article by site founder, Connie Rice
Why is society deteriorating with incidences of mass murder, drug overdoses, dysfunctional families, sexual exploitation of children, increased crime and mayhem, and millions of tiny, helpless humans being discarded before birth – some fully developed? What is happening? Could there be a common thread that connects all of these things? For those whose worldview says that people are all inherently good and only do bad things because of their experiences in life, this is quite puzzling. However, for those with a biblical worldview, it is both tragic and preventable – but not puzzling. The Bible teaches that we are all sinners and that none of us can stand before a holy God, but that through Jesus we can be righteous before God. We all have a natural sinful nature that causes us to be self-focused. Children need training to help them learn to think of others and learn how to control their attitudes and behaviors. Those who have not been taught well can be hindered from growing into responsible members of society.
“As it is written: No one is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good.”
Romans 3:10-12
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
School shootings have been fairly recent events with the perpetrators being young. In public school (where God, prayer, and the Bible were removed in the 1960s), students have been taught that they are animals, that they evolved from an ape-like common ancestor (rather than created by God in His image with value and purpose). Interestingly, most public schools try to instill good character traits (being kind, honest, hard-working, generous, etc.), but leave out the source of those traits and why we should strive toward them. Schools have removed effective disciplinary actions and have moved away from a focus on academics to social indoctrination. Some students are promoted who have not completed the required work which leaves them behind in understanding and skill level so that they can become discouraged and eventually just give up on learning.
“In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.”
Ephesians 1:5-14
A huge factor in our culture’s decline is the increasingly high divorce rate where fathers are absent or relegated to a minor role in the lives of their children. Kids need dads who can be a godly male role model and are invested in their lives. On the other hand, some parents dote on their children and cater to their every whim, giving children the false idea that if they want something, they should have it. Imagine their shock and possibly anger when they are hit with the reality that others are not impressed with their entitlement attitudes and lack of respect for authority. On top of that – in recent years, children have been targets of marketing manipulation and tragically, also sexual exploitation and confusion. Many kids in recent decades are medicated with brain altering drugs using a methodology of trial and error. Too many seek acceptance by joining a criminal gang, through promiscuity, and/or through social media. Some seek escape through video games and/or drug use. With Chinese Fentanyl being trafficked by drug cartels and labeled as other common drugs coming through the open border, more young people are dying from overdoses. Our youth are crying out in various ways and desperately need to know that God loves them and created them with purpose. Only He can fill the needs of their souls.
“Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. So He subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind.”
Psalm 107:10-15
The prince of this world (Satan) is having more influence on our culture as God and His Word are being rejected. We are watching what happens when the influence of Christianity lessens and when even many Christians are biblically illiterate, leaving them vulnerable to believing lies that are couched in nice-sounding words. Satan looks for ways to deceive, destroy, and discourage and uses those who even unknowingly promote his plans . A 30-minute DVD, “Worldviews Have Consequences” (scroll down page for trailer) from “David Rives Ministries” (DRM) offers an interesting interview with James Gardner of “Canopy Ministries”. A good article from “Got Questions” is “What does it mean that Satan masquerades as an angel of light?”
“And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
2 Corinthians 11:12-14
Barna Group recently released a study revealing that “Competing Worldviews Influence Today’s Christians”. Let’s not be a patsy for the enemy – let’s develop the discernment that only comes with a strong knowledge of the Bible, letting God’s Word give us the foundation for what is true so we will not be deceived. The next generation needs us to equip them with the truth and how biblical teaching better explains everything we see around us. God created science, so His Word will not go against the actual scientific evidence. It will, however, go against some of the world’s interpretations of the same evidence.
“While I was with them, I kept them in Your name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
Jesus’ prayer for His disciples and us in John 17:12-19
I was an adult before finally getting to the end of myself and crying out to God. I began reading the Bible right away. Having no previous exposure to Scripture, I actually found it helpful to read my daughter’s “Adventure Bible”. My personal recommendation for getting started is beginning with reading the books of Psalms and Proverbs, then the book of John, then the other gospels (Matthew, Mark, & Luke). Then read the books of Acts, Romans, and the rest of the New Testament. The book of Revelation will make more sense if you read the Old Testament first since it references Old Testament prophecies. If you have not read the Old Testament before, it may be easier to read it in chronological order. You can find an online plan at “Bible Study Tools”. If you prefer an app, check out “The Bible Project” reading plans or “YouVersion” or look at chronological Bibles at “Christian Book Distributors”. If you’re interested in starting with a book that gives you a general overview of the Bible, you could try a handbook. or a brief online explanation at “Got Questions”. and/or watch free short overview videos of each Bible book from “The Bible Project” (when I discovered these, I binged watched them). Once you finish reading the Old Testament, reread the book of Hebrews in the New Testament and then read the book of Revelation. There’s helpful resources on “Revelation for Kids: Revelation made simple, for kids and grownups too”.
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:12-17
© Constance Rice 2022
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