Vexing of Our Souls?

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Here’s a post that you may not agree with and how do I know that might be the case? Simply because I posted a few of these thoughts on a social network when I simply asked the question: “Does anyone else ever feel biblically vexed by what’s going in the world??”

Here are a few of the responses I received:

• Not a bit. It all makes perfect sense.
• Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy (GOD’s word) isn’t vexing to true believers !!!!!!!! End time signs are obvious to all but those with reprobate minds.
• Absolutely, but praying for a real revival. #Godcandoit
• The falling away is happening. It is real but so many are blinded, lost & embracing the darkness. Keep looking up.
• Noah’s day. It is becoming more & more like the days of Noah.
• Yes. It seems each new day brings another more outrageous but accepted behavior. Example from yesterday: it is now ok to defecate & camp out anywhere in San Francisco. It is now legal to do so. Stay in the WORD.
• Beginning of end times. Is your soul ready?
• Nothing happens without purpose.
• Not at all. In fact, the Bible is clear this would happen.
• Prayer is our most powerful weapon against this evil. We all know who wins in the end. Pray may mitigate the severity of our sins as a nation.

Amazing how some can so misinterpret what I thought was a fairly clear question. Some understood what I was asking, while others seemed to not get it. So I took the time to go into a bit more deeply. My concern is the level of evil that is becoming more prevalent in society. When I was a kid, this kind of unchecked insanity was rare. It was fringe and no one took any of it seriously. Maybe that was part of the problem that allowed it to become as it is now.

Certainly, I’m extremely aware of what the Bible says about the End Times and how difficult those times will be for the average Christian. In fact, I’ve not only written numerous books on the subject, but have written articles on it that have appeared here and elsewhere. I’ve often pointed to 2 Timothy 3:1-5 where the apostle Paul outlines to his protege Timothy, exactly how bad society will become as the world moves closer to the return of Jesus. It is a frightening peek at what is in store for global society as this world heads toward judgment with God as Judge.

What I see happening in the world today is a direct fulfillment of what Paul and many others in Scripture wrote about as they looked ahead to the end times of today, as given inspiration by the Holy Spirit. Evil has been given the lead and because of it, insanity is creating a new society where up is down and right is wrong. This is becoming the new normal. This isn’t new because it existed in Old Testament and New Testament times. However, I believe it is far more prevalent today because of technology and how it has made the world that much “smaller.”

Years ago, when we lived in California, Prop 8 came to the ballot. This was the proposition that people voted on to determine whether or not gay marriage should be legalized. When I was a kid, the crime of sodomy was still on the books, though often ignored. But in California, gay activists had determined that they wanted to be treated equally under the law with respect to marriage. They said all they wanted was civil unions that would allow them to enjoy the benefits of marriage. That was it, they said.

The first attempt to pass Prop 8 failed. The gay community went back to their drawing table, revamped the proposition and it was placed again on the ballot at the next election. That time, it passed. Immediately, lawsuits were flying and ultimately, California’s supreme court led by a gay man ruled that Proposition 8 was legal. Ultimately, we know that during the Obama administration, SCOTUS ruled in favor of gay marriage throughout the United States.

What has been the result of that? We are now seeing more and more people who say they “identify” as another gender. These people are being pushed to the front with in your face antics that are designed to normalize this type of thinking and anyone who does not go along with it will be ostracized from society. Not only are we seeing more and more men identifying as women entering women’s sports (and ultimately destroying it), but we are being told there are far more than two genders. There is no science to back that up; merely psychology.

Young children are being taught that sex organs have little to do with how a person sees themselves. While they might have male gender attributes, they can easily see themselves as females. It’s all so “fluid.”

We have transgenders/drag queens reading books to young, impressionable children in our public schools and to speak against this is to be labeled with some type of “phobia.” The goal is to shut down any dissension. The Left are masters at this and for too long, conservatives really haven’t shown any true resistance to the Left’s advances.

We’ve seen the Left come out full force in favor of abortion (murder) all the way up to the moment of birth and in some cases, even after the child is born but might survive an abortion. Let it die. Hold its head in a bucket of water until it drowns. It doesn’t matter for the Left as long as it’s done. THen turn around and sell the baby or its parts to the highest bidder. Don’t believe me? Research it.

We’ve seen the rise of pedophilia and most recently, a movement to make everyone believe that someone who identifies as a pedophilia was actually born that way, therefore any attempt to change them is a crime against their person.

So, abortion on demand is the norm. Transgenderism and pedophilia are becoming the norm. One would think that the same people opposed to conservatism and Christianity would be opposed to Islam since Sharia law forbids homosexual relations and women’s rights. Yet, this is not the case and why? Because both the Left and radical Islam have the same goal where Christianity is concerned: to eliminate it.

