Topics include:
Apocalypse Now - Part 8
- How is the woman sitting on the ephah in Babylon discussed in Zechariah related to the woman riding the beast with the title “Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth” in Revelation?
- Why does this entity attempt to destroy the family structure?
- Does the Scripture support the fact that God’s authority is patriarchal?
- How many of society’s ills are symptoms of fatherlessness?
I just have one comment, in the New Testament it says repeatedly to honor the King and not to speak evil of dignitaries. Now, I cite the Book of Jude and 2 Peter 2: 10-12.
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear criticism about President Obama, I think we may be veering too closely to 'evil talk' of dignitaries. I could be mis-understanding those verses and other verses. But correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe that we as Christians are in a position to speak critically (or judge) anyone who is in power and authority -- and especially someone who is not a Christian. We are to follow this so0 that those in power will not have an accusation to bring against us?
I would appreciate any feedback about this.
Thanks.
Hello Emily: Take a look at Elijah dealig with King Ahab and Nathan the Prophet dealing with King David after he sinned with Bathsheba. In the new testament Jesus spoke of Herod as a fox and the disciples did not veer away from dealing with the unrighteousness of rulers in their day. President Obama is not a man that is superior to the dictates of the scripture. He is subject to the word of God like everybody else. He stands for homosexuality, abortion (murder of unborn children) and an all inclusive belief system that undermines Christian sanctification and holiness. Jesus is the only way to God period. We are not seeking for the world "not to have an accusation against us". We speak truth to power and call all men to repentence. President Obama needs to be saved just like everybody else and he never will be if he is not challenged concerning his sins. So, I correct you because you are wrong. We have been backing up and staying quiet long enough. This is a spiritual war!! Jesus it the only hope for every living soul and there are no other answers. The Bible does not authorize us to remain quiet with 60 million babies murdered by the "dignitaries" you speak of. Evil has to be confronted with truth and absolute authority. Christians have attempted a feeble presentation of "love" and the devil has spat in our faces now for twenty years. I for one am tired of wiping his spit off of my face. Now it's time for him to experiece the power of the Lord and know that the Lord means business.
ReplyDeleteIt's time to bring the battle to the enemies gates and set captives free. Come on Emily, let's go!!!!!
Psstor Price
Hi Emily,
ReplyDeleteLook at the context of "speaking evil". It is seeking for evil to come to them, i.e. cursing them, lying on them, seeking their harm.
Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? Psalm 41:5
"For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue...Let his days be few; and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow...Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul." Psalm 109:2,8-9,20
"And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." Acts 23:2-5
You can study more, but my point is that this does not speak to criticism. Remember what Jesus said about John the Baptist (Matt. 11:11; Luke 7:28)? Yet, John criticized Herod stating what he'd done was unlawful. Moses addressed Pharaoh, Samuel addressed Saul, Daniel addressed Nebuchadnezzar...
We are called to speak God's truths as He leads, even to rulers. Scripture says many will be called before such as a witness (Matt. 10:18-19; Mark 13:9-11; Luke 12:11).
All earthly authority is established by God for His purposes (Dan. 2:21; Rom. 13:1). Seeking harm against such would be similar to fighting God's will. Yet, we must not be a respecter of persons in proclaiming God's truths.
I hope that this has given you more food for thought about what it really means to "speak evil". Many Godly men - working under the unction of the Holy Spirit - have confronted the evil doings of kings and rulers throughout Scripture.
Lastly, I wanted to speak about others not having an accusation against us.
"In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." Titus 2:7-8
"I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully." I Timothy 5:14
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." I Peter 2:11-15
"Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." I Peter 3:16
When Scriptures reference this, it is not because we have refrained from pointing out their ungodliness (which is not a command of God), but because we have lived Godly lives. The accusations they make are unfounded because they are not based in truth.
Our only answer is to be led by the Spirit of God. He will give us the words to speak (even before rulers) as He has done with other Godly men. It is also only the power of the Holy Spirit which can enable us to live a holy life which will leave adversaries powerless to accuse us. God Bless!
Thank you so much for clearing this matter up! I presented that argument because that's a main argument I receive from other people and especially other Christians. And I was also beginning to believe that we are not to say anything at all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for those verses, I will definitely look into them and others.
But then I think about what Ephesians 5 says to expose evil and you are right Pastor Price, it is our duty to shine a light on the evils that these people are commiting. And how dare they profess to be believers of God too!!
God Bless, your teachings have really encouraged me a lot in these dark days.