Most of us have heard on no few occasions (particularly when dealing with politics) expressions like, “The world has gone crazy!” or “That’s just insane!”. These assessments aren’t just perfunctory euphemisms. They are quite accurate. To be more specific, they can be reduced to this very factual conclusion: “The entire world is insane”.
This isn’t merely a subjective opinion or a politically motivated conjecture; the world is insane. How do we know that? The Bible says: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
As we examine this passage, we see that the believer is of a different spirit than the world. The world is in bondage to the “spirit of fear” (among other things): “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).
We need to note that “fear” is an extremely powerful motivator. Mankind continually lives in the grip of the fear of death and is motivated thereof: (speaking of Christ) “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:15). Fear has torment: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
This means that those “in the world” are motivated directly or indirectly by fear. A key point is that being in fear also means that worldly people are never in peace. So, when dealing with worldly people, we are dealing with “un-peaceful” people of a different spirit who the Bible describes as being “natural men” (i.e. men who are not spiritually minded) who are of an “unsound mind” (which may and which can deteriorate to greater degrees and depths of unsoundness).
They are what the Bible calls “carnally-minded” (i.e. their thoughts are un-Godly, worldly, and fleshly and without the mind of Christ). They cannot understand the wisdom, word, and knowledge of God. In fact, these things that are now natural to the believer are foolishness to them: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
It is vital that we remember just who and what our insane adversaries are and what they are not. They are not and cannot be Godly (i.e peaceful, loving, longsuffering, patient, gentle, good, meek); they are of the very darkened world that is without all of these spiritual attributes. They cannot think, attain to, or abide in the things of peace. Again, they think the peaceful things of God are foolish and will think that believers are fools to be despised.
No amount of debate can convince them because it is impossible to convince someone who is already convinced of something else. This calls to mind the old adage: “He who is convinced against his will is of the same opinion still”. They will not debate to find bottom line truth that resolves to peace. No amount of truth will be allowed to interfere with their narrative because they are not seeking truth but have other motivations and agendas. Rather, they will debate to win and to conquer being implacable of heart.
A quick side note: this is the dynamic seen with lawyers. They do not debate to arrive to truth. They debate to win. “Truth” has nothing to do with anything and means nothing to them because, according to worldly teaching, it is only relative and situational.
The author recalls reading about a law professor who taught his students to never allow their conscience to interfere with winning even when they knew that their client was guilty. In other words, the conscience needed to be “turned off”. Sound familiar? This condition is found in scripture: “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2).
To avoid the truth, they re-define any matter or subject (e.g. civil rights) and substitute their ideas as the correct definition and standard reference. They also will not reveal what those complete definitions are in their fullness lest their agenda come to light. In other words, their definitions are invariably “partial truths” and are invariably self-contradictory (e.g. “We want peace and will kill, steal, and destroy until we get it”).
They use highlighted slogans (e.g. “Hope and change) and “group think” wording (“Power to the People”) to incite people to fight for their cause. There is neither peace nor sanity in such “un-truth”; it only makes sense to the deceived and deluded carnal mind.
The Bible gives us a description of our adversaries but notice that one of the adjectives is “implacable”: “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful” (Romans 1:29).
The definition of implacable: [im-plak-uh-buh l, -pley-kuh-] adjective
1. not to be appeased, mollified, or pacified; inexorable:
an implacable enemy (Dictionary.com)
This is a most serious issue with our foes because, again, they are not seeking bottom line truth. Since Christ is “the Truth”, they are not seeking Him but rather their own agenda. Instead, they seek nothing less than the subversion of and total destruction of all that we believe in. It is the only way that they may institute their “truth” (i.e. their agenda to fundamentally change/destroy our country and its foundational truths).
In its simplest form, because they are of the darkness of this world, they are literally fighting for their lives. Light usurps and destroys darkness and we are the light of the world. Light makes known their evil and darkness and men love darkness rather than light.
They are of their father, the Devil, who was a murderer from the beginning. The Bible says: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). The fact that they, whose consciences have been seared with a hot iron, demand to slaughter babies in their mother’s wombs should be convincing enough for anyone who has yet to harden their heart to the matter.