We have people today who firmly believe that President Trump is a constant liar; that he colluded first with Russia but now needs to be impeached over the Ukraine issue, in spite of the fact that he did nothing wrong. Joe Biden and his son Hunter actually did something wrong where Ukraine is concerned yet they are being given a pass at the moment. Will they be brought to justice? Hard to tell.

These same people dutifully ignore the actual FACTS that Ukraine attempted to help Hillary win the election [1]

We have a sham impeachment trial happening in Congress that officially began today at 10:00am. Where will it end? I think it will be seen for what it is though the House may well vote to actually impeach the president. However, I don’t think it’ll get passed the Senate. It’s all a waste of time and taxpayer dollars, but that’s the corruption that is Congress, made up of people who have been bought and paid for by lobbyists and wealthy donors who want things to go their way.

It appears Rep. Adam Schiff lied when he said he does not know the name of the “whistleblower” since that name was left unredacted in released memos. He lies with a straight face though, I’ll give him that.

Society is desperately sinking, plagued with evil so pungent and repugnant, so anti-Christian that it boggles the mind for the average Christian who takes the time to consider the ramifications of it. This is not the world I grew up in (and I’m only 62). It has not only lost its balance but it has turned completely upside down.

And yes, it has all been clearly foretold by God in His Word. But knowing this, should we take on an “Oh well, God’s got it under control so I don’t have to worry or fret about anything” approach?

On one hand, we should not worry at all because God is in control and things are unfolding as He has determined they will unfold. On the other hand, how can an authentic believer go through this life and not be at all vexed, troubled, or at least perplexed about what is happening in society?

Lot lived among evil, godless people in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 13). He chose that life. After the two angelic messengers visited the city, Lot encouraged them to stay with him and not remain in the town square overnight because he knew the violence that would ensue against them.

The homosexuals of the town heard about these two visitors and stormed Lot’s home. Lot decided to offer his two virgin daughters to the homosexuals so that they would not commit the wicked deeds they were intending to commit (Genesis 19). Lot’s offer was refused.

Eventually, the angels blind the homosexuals so that they couldn’t find Lot’s door. Lot, with his wife and two daughters, escaped from the area into the mountains allowing the angels to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot’s daughters both got impregnated by their drunk father and gave birth to two nations that hate Israel. Same thing happened with Abraham.

Lot was not a guy anyone would’ve considered “righteous” simply because of the choices he made. Yet, the apostle Peter calls Lot “righteous.”

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (2 Peter 2:7-8 KJV)

Peter said that Lot had been “vexed” because of the way people around him lived (“conversation” includes speech and actions in life). Peter also said Lot was “righteous” certainly not by his own acts but because of Lot’s faith (however small) he exhibited in God and seen in obedience to God.

Paul himself was seriously vexed in spirit over what he saw in Athens.

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. (Acts 17:16 ESV)

Being “vexed” means being internally troubled by something outside one’s self. It should cause true believers to actually do something. In Lot’s case, he tried to mitigate the situation by offering his two virgin daughters, which in my mind, was reprehensible. However, in Lot’s mind, that solution seemed better than the rampant and violent homosexuality that surrounded him.

Regarding Paul, his “vexed” or provoked spirit, led him to also do something about it.

So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.… (Acts 17:17 ESV)

What are we Christians doing today? Sure, many of us are fighting the good fight of patriotism. We support President Trump and want what is best for the United States of America. Other Christians in foreign nations are trying to do the same thing.

But shouldn’t we also be using our frustration, vexation and feeling provoked within to bring the Gospel message to the masses who so desperately need it? Shouldn’t this be our reaction to the deep-seated hatred emanating from the godless Left?

There is coming a time (during the Tribulation), when persecution will be extremely high. This will result in the martyrdom of “multitudes” of believers (Revelation 6:9-11). This is remarkable to me. In spite of or because of the increased level of persecution against God and Christians, millions will become saved during the upcoming Tribulation and will die because of their faith!

Are we, as Christians, to self-reliant? Are we too set in our ways? Are we taking too much for granted? Do we not extend our hearts out enough to the lost? Are we adept at fighting politically but fail in the area of loving those who are on their way to hell?

Only you can answer those questions about yourself and I’ll do the same for me. It’s just food for thought. Thanks for your time.

[1] https://www.grassley.senate.gov/sites/default/files/constituents/2017-07-20%20CEG%20to%20DOJ%20%28Ukraine%20DNC%20FARA%29.pdf

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective