On Jan. 6, I watched the United States in a state of confusion. You probably saw it too. As a Christian who believes the Bible, I know there is a right response to those I disagree with and there is a wrong response. I call on all of you who believe the Word of God to test the wisdom you respond with in 2021.
Christians should operate with wisdom from God and not with selfish and harmful wisdom. The Bible says in James 3:13-18 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descended not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
I watched as one man gave an interview about his breach of the Capitol building. As I listened to his reasoning (his wisdom) for this action, it was not clear, it was not philosophical, it was simply a response driven by his feelings about the election. The man said that others, individuals who had unlawfully breached the Senate floor with him, were calling for those gathered to pray. Prayer? A man or woman breaking the law to pray in the Capitol is certainly not using wisdom from God.
Feelings are powerful and feelings are a prime tool of the Enemy — I don’t mean a political or governmental enemy — I mean the enemy few Christians have had their eyes on for too long: Satan. Please hear my warning correctly, I believe in freedom, the constitution and honest elections. However, I am against the type of wisdom Christians have been seduced by for far too long. A wisdom that joins a good cause with a bad attitude. You may hate me for saying it, but it is found every day in the talk radio shows many listen to. It is in the news channels you watch and in the things people post and tweet. Below the profanity-filled rants of these men and women is a wisdom that has subtly stripped many Christians of joy, peace, and the ability to listen to anyone other than themselves.
Ashli Babbitt, a 14-year Air Force veteran, was shot and killed. Her mother-in-law said in a statement, “I really do not know why she decided to do this.” How very sad that individuals who know better have been seduced by wisdom that is not from God. Hundreds of people disobeyed the law, convinced they were doing something good and right. They were mistaken when they entered the Capitol. Bad wisdom results in confusion.
Christians must speak up against such foolishness. The Bible has a warning about satanic wisdom: “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descended not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” That’s what you saw — the fruit of bad wisdom. Confusion and evil at work.
There is a better way Christian friends. Please let our community see wisdom from God through you! Satan’s wisdom observed in a Christian will blind men from seeing that Jesus Christ died on the cross for them. That Jesus alone can bring freedom from sin, guilt and shame. The Bible continues: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
What kind of wisdom will you listen to in 2021? Is it wisdom that produces confusion? If you like the fruit? Plant the seed. Dislike the fruit? Plant something else. Wisdom’s source will eventually be seen.
Pastor Frank Finney
New Life Baptist Church, Franklin
