THE FORCES OF OPPOSITION

INTRODUCTION

The forces of opposition is a problem that is systematically stripping away the concept of a nation under God though acceptance and tolerance being allowed, towards 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 diminished its standing by allowing 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 (that of God’s Spirit); 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

The Apostle Paul wrote: Put on the whole armor of God that you (the believer in Christ) 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. 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).

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 occurrences of what was described by Apostle Paul; as if Pandora’s Box of Evils, spoken of in Greek mythology, has been unleashed loosening a swarm of evils upon mankind; a prolific source of troubles.

Sodom and Gomorrah
Rising Again

There is an influx of evil in the world as that of Sodom and Gomorrah prior to their destruction.  Apostle Peter wrote: God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemning them with an overthrow, making them an example to those that afterward should live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6).  Have we heeded the warning? Are we witnessing homosexuality, one of the primary evils of Sodom and Gomorrah, rising again with the forces of opposition not as prevailed as in the past?

Sexual perversion sprouting out of such activity has added same sex marriage and transgenderism to its list.  The spread of such perversion has been enhanced through the mainstream and social media, the Internet, the film and television industry.  Thank God for those individuals who have become forces of opposition rather than embrace its continuation!

The Forces of Evil
at Our Doorstep

Immorality is now promoted with any opposition deemed as an enemy to be dealt with.  King 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, is mighty; then I restored that which I took not away (Psalm 69:4).  David, a man of God, knew what 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 well, in an unrighteous setting, it will bring the forces of opposition to one’s doorstep, as in the cast of Lot in Sodom.  Scripture reveals: They (the men of Sodom) said, this fellow (Lot) came to sojourn (stay in our city), and he now seeks to be a judge; we will deal worse with him, than with them (the angels who had came on Lot’s behalf).

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 had been promoted through godly individuals.  The godly structure of many nations has been tarnished by allowing ungodliness to be maximized and nourished.

Godly individuals who have stood for the righteousness of God, without compromise, are slowly dying out; with replacements not of the same caliber, with a progressive movement now capturing the heartbeat of formerly godly nations.  Had the righteousness of God continued to flourish; ungodliness would not have came to the degree it has.

Worldly Culture of Today

There are many whose conscience has been seared; with godly conviction no longer flourishing as before.  Apostle Paul wrote: The Spirit (Spirit of God) speaks expressly, that in the latter times (which we are in) some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared as a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:1-2); this substances that some will have departed from traditional Christianity towards a progressive social gospel that allows 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 said to His disciples: I send you forth (to evangelize) as sheep in the midst of wolves; be you as wise of serpents, and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16).  It was noted 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 (as well as those of today).

Scripture reveals: 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 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. A godly demeanor enhances a godly stance in the boisterous society of today.

A Return to God

There is a need to return to God; a must for any nation, or individual, who have drifted away, having allowed the forces of opposition to be an influence rather than the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God.  Scripture reveals the recipe for return: 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 (restore) their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).  It was noted that this promise was originally given to King Solomon regarding the people of Israel but is applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith.

Scripture revealed what would happen if the people of Israel rebelled and rejected 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 (temple) 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 for judgment being forestalled: 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 willing 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 its 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 repented (relented) of the evil, that he had said that he would do to them; and he did it not (Jonah 3:19).

Peter foretold of judgment yet to unfold: 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 are kept in store against (until) the day of judgment and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:7).  It was noted that just as God once destroyed the earth by water, so it is now reserved unto fire until the Day of Judgment. Today is the Day of Salvation, tomorrow may be too late.

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