How do you see things in our society? I am thinking about some of the moral changes that have taken place over the past few decades.

I would like for you to look at our society, perhaps, our world, through a special lens. I would like for you to make an evaluation. The lens I wish to use involves a prophecy.

The prophet Isaiah was sent to the people of God with a message, a warning.  (Chapter 58) He described the activities of God’s people:

• They sought after God, to know His ways;
• They acted righteous;
• They called on God for justice;
• They were delighted in God’s nearness;
• They fasted and humbled themselves.

Yet, God did not respond. And why?

The people were guilty of strife and wickedness. They oppressed their fellow man and did not share with the homeless and poor. Then Isaiah revealed:

   Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,

      And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. (59:2)

Among other sins was the lack of justice, and no one was astonished that no one interceded for the oppressed. (59:15-16) Then came the voice of judgment: “According to their deeds, so He [God] will repay.” (59:18)

Then came God’s message of hope for Israel, if they would turn from their sin. (Ch. 60) However, it is what God said next that has captured my attention and caused me to reflect on our society today. Isaiah then turned the focus to the oppressed, but not all who were oppressed.

   The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

      Because the Lord has anointed me

   To bring good news to the afflicted;

      He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

   To proclaim liberty to captives

      And freedom to prisoners;

   To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord

      And the day of vengeance of our God;

      To comfort all who mourn…. (61:1-2)

Later these who were oppressed were referred to as oaks of righteousness, as ones planted in order to glorify God. These were God’s people; the ones who remained righteous in spite of the evil in their land. They were ones who were affected by the sin and wickedness. They were astonished because the ways of God had been abandoned. They witnessed the changes in their society as it degraded due to sin. They understood the necessity of God’s judgment against His people. For these things they mourned.

Yet, they would be comforted because God would make an everlasting covenant with them. Isaiah’s prophecy was looking forward to the new covenant that would be established by the Messiah. God’s promise would bring comfort.

I know that America is not God’s chosen nation as was Israel. Yet, I wonder how the degrading conditions of our society affect you? In recent years we have seen behaviors that God considers sinful to be legalized, promoted as normal, and even presented as good. How does all that affect you? Do you think God will not judge our nation? Do you pray for our nation?

Will you remain faithful? Do you hate sin? Are you deeply affected by the condition of our society? Jesus assured...

   Blessed are those who mourn, 

      for they shall be comforted.

Mark Stinnett

December 26, 2021

I’ll bet you know someone who could be described as assertive or aggressive or overpowering or intimidating or maybe even violent. Not all of those descriptive words are to be taken negatively. For example, there are times when we need to assert ourselves. A person might also make a case for occasional  aggressiveness.

It is a general human perception that strength will motivate people. Bosses, coaches, teachers, military leaders and even parents often assert themselves in their position of authority to get things done. After all, it is often thought that those under their authority need a firm hand.

While that may be true, how often do we resort to aggression, intimidation, etc. to get things done? I am referring more to times when things are not going our way. We want to make adjustments so that our circumstances are more favorable, more to our liking.

Some people are experts at making demands by asking questions. Their questions are crafted in such a way that forces others to be accountable to them. This kind of behavior is nothing more than mental manipulation. In the end, they are just trying to get their way.

Some people are experts at leveraging situations to their own advantage. In a negative sense, leveraging is a way of pressuring others into doing things the way you want. In many cases, leveraging is the same as exploitation, another kind of manipulation.

Another way that some people find success is through the use of force. They want what they want and they will do whatever it takes to get it. They don’t use mental strategies of subtle manipulation; they don’t take the time to leverage things to their advantage. They use simple intimidation or brute force. They want! And now is a good time to get what they want!

We live in a society that teaches assertive behavior. Aggression, manipulation and exploitation are often justified and rewarded when the outcome is success. Yet, when we give in to that way of thinking, we may have second thoughts regarding the poor way we have treated others.

