THE SPIRIT OF LAWLESSNESS IN AMERICA IS FROM BELOW
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THE SPIRIT OF LAWLESSNESS IN AMERICA IS FROM BELOW
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I believe we are seeing this spirit at work in our nation right now. But before we dismiss it as something that is only affecting “those people out there,” perhaps we need to check our own hearts. Spiritual attacks shift atmospheres. And it’s very easy for us to normalize around our atmosphere. Perhaps the appropriate way to approach this article is this:
“Holy Spirit, please show me any ways that this anarchy spirit is beginning to affect me in my thoughts, attitudes, discernment, or actions. I don’t want any part of it, Lord, and I ask you to show me the truth.”
The Greek word anomia occurs 13 times in the New Testament and it literally means “lawlessness.” As defined in one major Greek dictionary, anomia means “to behave with complete disregard for the laws or regulations of a society — ‘to live lawlessly, lawlessness, lawless living” (Louw-Nida Lexicon). The spirit behind anomia is not from above, but from below.
There is nothing wholesome about anomia, nothing good, nothing positive. Rather, it is evil and destructive, producing chaos, not order, and resulting in destruction. Paul actually describes the antichrist, who is virtually the living embodiment of the devil, as “the man of lawlessness” (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3). When we see anomia, lawlessness, we know who is behind it.
The Spirit of Anomia
The spirit of anomia is not the spirit that emboldens someone to do what is right, even when that means going against the grain of society. That is a spirit of courage, a spirit of submission. And rather than emphasizing rebellion, that spirit emphasizes obedience. As Peter said to the religious leaders of his day, “We must obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29).
Peter did not spit in the face of the religious authorities who wanted him to stop preaching in Jesus’ name. He did not leave their presence and incite a riot. He did not set buildings on fire.
Instead, he and the other apostles said, “With all respect to your authority, when you command us to disobey God, we must disobey you instead. We will always obey our Lord.”
That is the polar opposite of the spirit of lawlessness, a spirit that despises authority and that cultivates chaos. And it is a spirit that is at work throughout America today, leaving a train of destruction in its path. We must firmly resist the spirit of anomia.
Paul wrote these important words in Romans 13, words that we need to put front and center during these times of cultural upheaval.
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. (Romans 13:1–5)
The Higher Authority
We all agree that when a government is set on doing evil, as in Nazi Germany, for example, we resist their evil. But that godly resistance to evil is a far cry from the spirit of lawlessness, a spirit that scorns righteous authority and cultivates a spirit of disobedience.
A society without proper authority will quickly disintegrate, leading to violence, war and collapse.
Even a family cannot operate without proper authority, and children who are not taught to obey their parents end up suffering for it later in life.
God-established parameters are healthy and good. And when the people in authority abuse their privileges, we do not respond with lawlessness. We respond with principled obedience to a higher authority.
Peter described false teachers as “those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority” (2 Peter 2:10). This is a sign of the depth of their corruption.
To say it once more: the spirit that despises authority is from below, not from above.
(Excerpt from The Stream. Article by Michael Brown.)
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Heavenly Father, You are stronger than the forces from below. What is happening right now does not take You by surprise. I humbly ask You to build a hedge of protection around those of us who believe and trust in You. You are our Protector, our Shield, our Healer, and our Provider. Please do not let the evil continue, please intercede. May the evildoers be disorganized in what they are doing, and may their evil be disabled. Thank You, God!
I agree with Dr. Brown . We are reaping the seeds of rebellion sown in our University’s . We need to oppose this spirit of anarchy , with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Father,
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Pv. 14:34). Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). The love of many grows cold as lawlessness increases (Mt 24:12), in our nation. Our souls are tormented over the lawless deeds that we see and hear day after day (2 Pe 4:3) for many are slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness (Ro. 6:19).
Like them, we once presented our members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, but now present our members as slave to righteousness leading to sanctification (Ro. 6:19). Thanks be, to your Son, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). Blessed are we whose lawless deeds are forgiven and whose sins are covered (Ro. 4:7) by the One who remembers our sins and our lawless deeds no more (He. 10:17). Guide us still that we are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose our own stability (2 Pe. 3:17).
We declare, God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Your love covers a multitude of sin (1 Pe.4:8). We pray that those who oppose Your ways would be touched, consumed, and redeemed by Your love. We call sinners to repentance in the name of Jesus (Luke 5:32). Merciful Father soften their hearts so that they turn from their wicked ways, repent of their sins, confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior and find forgiveness through your love (2 Chr.7:14). Should they turn from you, let them be given over until they bow to your love and Lordship.
We declare the Lordship of Jesus Christ over our community and our nation, His presence disarms the enemy and His truth dispels darkness and exposes truth. We, the Ekklesia are united as one nation of many races seeking justice, freedom, and liberty for all. We speak peace to the storm, wisdom to the authorities, love to all.
In the matchless omnipotent name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
I agree that the spirit of lawlessness is from below. Satan is a liar and deceiver. His job is to steal, kill, and destroy. He ultimately destroys the physical body. In the process, he wants to destroy hope, dreams, and everything that is righteous. He uses those with influence because they can lead many to destruction.
I don’t agree about the mandate to close the churches because of the “pandemic”. If the Body of Christ would have continued to remain open and spend time in prayer and intercession, it would have drawn attention that Jesus is the healer. He is greater than disease, social ills, or anything else that rise up in opposition to His word. The Body of Christ is to give direction to the world. How can we do this if we respond to crisis the same as the world; by running and hiding behind closed doors. We have to show that His word is true and He does what He says He does. We cannot just say this, we have to be living demonstrations of this.