the same stock sermons of thirty and forty years ago, then going home no better equipped to defend their faith than when they first walked in the door. Perhaps even worse, mega-churches are filling their pews with entertainment-style, cotton candy services, creating a "love everybody" atmosphere at the expense of real scriptural conviction and substance. Sunday after Sunday, in churches all across this nation, Christians are "doing church" as if it's business as usual. In most Christian churches today, you will not hear a single sermon preached on the evils of governmental and societal promotion of abortion, homosexuality, "gay marriage", transgenderism, or the lie of evolution. At best, you may hear an occasional vague reference to one of these issues but nothing with any specificity, conviction or biblical condemnation. What good is a church that trades solid scriptural conviction for contemporary music adorned with churchy-sounding pep talks? Showy and shallow is not a church that is pleasing to Jesus. What good is a church when the Pastor is preaching the salvation message to the same 12 saved people, Sunday after Sunday, year after year? That church is stagnant. Yet they wonder why their efforts to entice people to come are failing. Jesus is the One who builds His church (Matthew 16:18). It is completely understandable that He will not fill the pews of any church that only shares the word of God selectively, rather than in its entirety.
In a world filled with people who do not believe they are living in damnable sin, it is hard to convince them that they need a Savior. Sugar-coating or ignoring entire sections of the Bible will only help solidify their belief that they are just fine as they are and have no need of Jesus to save them from the penalty of their sins. Pastors are not leading their congregations in ways to defend and share their faith in the face of today's societal issues and congregations are not asking for this information. Apparently it is preferrable to show up on Sunday, listen to a benign sermon lacking any real conviction, shake hands, go home and check off that box on the weekly "To Do" list. Consequently, Christians are not equipped to address any of the current social deceptions from a biblical perspective when presented with an opportunity to witness to a person in need. Satan is winning souls every minute of the day because Christians don't know how to provide biblically sound answers to lost people caught in the deadly vacuum of current social trends. Too often, Christians will give canned responses and walk away before the situation becomes too uncomfortable or, they will simply remain silent because they do not know what to say.
We live in a world that despises undiluted Biblical truth. It is offensive. A person is never quite so offended as when it is brought to their attention that they are on the path to hell. Their defenses come out like a switchblade, attacking you, God, and the Bible. To avoid such an uncomfortable interaction, many Christians simply don't say anything in the first place, opting instead to go along to get along. Worse still, a great number of Christians appear to believe that God has changed His mind in order to coincide with today's societal norms. As if God has evolved in His thinking so as to catch up with our current human standards. Fornication is basically expected in today's world rather than viewed as the sin against God that it truly is. When little Tiffany decides to live with her boyfriend, does anyone sit her and the young man down to explain to them that, even though this is common practice in this world, it is a damnable sin in the eyes of Almighty God? Does anyone tell them, with a motivation of love, that this will lead them to a literal, everlasting hell? Probably not. A majority of Christian parents will likely shake their heads, saying that they disapprove of the situation, but nevertheless, will resign themselves to acceptance. Homosexuality, a clearly declared abomination against God, has somehow become fashionable in today's world. Far too often, when a Christian's son reveals that he is "gay", suddenly Scripture is skewed to accommodate his lifestyle choice and no one says anything about it because they are afraid of upsetting the family. In the course of daily living, Christians are making compromises to the written word of God that God has not ordained.