Parents feel the struggle when coaching their children in sports. On the field of play they want their kids to be aggressive: get the ball, score, tear the opponent limb from limb! Yet, at a friend’s birthday party they expect their kids to be cordial, patient and kind.

We all feel the struggle when trying to balance the way we ought to treat people with a way of aggression in order to succeed and getting what we want out of life. We don’t want the reputation of running over the little guy, but we don’t want others to see us as weak or unsuccessful.

Maybe we are going about things the wrong way. Maybe we need to adjust our goals, our desires, our attitudes.

The words of Jesus bring clarity:

   Blessed are the gentle, 

      for they shall inherit the earth. 

                                   —Matthew 5:5

The voices of our society tell us that meekness is weakness. However...

The prophets foretold the Messiah who would be gentle. (Matthew 12:17-21) 

Jesus said that He was “gentle and humble in heart.” (Matthew 11:29) 

Paul appealed to the “meekness and gentleness” of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:1) 

Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit, that is, a natural outgrowth of the Spirit of God dwelling in a Christian. (Galatians 5:23)

Jesus, 

      deity in the flesh...

                                   meek.

What will you gain through aggression??

The meek will inherit the earth.

Are you making the better choice?

Mark Stinnett

January 9, 2022

Have you ever walked out of a restaurant and smelled the savory offerings of a neighboring restaurant, only to think, “Ahh! that smells so good, I’d like to eat that”? Then, of course, you immediately recognize, “But, I just ate.”

That might be a key idea to marketing any product: Appeal to people’s senses so that they want what you have to offer whether they need it or not. It is the idea of creating the sense of a need and then proposing to offer a way to satisfy that perceived need.

When is the last time you saw a magazine ad, billboard or television commercial for fasting!?

Self-restraint just does not seem to be something that will bring happiness. Rather, happiness is to be found by engaging in all things fun and exciting and pleasurable and filling.

As kids my sister and I would ask mom if we could sprinkle salt into the palm of one hand and lick it up. Satisfying…. We had to ask permission because of what dad always said, “Too much of anything is bad for you.” Salt was his ’go-to’ example. “Our bodies need salt, but too much salt can harm your body.” Yet, we craved salt as well as fruit flavored sugar balls (lemon drops and other sweets). We had little self-restraint. That was mom’s job.

As adults we all realize that it is no longer our moms’ job to force self-restraint on us. Yet, for the most part, our society is no friend to self-restraint.

Tolerance: Everyone, including yourself, should be able do as he/she pleases. For many people today, the greatest injustice is in keeping someone from doing what they want to do or telling them to do something they prefer not to do.

From sex to drugs and alcohol to entertainment, “Don’t tell me I can’t have what I want.”

From vaccinations to taxes, “Don’t tell me what I have to do.”

Our society has created for itself an atmosphere of satisfaction that practically abhors restraint. We cannot seem to grasp the contradiction that so many of us live out in our day:

• We eat to our satisfaction with the selection, quantity, quality we want, but destroy our health and find it difficult to function. We are not satisfied.
• We buy, buy, buy; then, rent storage and buy more. We take out loans and work more. All of our stuff consumes our time and our thoughts. The momentary satisfaction fades long before we (or our kids) sell our stuff at huge discounts at an estate sale. We are not satisfied.
• Our society is full of people who follow their fleshly desires for intimacy. (Wait! Let’s call it what it is...sexual pleasure.) Yet, our society is full of people lacking meaningful relationships. The momentary pleasure does not satisfy.
• Money itself does not satisfy.

Self-control...

   It is a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5;23). 

      It is a mark of spiritual maturity (1 Peter 1:6). 

         It is a matter of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7).

Would you like satisfaction that is not fleeting? 

Would you like to be truly filled in a way that has lasting results? 

It will require self-restraint regarding the dazzling promises of happiness in this life. It will require a different perception of what is good. It will require that you ignore your fleshly impulses; that you ignore the gluttonous marketing of our day. You must value true life.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

—Matthew 5:6

Mark Stinnett

January 16, 2022