They are nothing less than ravenous raging animals. They shouldn’t sound strange since they actually teach that humans are only animals. Isn’t it understandable and acceptable to them that they act like one? Their lack of a conscience is coupled with the fact that they are without natural love which gives way to a philosophy which states that “the end justifies the means” and “any opposition must be destroyed”. They squelch freedom of speech of all opponents, seek to enslave the population (under the guise of “freedom” and using big government as final arbiter of freedom), and have an utter disregard for peace, rule of law, the Constitution/Bill of Rights/Amendments, righteousness, and humanity. They call “evil” good and “good” evil by hijacking the very definition of both and substitute their own meanings and words. The shall “overcome” so that they can rule. They know that, in this world, you are either the ruler or the subject/slave.
Our adversaries are convinced beyond repentance that all believers are weak minded homophobes, racists, fascists (the definitions of which have all been constructed), who are hate-filled narrow-minded racists and bigots (according to their definitions). They have no love neither mercy towards us whom they believe should be locked up for the good of society and our own selves.
They are, by scriptural definition and their demonstrated demeanor throughout the years, without the spirit of a sound mind. They are insane and incapable of both “critical thinking” and sound logic (and have even garnered unto themselves the unflattering sobriquet, “loony liberals”).
What is the peace-loving believer to do? What do you do when you desire the best for you country and its people and you know that you have an enemy that is implacable, incorrigible, completely brainwashed, and deluded? If we keep in mind the fact that principles of the Kingdom of God are simple enough for a child to understand, then the answer becomes obvious; as much as is possible, we remain in peace with all men (Rom. 12:18 and Heb. 12:14).
It’s all about “peace” so that we may abide in the “Prince of Peace’. Why is that important? Because, where peace is, God is. Where God is, protection is. Abiding in Christ means that we are abiding in the fullness of His grace (Christ if full of His grace: John 1:14) and are abiding in all His covenant promises.
To abide in peace is also to protect our soundness of mind. If we are not going to be “doers of God’s word but hearers only”, then we are at risk of losing our sanity.
There are three important points to help us maintain our peace and our sanity that we may be victorious against a savage enemy. The first is fighting the warfare in our minds and bringing into captivity all thoughts to peace (2 Corin. 10:3-5). Our thought life is ours to control and not God’s. In other words, He isn’t going to wave a magic wand over us and give us peace in our minds. His word has commanded us to fight that battle and to win it. We must always be “clear headed” in all things lest we are lured into operating on the Devil’s turf of darkness.
What are we to think? The Bible is clear on the matter: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). If we mentally dwell on the acts of the enemy and other default pressures of the world, we will only stoke the fires of fear. We will be motivated by our fearfulness which will only make matters worse for us; we will have no peace.
Let’s bring this into a “political perspective”; we are daily being hammered with the insanity of the world and its attempts to destroy all rational things and all good things. If the believer mentally dwells on “these things”, it will engender fear; it’s supposed to do exactly that. A fearful foe will be an easily defeated foe; it’s a simple rule of warfare.
Giving excessive heed to the “word of the world” will absolutely disrupt the peace of God. If we displace the peace of God with the “un-peace” of the word, we will be defeated. The Bible covers this subject in no uncertain terms: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7) and “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15 ). Without this peace, we are defenseless.
These are no stand-alone scriptures. We must obey all of God’s word all of the time for any scripture to be effectual. This means that peace doesn’t just happen on its own; God isn’t going to wave a magic wand for us to have it neither is it an impartation as some would suppose (e.g. Dr. J. Vernon McGee). Believers are “trees of the Lord’s planting that bring forth our (peaceable spiritual) fruit in dues season” (Ps 1:1-3). Christ is the vine and we are the branches who bear fruit. In fact, we are required to bear peaceable fruit (John 14:3-4).
Peace is a fruit of the human spirit (Gal. 5:19-21). So, the word of peace (i.e. the word of God is a seed – Mark 4:1-20) must be sown in order to get a “crop”. That means, among other things, that we must think on the things of peace or we will sow the wrong crop and reap the wrong harvest. This “sowing and reaping”: dynamic is to bring our mind and soul into peace so that they are in alignment with our inner spirit man. That way, we are not a “house divided” and are an integral and whole person (understanding that a house divided cannot stand and is easily defeated).