Although Christians are to be representative of Jesus, one of the last places you will find true Christ-like character in America is in the Christian churches. Christians tend to have a one-sided approach, focusing solely on the love Jesus showed toward sinners while completely ignoring the fact that Jesus did not ignore, excuse, tolerate or accept sin. Jesus called out sin when He encountered it. He forgave sin when a repentant person came to him but He also commanded them to sin no more (John 5:14, John 8:11). On at least 2 separate occasions, Jesus became so angry at those committing sin inside the temple that He went in, threw over their tables and ran them out of there (Matthew 21:12-13 and Mark 11:15-17, John 2:15-16). Read the gospels and you will see that all throughout His public ministry on earth, Jesus was constantly calling out the Pharisees and the Sadducees (the religious leaders of that day) for their sins and hypocrisy. He did not "affirm" anyone in their sin as the secular world demands of us today. Jesus did not refrain from speaking God's undiluted truth for the sake of not offending someone or losing followers. He spoke the full gospel truth and allowed those who did not want it to walk away. Jesus did not tiptoe around anyone's feelings when it came to speaking God's word to a dying and sinful world. Following Jesus' example, it is clearly not a display of Christ-like character to remain silent in the face of blatant sin. It is not Christ-like to dilute the clear teachings of Scripture to avoid offending anyone. It is not Christ-like to filter the written word of God in hopes of appealing to the masses and, thereby, boosting church membership. It is not Christ-like to wear a secular, governmental muzzle, preaching only the parts of Scripture the government is currently willing to tolerate. Struggling with sin is a direct consequence of our fallen human nature. Embracing sin is a conscious decision to pursue a sinful lifestyle in direct opposition to God. The eternal consequences of living that sinful lifestyle demands that the full, unfiltered truth be preached while there is still time for people to be saved.
Satan and his minions are bold in declaring their deceptions as truth, claiming every soul they can trick into following them. Why aren't Christians equally - or even more - bold in declaring the absolute truth of God's Word to a deceived and dying world? Yes, it is difficult and uncomfortable to address some of these issues! No one is denying that. However, as professing followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to study the complete word of God and proclaim the undiluted truth in the face of lies. Beyond that, it is the Holy Spirit's responsibility to convict the hearts of those hearing the message. Keep in mind, they can't hear the message in the first place if we do not do our job and boldly proclaim it.
Peter, Paul, Stephen and other early Christian leaders preached the gospel truth of Jesus, knowing they would be put in prison and even sentenced to death. The threat of death was not enough to silence them. Church leaders in America today are completely silenced by the mere threat of losing their positions or, God forbid, losing their tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status. Individual church members are silenced by lack of actual biblical knowledge or simply the fear of upsetting someone. Offending Jesus by tolerating sin has somehow become preferrable to offending someone in the church or community by calling out sin. So, we remain silent while these sins continue weaving their way deeper into the fabric of our families and neighborhoods, morphing from tolerated to accepted to normalized over an amazingly short period of time. How quickly we lose sight of the fact that what has become commonplace within our world is still sin separating people from God.
It is past time for Pastors and church leaders to throw off the government's muzzle and boldly speak the undiluted entirety of God's word to this deceived and rapidly dying world. In case you have not noticed, every discernable sign is frantically declaring that our time for doing so is nearly up.
The following are helpful verses and passages for further study:
Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rockI will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (emphasis added)
Ephesians 6:10-20 (KJV)
10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12) 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.
13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15) And your fee shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, tomake known the mystery of the gospel,
20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
John 5:14 (KJV)
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
John 8:11 (KJV)
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Matthew 21:12-13 (KJV)
12) And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13) And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mark 11:15-17 (KJV)
15) And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16) And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17) And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
John 2:15-16 (KJV)
15) And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
16) And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Psalm 139:13-16 (KJV)
13) For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb,
14) I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15) My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16) Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Leviticus 18:21 (KJV)
And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
(*** The fact that this verse comes directly prior to verses condemning homosexuality and beastiality should serve as further testimony as to the level of God's disgust with those who practice child sacrifice, which in today's vernacular is known as abortion.)
Genesis 1:27 (KJV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 2:21-25 (KJV)
21) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23) And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25) And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Matthew 19:4-6 (KJV)
4) And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5) And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6) Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
*When government oversteps its God-given parameters, remember what Peter said:
Acts 5:29 (KJV)
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Mark 16:15-16 (KJV)
15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Romans 1:18-32 (KJV)
18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25) 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.
26) 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:
27) 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.
28) 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;
29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31) Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32) 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.
Leviticus 18:22 (KJV)
Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is abomination.
(***The fact that this verse is sandwiched between verses against child sacrifice and against beastiality should serve as a clear testimony of the level of disgust God has for this act, in addition to the fact that He flat out calls it "abomination")
Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV)
19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.