And, we must defend that peace with all alacrity. The Apostle Paul instructs us on the matter: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
It doesn’t take much to notice that this reference requires an action. We must be “doers of God’s word and not hearers only, being deceived” (James 1:22),. So, we must discipline our thought life deliberately and continuously. We are in a never-ending spiritual warfare and cannot win unless we are fighting and overcoming to the end. Victory is unobtainable if we are on the enemy’s un-peaceful turf and playing by his rules of warfare. Defeat is inevitable unless we obey the word of the Lord.
Our hope is anchored in the knowledge that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God (2Corin. 10:3-5); it is an assurance of victory when God is involved in anything. However, the believer must not stand idle while the full armor of God sits quietly in the corner awaiting our usage. He is to “fight the good fight of faith” and do so until arriving to peace. Then, that peace must be kept and maintained and guarded against the insanity of the world; keeping our peace is part and parcel of the fight for, without peace, there is no victory. This is also to remember that, where peace is, Christ is and, where Christ is, power and all grace, and blessings are and it is the position of assured victory (i.e. there are no provisions for failure in the Bible).
Wisdom is the next principle of warfare. Because we are to be “peace-ians” who abide in Christ, the Prince of Peace, our strategic focus must be on wisdom. The Bible says: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). This passage is one of the powerful keys to victory and it is part of the reasoning for why the Bible also tells us: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).
Because the position of peace is the position of power, wisdom is key to victory. Notice that you cannot separate wisdom from peace. A peaceful person is a wise person. You can even say this: your peace level is your wisdom level and vice versa. Also noticeable is that you cannot abide in Christ without wisdom which is “first pure (Christ is pure and holy) and peaceable (he is the Prince of Peace). Remember, where Christ is, victory is because all things that pertain to life (including warfare) and Godliness (including and especially peace) are “in Him”.
When we get “understanding”, we have the knowledge of how to maintain our peace. For instance, the Bible says: “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly” (Proverbs 14:29). You can even say the one without knowledge exalts defeat.
The Bible confirms this principle: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). How can you become slow to wrath? You get wisdom and understanding with all your ability.
Think about it: the current political environment is driving people to unheard of anger and wrath and provoking them to do things they have not done prior to now (except perhaps in some small numbers). How do you avoid becoming a part of that wrathful and un-peaceful and often violent dynamic? You obey God’s word so that you arrive to and then maintain your peace of mind and spirit.
It is incumbent upon the believer to be a “spiritual warrior” who is led of the Spirit of God and who allows the peace of God to rule in their heart and mind (Phil. 4:7). We are commanded to get wisdom and to keep that wisdom with all diligence (Prov. 4:5-7). Our Lord will lead us into and out of battle as victorious overcomers. We should be like the Apostle Paul who, though beset with evil and often encumbered with trials and tribulations, fought the good fight of faith by remaining in Christ by remaining in peace.
We must note that all who live Godly [i.e. peacefully], in Christ shall suffer persecution/tribulation (2 Tim. 3:10-13). But, those who are obedient to the Master and His commandments (noting that all of the words that proceed out of the mouth of the King are commandments) shall overcome and shall prevail in all things.
The conclusion to this matter is that we must enter into the peace of God and remain there by fighting the good fight of faith to do so. We cannot do that without being filled with the word of peace which also brings “hearing” and hearing brings faith (making note that your peace level is also your faith level as they are congruent). What this means is that there can be no winnable warfare if we are not first resolved to peace and then remain there. The priority is not winning the battle against the enemy; the priority is entering into the Sabbath rest of God; winning the battle will ensue because the Lord will be with us and leading us to victory.
We cannot obtain that peace and Sabbath rest without obtaining wisdom (which is first pure then peaceable), knowledge (i.e. the knowledge of God and His word), and understanding (which helps us to maintain our peace). None of this will come into fruition without the “prime directive” of scripture: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”. To seek the Kingdom of God is to seek the Kingdom of Peace and to find the King who is the “Prince of Peace”. It is only “in Christ”, the “Lord of the Sabbath”, that we are victorious.
